Jon Aquino's Mental Garden

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Monday, May 09, 2005

Web-Enabled Business Card: it simply has your name

Call it confident. Call it cocky. The web-enabled business card, shown below, simply has your name. No additional details are required -- they're all on your web page:

IMG_0278

(Note: This only works if a web search for your name brings up your homepage). "But where's your telephone number?" they ask. You reply nonchalantly, "Just google for me" (or whatever your search engine of choice may be).

After you meet someone for the first time, the only crucial piece of information they need is your name ("Dang, what was that person's name again?"). Everything else is available on the web (telephone number, email address, etc.).

It's an unusual business card that provokes curiosity.

14 Comments:

  • "Web-enabled": That's a great term for such the simplest analog device, Jonathan. Works on many levels: it doesn't limit you to any particular employment category, yet it associates you with confidence and clarity. It's also very forward thinking, where something like Google (and the web in general) is the standard for information and networking.

    I've always wanted to create a similar business card (I don't have a business name, nor specific service) but I was going to put my contact info on the back. It would save the (potential) client a little research hassle, (many I deal with still prefer phoning me), but I love the design and reasoning behind yours.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5/09/2005 3:42 p.m.  

  • Hi Jeff - Love your comment. Hmm ... maybe it would be prudent to bow a little to pragmatism and stick the phone number on the back ...

    By Blogger Jonathan, at 5/09/2005 5:12 p.m.  

  • And I love your reference to business cards as "the simplest analog device".

    By Blogger Jonathan, at 5/09/2005 5:14 p.m.  

  • Hi Jason - Yeah, it doesn't always work. I suppose a workaround in your case might be to just have the word "XENTAC" on the card. It's an interesting web identity.

    By Blogger Jonathan, at 5/09/2005 6:05 p.m.  

  • I think this is absolutely brilliant. With an unusual name like mine, this is going on my to do list.

    Thanks!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5/09/2005 6:24 p.m.  

  • Hi Darusha - It's the perfect business card for a technology expert like yourself.

    By Blogger Jonathan, at 5/09/2005 6:28 p.m.  

  • Interestingly, your first name will suffice!!!

    By Blogger Jonathan, at 5/09/2005 6:29 p.m.  

  • Sigh ... there's actually another Jonathan Aquino from Calgary. He's under 10 years old, but already he is on the web for being in the National Spelling Bee ("Favourite Music? Hip-Hop. Hardest Word To Spell? Kierkegaardian.")
    Don't take top spot from me Jonathan!!!

    By Blogger Jonathan, at 5/09/2005 7:16 p.m.  

  • RE: the other Jonathan - he's only 10. I think you should be worried.

    RE: my name - ease of googling more than makes up for having to spell it everywhere.

    PS. I'm no expert, just an interested amateur. I'll be talking about that in a couple of weeks (cheap self-promotion, I know).

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5/11/2005 5:31 p.m.  

  • Stand up for yourself. You are a technology expert.

    By Blogger Jonathan, at 5/11/2005 6:44 p.m.  

  • And yes, I am worried.

    By Blogger Jonathan, at 5/11/2005 6:45 p.m.  

  • policeandthieves ... hmmm... you raise a valid concern.

    By Blogger Jonathan, at 7/26/2005 12:56 a.m.  

  • Google you for your phone number? Right after receiving your business card? Sorry, realistically I don't think I'd bother with the extra step unless your services are irreplaceable. I like the minimal approach though, just add a phone number and I'd be impressed with the rest of the delivery.

    By Anonymous LP, at 7/31/2009 7:15 p.m.  

  • Actually I’ve since changed my mind about these cards. More information is better—saves a step.

    By Blogger Jonathan, at 7/31/2009 8:20 p.m.  

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