So many people have boring business cards. Think about it...Do you want to see a red card, or a white card? I would choose a red card. I'm actually working on re-doing my business cards right now, so my current ones are, admittedly, a boring white, but not for long!

Choosing the right color is only one of many tips that make me want to keep a card in my wallet and not just enter your information into Outlook and throw the card away. So I'll share a few tips off of my favorite business cards that I've collected over the years, and that I'm planning to incorporate into my new card.

1. Use as little information as possible that is boring, and as much information as possible that is interesting. This means your fax number and mailing address are likely irrelevant, and what your value differentiating factor is is likely very relevant. Instead of "designer" how about "Designer to the Stars?" To quote the book title by Paul Arden, It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Think You Want To Be. Put what you WANT your job title to be. Be creative, and talk about what you do, because that's REALLY what you are.
   
   
2. Try to make an instant impression with your business card. Again, the color is the number one thing that makes people sit up and take notice. You could also add your picture on your card, or for a REALLY cool card, check out Show Off Cards and have Scott and company design a card for you.
   
   
3. Be sure your name, phone number, e-mail address and web site are listed on your card. If you don't have a web site, why not? I strongly encourage you to get a website, even if you just point the web site to your blog. For my blog, I use MakeItGreat.org and point it to my TypePad account. It costs me less than $10 a year, and I have a memorable web site name. You could do multiple domains, and point them all to the same spot if you want to, or use a hosting company that offers some templates like 1and1.com or many others.
   
   
4. Don't just give out your business cards to everyone; be partial to who you give it to and make a real connection with the person getting your card. Why should anyone remember your name or what you do? GIVE THEM A REASON TO REMEMBER YOU! Try to make a connection as quickly as you can, so you can share what you're both passionate about as much as possible to deepen that connection. Connected people are people who you can help, and who can help you.
   
   
5. Don't put every way to reach you on the card, but don't be afraid to write it on the card if you've made a particularly solid connection. Putting all contact information makes nobody feel important, but hand-writing a special way to reach you makes people feel like you're reaching out specially for them.

In conclusion, take the time to make it a great business card. Good enough is not good enough anymore!