And the branding comes full circle

While preparing for BlogHer last year, I was inspired to order business cards for shameless self-promotion. Many of my online buddies went with Moo cards, charming, wee little things that were quite affordable, but I wanted something with a longer shelf life that painted a broader picture of my literary goals. I wanted a business card that screamed from the rooftops that I AM A WRITER.

Aside from my subscription to TypePad's services, it was the first time I had ever put money towards a writing endeavor, so I enlisted the help of a professional--an Indianapolis graphic design firm I work with for my day job--and I shared my dream for the end result. It was Jenny who came up with the idea of highlighting my constant tendency to scribble, and the final product includes the image you see in my new header. For those of you reading via RSS, here's what you're missing:

I updated my design to better compliment the new art (thanks to PB&J for allowing me to use it on the Web), and voila! My first new template in a year and a half.

I've been racking my brain for months on how to freshen this place up, and I don't know why it took so long to think of mimicking my fancy schmancy business card, but the light bulb finally went off, which means I now have a brand. A consistent brand that reflects who I am and what I do, and that brand is my writing style. Literally. That's my John Hancock up there.

Once again, this change couldn't have come at a better time. The more important this site becomes to me, the more I engage with the local blogging community (I just registered for a two-day BlogIndiana conference that takes place in August), the more I talk up the advantages of corporate blogging at work, the more likely it is to go public. It's inevitable. And when that happens, I want to make sure my best foot is forward and that I'm housing my work in a way that makes me proud, however silly some of it may seem. My previous design was the bomb diggity, but it served its purpose. It was time to move on.

Now, when I'm at my ten-year high school reunion Saturday night, I can give out this URL and not feel like an idiot. Though the dorkitude associated with bringing business cards to such a function will probably cancel that out.

Comments

[Liza]

Nah, you aren't a dork. (At least not because of the business cards! Just kidding!)

Tons of people will bring their cards. How else are you supposed to keep in touch with the newly interesting people you talk with that evening?

[Katie]

Show us the business cards!

Here's a bloggy question - How do you deal with having so much personal (possibly embarrassing) stuff about you on the internet, and then allowing 'real' people to know about it? I always think of post ideas, but then reconsider when I remember that an in-real-life acquaintance or friend might see it someday.

[liz]

while i loved my moo cards, your cards--just by the difference in size and shape--were memorable and delightful. likewise, i love your new header.
go you!

[Lindsey]

I love the new look! Very cool. Very fresh.

Also, you are such a dork! LOL ;-)

[Fraulein N]

I like the new design! It's calming but cute ... if that makes any sense.

[Rachel]

I love the new design!!! It is very Frema!

[Isabel]

I LOVE IT.

and I don't think your a dork for taking business cards to your reunion. I think you're smart.

(And really, you'll give the URL to high school people? You are way braver then I am! I'm proud of you.)

[becky]

Love, love, LOVE the new look, Frema! It's so cute and simple. I absolutely love it.

You have my respect for being brave enough to hand out your URL to your high school friends. I just recently linked mine on my Facebook, and that alone took me forever to build up enough courage.

Good for you!! Have fun at the reunion.

[daddy d]

Good idea about the business card. That is agood net working idea in a good place.

[Jen L.]

Yay, for the fresh new look! A "face lift" every once in a while is nice. It felt so good to do that to my blog. I guess as we change, our blogs will evolve, too.
You should absolutely hand out your cards at your reunion. Once they see one picture of Kara, they are going to be addicted. ;)

[Jen L.]

I just took a second look at your graphic and noticed that it says "your mom-ist." You're officially my hero now.

[Operation Pink Herring]

Aw, the new design is so cute, yet so clean and crisp. LOVE IT. (Says a fellow doodler!)

[moosh in indy.]

Nice digs. I didn't like Moo cards so much, they got lost in all the little crannies and crevices of my bags and purse. And it's true, we now need to see the cards.

[Molly]

Your new header and writer brand is perfect. I notice it even includes "your mom."

[ellinghouse]

I was thinking about going to the conference too....now that you'll be there I just might have to also, like for real now.