Interesting article in USA Today that I read this week that I've also read about on Scott Ginsberg's blog. Think about this: What does your business card say about you? If you work in a company that requires you to conform to the corporate standard, obviously you don't have much choice. For the rest, what are you doing to stand out in a crowd of many?

A few suggestions from me that may or not be found in the above articles:

Use wild, interesting colors. Do you want to see a red card, or a white card? I choose red.

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.

Try to make an instant impression with your business card. Again, the color is the thing that makes people sit up and take notice. And don't forget to make a personal connection. See tip 5 for more on this

Be sure your name, phone number, e-mail address and website are listed on your card. If you don't have a website, why not? I strongly encourage you to get a website, even if you use a template company like I do at http://www.1and1.com You can get a site up in under 4 hours if you can use Microsoft Word, so do it now!

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. Keith Ferrazi, author of Never Eat Alone, has a great article here on the importantce of making this connection.

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.

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

Until next time, make it a great week!

Phil Gerbyshak
http://makeitgreat.org
414.640.7445