Freelance Writer: About My Business Name and Business Card

I'd like to write about my business name and business card, which I always get compliments on.

My business name is Talk to Me

Even before I decided to work as a freelancer, I would vaguely daydream about a business name. I picked out words I liked that sounded writerly, like "Bookmark" or "Letter," and tried combining them in various ways. However, I couldn't find anything that felt quite right, and even when I thought I found something good, I'd check the stroke count and find it was "unlucky!" so I couldn't decide. When I finally made the decision to go freelance, I faced myself again and asked, "What kind of work do I want to do from now on?" That led me to the business name "Talk to Me."

Literally translated, "Talk to Me" means "speak to me." As a writer, while interviewing many people, I realized I always wanted to maintain the attitude of "please let me hear your story." I want to be a listener who makes the person speaking feel, "Maybe I can talk to this person," or "I want to talk to them." I want to be someone who can humbly accept the voices shared with me. I want to weave those voices into words that reach someone who isn't here, staying true to the original message. That is the sentiment I have poured into it.

And there is one more meaning I have included: "dialogue with myself," which is the essence of being a creator of words.

When writing essays or novels, dialogue with myself is essential. I listen to my own voice, empathize with the voice I receive, and sometimes doubt it, all while choosing the right words. It is a lonely task, but it also has a refreshing quality that feels like my heart is being liberated, and I want to continue this kind of writing as a form of expression for the rest of my life.
When I checked, the stroke count for "Talk to Me" was perfect. It seems to open up a bright future for my business as well, and I really love it.

My business card as my alter ego

I also paid close attention to many things when creating my business card. The texture of the paper, the thickness, the color, the design. What to put where and how. Even though I was in my first year of freelancing and nothing had really started yet, I didn't want a "just-for-now" business card. I wanted to create a card that was like me—an alter ego of the "person I want to be."

I asked a designer friend to handle the design. She is the person who gave me the push to become a freelancer, and she is my biggest source of support right now. She made a wonderful proposal: "I don't need payment for the design, so please teach me how to plan projects. Let's call it a skill exchange."

After exchanging ideas with her a few times, this is the business card we finished with.

I kept it as simple as possible. In addition to my name and title, I included the words "Talk to Me" written in my own handwriting with a fountain pen. The paper is pure white and has a solid thickness. It feels textured to the touch. It is a sophisticated design that also feels like it has the warmth of human skin. I am proud that, with my friend's help, we created a wonderful card.

Now, when I hand out my business card, I am told "What a lovely card" so very often. Everyone seems to notice the handwritten text first, and some people even stare at the card and say "Talk to Me" out loud.
I tell them, "It's my business name. The text is my own handwriting," and sometimes I even tell them the origin of the name. It relaxes the atmosphere, and it really helps me be myself even in new places.

I hope the day comes when I can hand this card with "Talk to Me" on it to you as well. I look forward to that day!

▼ Here is the kind of work I do!
Please feel free to take a look at my portfolio.