It started slowly, this decision to blog. I started a little online journal 4 years ago, and just started writing. I never knew where it would take me, never knew where I would go with it and certainly, NO ONE was reading it, so it was truly just my little spot to write in the world. As the years went on, it became a baby book, a way to document the changes in the kidlet, mark his milestones and tell funny anecdotes about our lives.

Then last year, it all changed. After years of reading about it, and wondering what it would be like, I made the decision to go to BlogHer. My blog was small, not like the “great ones” that I knew attended all of these conferences. I was a social media novice, wasn’t a Twitter subscriber and was completely out of the blogging community, except to lurk and occasionally comment on a post here and there. And once I made the decision to attend my very first conference I was completely overwhelmed. What the HELL was I thinking? Who WERE all of these people? Was I going to feel like a TOTAL loser going to something where I didn’t know a soul? Probably. But hey, I could make friends! I could get on that weird thing called Twitter! I COULD DO THIS!

And so I did. I joined Twitter, I made online friends… good ones in fact. I found a community of women that supported me, rallied around me when I was feeling low and helped when I had questions. I went to BlogHer and had a flippin’ BLAST. It was huge, and if I were to do it all over again I would probably say pick a smaller one first because, WHOA. Overwhelming to say the LEAST. But I loved it. And my goals that I set for myself when I went to BlogHer last year have been met already, only 6 months after I made them. I’m excited by the progress that this little ol’ blog has made and where it could go in the future.

But the one thing that I STILL don’t have a handle on? Business cards. When I went to BlogHer, I had the WORST business cards ever. Like, EVER. I made them up last minute, COMPLETELY unsure of my “brand” and what I wanted them to look like. I basically threw them together and didn’t think that it would make a big difference when I introduced myself to people. *hides head in hands* Thank GOD I have a big personality because my cards certainly weren’t speaking for me. They were straight out of the can, fill in the blanks, a no personality kind of card.

Can I get a re-do please?

Since then I have learned this… A business card says something about you, especially when you are meeting a gazillion and one people at a conference. So make them stand out! Make them your own! And even if you’re not sure about your brand, and don’t have a logo or something that sets you apart, there are certainly ways that you can do it! A fun shape! And different size! Something that makes them think, hrm, this person is COOL! and INTERESTING! and I totally want to be their friend on Twitter/Facebook/wherever. And where to get those cards? Well, a business card printing company is a place to start.

But an even better start? Getting those super cool business cards for FREE! The generous people at UPrinting have given me 250 Business cards to give to one of YOU!

I’m totally jealous and wish that I could win, especially after checking out the cool cards that they have… My personal favorite? The square card with rounded edges… Just don’t steal my idea, ok?

Entering is easy too… just comment below on whether or not you’ll be attending any blogging conferences this year. Additional entries? Like It’s Fitting on FB or Uprinting on FB, Twitter, or Google+!

Good luck!

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