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Last weekend I presented a breakout session at a writing conference. I arrived in time to register and had a snack before the opening session, then headed into the auditorium with my plum-colored backpack, a rather chunky bag I take everywhere. It serves as my mobile office, so it\u2019s filled with a wide range of items.\n\nI found a seat next to an attendee and flopped my bag down by my feet. We introduced ourselves, and I asked what kind of writing she did. She asked about my writing life, and I described some of my work and mentioned that I was a writing coach.\n\nAt that moment I thought, \u201cOh, I should get out my business cards.\u201d I thought I\u2019d hand her one and then tuck the little container in my jacket pocket so I could easily whip them out.\n\n\n\nI said, \u201cHold on. I\u2019ll get you a card.\u201d I unzipped the section of my bag where they should be, but\u2026no cards. Hm. I shoved my hand into every little compartment\u2014and this bag has a bunch of slick nylon sleeves and sections to help segment and organize stuff, so I started to make a lot of commotion for just one person.\n\nShe sat there bemused while I zipped and unzipped every section of my backpack multiple times, hoisting it back up to my lap to peer down inside.\n\nI offered a goofy commentary as I rooted around the contents justifying items like the plastic fork, knife, and spoon I always carry because I\u2019m often grabbing food on the go when I have that bag. I\u2019m telling you, people often forget to include the cutlery in to-go bags, so it\u2019s totally worth it.\n\nThen I saw a card. Yes! I reached down to whip out the one lone card I spotted tucked in a small pocket.\n\n\u201cHere!"\n\n\u201cGreat!\u201d she said.\n\nBefore I handed it over, I flipped it around to see the front. Oh. It was somebody else\u2019s card I\u2019d shoved in there at another event.\n\n\u201cUm, that\u2019s not mine.\u201d Back to the bag. More zipping and unzipping.\n\nThis writer saw all my cords and pens, my lip balm, gum, tissues, Post-It notes, and a single-serving packet of dijon mustard, \u201cnot for retail sale.\u201d All that, but no business cards\u2014at least none of my own.\n\nHere I was at a writing conference, talking with a writer\u2014I should have an abundance of business cards! I should have dozens\u2014no, I should have a box of a hundred at the hotel room and an extra baggie right here in my bag stuffed with 50 to replenish the cute little business card holder that was nowhere to be found.\n\nFor at least five full minutes I rummaged through that bag, but finally, I gave up. I\u2019m sure the other writer was relieved. I zipped shut each compartment, stunned that I\u2019d forgotten.\n\nI mean, the business card is key. You meet someone. Shake hands. Chat about writing. Then you hand them your business card. You\u2019re discussing your work, and they\u2019re holding your brand.\n\n\n\nThe business card is tangible and memorable. It\u2019s low-tech, high-touch. It\u2019s an open door, an invitation, a welcome mat of sorts. \u201cContact me any time,\u201d the card seems to say. \u201cI\u2019m glad our paths have crossed today."\n\nAt a conference you\u2019re making industry contacts: agents, editors, publishers\u2014even writers who might want to collaborate with you. You want to make a lasting impression. You want them to remember you. You want to leave behind something, a bread crumb that leads back to you.\n\nYou want to hand them a business card.\n\nAnd I couldn\u2019t find even one of mine. Not one.\n\nThe opening session began and I tried to shake it off. Forget about the cards. It\u2019s fine. You\u2019ll be fine. If they can spell your name they can find you online.\n\nThe session ended and I couldn\u2019t resist. I unzipped that backpack one more time and dug\ninto the slot that holds a few papers I rarely touch. And then I felt it. At the very bottom of that slot, between the papers and another Post-It pad, sat the elusive business card holder.\n\nI turned to the writer who had seen all of my personal items. \u201cYou aren\u2019t going believe this, but I just found it!"\n\nThe writer grinned. \u201cI\u2019m so glad!"