For the last few months, I’ve been asked, “Do you have a business card?” The answer has always been no because:
1) I’m not a businessman
2) It still kind of catches me by surprise when people want to hire me for something, whether it’s kettlebell instruction, blogging, to get something off the top shelf, or to pummel their arch-enemies into oblivion.
But what would my business card say, if I decided I wanted one? Obliviator? Pummel-Man? After some non-thought, I decided I wanted one and acted impulsively.
Some day I might even be brave enough to pass it out.
About 90% ironic...
It’s memorable and it makes me smile. That’s really all that I’m ever after.
But what about you? You get one or two words. “Badass” is usually only one word, but the more I looked at it, the more poorly it read to me, so I went with two.
So you get one or two words to tell us who you are. Pretend you’re making the business card. What are you all about?
Josh
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I’ve started referring to myself as “World Explorer” lately whenever anyone asks me what I do. I’d love to put that on a business card!
Right-brained Scientist.
I combine the traditional “left-brained” analytical and logical approach to science with “right-brained” creativity and intuition.
As an active networker and job seeker, I do have business cards and they do have that written on it just below my name. The whole idea of a tag-line is to have something catchy that draws the reader in and makes them want to ask more about you.
I love it!
I had the same question bouncing around my head lately. I was referred to a really awesome designer/printer in my area and was about to commission some work when I realized “I don’t know what I want these business cards to communicate”.
So far, the best I’ve come up with is:
R. Glass
Creative
I don’t know if there’s anything better out there. Creativity is always my favorite thing that someone can have going for them.
‘Buried Treasure’
Cos I haven’t come close to fulfilling my potential.
Though this might only work if I was handing my business card out to a bunch of pirates… arrrr..
Arrr indeed!
Kira Clarke: Slow Learner
Better to learn something slowly than not at all
I think yours should say “Missile Command.”
I’m in the process of getting round to ordering some new business cards.
Whilst I like the sound of ‘Bad Ass’ it’s more about what you are than who you are.
I quite like the idea of ‘value magician’.
I’m an accountant, interim manager and blogger. I help people create value.
That’s very clever. I like it. But I’ve got to disagree, I’m a bad ass when it comes to compassion, blogging, insecurity, empathy, kettlebells, deadlifting, family time, friendship, and humility:) All of those things are who I am, not what I am.
Invisible Mentor
Should’ve known:)
In the exit session of a graduate course in Art Therapy, it was the professors habit to “sum up” her final impression of each of us. Many were one word statements, “Fearless,” “Beginning,” “Stalwart.” They were, I believe, a way to help us see ourselves as we trudged onward. She would then interpret–but only a little.
I was last, an old lady student–close to the professor’s own age, our early 50′s being much more than most other students.
“‘Old Soul’, I always have the sense that you’ve been here before. And when you assume that, how powerful you will be.”
Old soul.
Very cool.
“Quiet Heart” ~
Christopher, you’re a good man and a very nice one:)
Rockabilly Librarian or Kettlebell Goddess—I can’t decide which. Superhero would be good too, thanks for asking! Ooh! I know! FABULOUS CHICK! Yeah! That’s what mine would say! FABULOUS CHICK!
How about Senora All Caps?
Yeah, I could go with that one too!
That’s tough. For me – “Husband, Father.”
Perfect.
Mine would say, “Extreme Encourager”… and it would have a phone number, or email, or website so the person in need of encouraging could get in touch with me.
I think you got it. And maybe your tagline could be something like “Encouraging you with a vengeance. Submit.”
Depends on the hat I’m wearing. Bodybuilder, Web Developer, Explorer, Author…..
Hmm… maybe the only way to unite all those is ‘Distracted!’
Ted, I want to see a picture of your bodybuilding hat.
Passionate Lover
YES.
That’s a pretty cool question, albeit not an altogether straight-forward one for this indecisive Libran (which is not exactly what I would want to advertise). Perhaps, just:
Multidimensional.
Runners-up might be:
Damn Good Friend
Helping Hand
Animal Rescuer
Calls it Like She Sees It & Might Piss you Off (clearly I’m not following directions at this point).
Those are all pretty good.
This is actually easy – “Crazy Person” But in the fun, lovable crazy kind of way.
Only someone with a sideways avatar could make such a claim.
A few years ago, my boyfriend got me some half-joking business cards. I’m a cognitive neuroscience grad student, so my cards say “Brain Detective: Private fMREye.”
We thought it was funny.
You were right:)
Wonderful challenge Josh, and I like what others have proposed for themselves. A 1-2 word limit forces you to think hard, to focus and distill – and the result may change over time.
But at least, for today, for me:
– Seeker.
Seeker as in Harry Potter? Or as in that song by The Who? Oh, I’m so confused!
haha – this is why you have to let yourself revise. There was something in the back of my little brain saying, hmmmm, I think that word’s been used before and not in the way I mean. But “seeker” sounded better than “one who constantly researches” or “library addict” or “socially inept information hunter.”
