I got a set of business cards from Google yesterday and what you see above is it, in their full glory.
I laughed when I first saw them advertised that Google was giving them away for free and yet the 2 minute process to register and get them shipped to me was a bar that was low enough to engage.
And so here they are. But it really has made me think about something I heard a while back:
You’re nobody unless you’re on Google.
Essentially, if you’re not “google-able” and your name isn’t in the top 10 results (should #1 though, right?) then you don’t “exist” from the online perspective.
Take that for what you will, but there’s an interesting truth to it, especially from our generation where the online world is so much of what we do, and subsequently who we are.
This business card is nearly a perfect representation of what I do and who I am. I’m trying to imagine someone’s response as I hand one of these to them.
Explicitly I’m saying that I’m “findable.” Implicitly I’m stating that the online world is where I am, and if you really want to know who I am, where you can find me, my deets, then you’ll have to go online. You see, the card doesn’t have anything like a typical card; business address, email, telephone, etc. You’ll have to go online.
And, this card matches my very strange personality and sense of humor. But, that’s coincidence perhaps.
All that to say, they only gave me 25 of them to mess around with. I’m not sure I’m going to order more, but what would you do? What do you think?
All good and well until someone who REALLY doesn't like you hijacks your search ranking on Google.
you are so right about that…. i'm scared.
I think I'll get started.
I'd have to say it's a pretty clever idea, but I wouldn't probably give those to anyone if I were you. If you treat giving away a business card like a joke they will treat you like a joke in return..not the brightest idea! I do like them though. Something you can give to your friends as a joke.
What is my ranking on google? Number 10 for my linkedin profile. and if you put in my website title it's the first thing that shows up.
I guess you can take them more seriously if they look like this.
Oh boy. I am getting old faster than I thought. This isn't making a whole lot of sense to me. Business card as advertising…for someone or something else.
!!!
i find biz cards a joke regardless if they are fashionable or awesome.
but, that's just me.
isnt' that brilliant of google?
Yes, the real me appears in four of the first ten positions. But am I the co-founder/ceo of Sputnik, heavy metal musician or the pastor of a church in Ohio? Only one is correct.
not according to google…!
thanks john! this was helpful, i just got my google profile in order, and hopefully optimized it…
http://www.google.com/profiles/ryanwfitzgerald
sweet! Good idea…
yeah i got my free 25 in the mail the other day too. It is an interesting approach, but its true, if my google profile is in place then all they need is right there on my profile.
I think it is cool. I "google" people all the time to find info.
Sweet idea! I don't use my business cards that often… maybe I should redesign mine to look like this… hmm…
these were from google… probably want to design yours around your brand.
True. Maybe something as simple as "grahambrenna.com" (thanks to Ipseity)