Hmm…lots of things are going through my mind, but in the end I think I’ve come down to this:
Liz
Unexpected Talents
Do tell!
Oh, I’m just always surprising people with some talent or experience. People like to put others into categories and assume things about them, and I’m constantly breaking the mold.
As far as specific talents – not sure if you ever listened to the singing link I posted a few months ago, but that’s one that often surprises people. But it’s not the only one.
Josh, here’s the link I posted before when you asked me to send you a video of me singing. No videos, but I have an audio file.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeyyidg/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/lizanneh_always.mp3
I gave this some serious thought a few weeks ago when I saw one of those “news of the weird” stories where the police in a small Welsh community had called in a “warlock” to consult on a case with apparent connections to black magic.
If someone handed me a business card that said “Consulting Warlock,” I’d probably take him pretty seriously.
I think Julian Sands had one of those in the late 80s.
Mine would say “Professional Hedonist”. I’ll let you fill in the blanks.
The one that sums up the many facets is…
Web-weaver .
I’ve been lurking (and recommending) your blog for weeks. It’s great. Almost too great because I get a little jealous when I read it.
My general card would say would say
“Student of Life”
My pretentious housewife (is that possible?) would say.
“Domestic Artist”
The girl who kicks ass in her garage would say.
“Scrawny Beasty”
Thanks for the laughs and excellent writing.
Jenn, if i was scrawny, I would steal Scrawny Beasty. That is probably the best thing I’ll hear today.
Today would be…Chronic Procrastinator.
nerdy art school reformist, Shauna Palmer, plays an artist who’s dreaming of superstardom. Creating art mainly at night and alone in her studio while jamming to the sound of various rock metal gods, she has acquired the moniker, Rockstar. Able to leap incredible art deadlines in a single night with little more than paint, glue and doodads…she astounds her grunge art community on a semi-regular basis.
Shauna Palmer
Rockstar
Shauna: Why not “Gluegun Rockstar” ?
I like that:)
you’re right it’s too predictable…i’ve changed my title to doodle wrapper. nuff said.
Mine would say:
Persistent Life-lover
Tempted to say “Extrovert Wannabe” but definitely okay with “Just Me.”
I’ve worn many “hats” in my day…writer, body builder, business owner, personal trainer, physical therapist, “shoulder to lean on person”…I’m thinking maybe:
“PhysioMental Terrorist”…
Believer extraordinaire
Kick-ass Scribe! Yeah…I want a card with that on it! What do you think Josh?
Better yet, I can go with what my former boss called his security team: “Door Monster”! I might not get any clients but it will be worth seeing the look on people’s faces!
“Professional Amatuer”
or
“Sock Puppet Proctologist”
“Life Master” … because I AM.
Colin Wright
Hungry
(at the moment, this has multiple meanings…time for breakfast!)
“Joy Follower”!
Thanks for asking the question. And your business card certainly gives me a more fun idea of who you are!
Thanks Michelle. “Joy follower” is pretty good, but I want to see it change into “Joy leader:)”
My answer for this changes from day to day.
Today it would be:
Always Learning
Hi Josh,
Great to meet you at our Seth Godin event. This is a great post.
I’ve been thinking about this because “Startup Princess” is my company and often its become a title for me as well but it’s really not “who I am” because I am more than that and my business doesn’t define me entirely.
Today my business card would say:
Kelly King Anderson
Open
Kelly, did you see the picture of us from the event? My hand is just sitting on your shoulder in a big fist, like a lunchbox. It’s pretty awkward looking:)
It was great to meet you too. You put on a great, great show.
Suzannah Windsor Freeman
Writer Extraordinaire
What? Too optimistic??
Not optimistic enough:)
Word Lifter
I don’t know why but the two words that popped into my head were
Jennifer le Roux
Life Expectant
I’m not sure why, and pretty sure I’m not pregnant!
my favorites so far have been “Scrawny Beastie” and
“Consulting Warlock”!!
Very interesting…
Little Giant
Testarossa
The Flash
Testarossa is indescribably awesome.
“Chocolate Marshmellow” -cuz I can seem both hard or sweet on the outside, my my closest and dearest know how mushy I am inside!
I’m changing mine to burnt marshmallow.
I think mine would be one word: Believer
My husband has Fearless Leader on his business cards.
Hmmm!
Good question there Josh. I will put down what popped into my head and not analyze it.
Dragon Song
Just subscribed to our RSS feed and saw this. Laughed.
I have the same response when people ask for a business card… I don’t have one either.
And I’ve gone through the same “what if i did what would it say?” thoughts.
one word: Impossible
or more than one: What are you waiting for?
All right Kendall, go get your business card. It’s time.
I think this one is pretty good, only one work though.
-Stronger.
In all aspects of life, continually getting better…
one word*
Albert Camus – I live in wonder
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