How to Make Your ULTIMATE Business Card

By Eric Quander
co-author of 10 Tips to Turning Your Business Card Into Real Money!

The words, "Do you have a card?" is music to a business person's ears. It means that you have done or said something to interest a potential prospect. The task then becomes to convert that interest into a sale of your business, product or service.

The time sent in crafting the ULTIMATE business card is well worth it. A business card is a business owner's best friend, a valuable and essential tool to attracting customers and increasing your bottom line. Unfortunately, too many people have bland, boring business cards that get lost among the sea of standard cards floating about. If you haven't put serious thought into your business card, you are missing out on its ability to be a steady lead generator and stream of revenue. Of course, it’s impossible to know this unless you actually have a card that’s really, really effective. This article will examine four aspects of the ULTIMATE business card:

1. Comparison to Competition
2. Standing Out
3. Creativity
4. Distribution

#1: How Does Your Card Compare to the Competition's?

Try to remember the last trade show, networking event, seminar, convention, social hour or association meeting you attended. Did people respond to your business card? Did they compliment its design, show it to someone else, or quickly shove it into their pocket?
Whatever the response, your card made some type of impression. But only the most creative, unique and memorable business cards make the ULTIMATE impression. Those types of cards get reactions like…

 “Can I have another one? A friend of mine will LOVE this!” exclaims your tablemate.
 “Oooh! I want one too!” begs the person in looking over your shoulder.
 “You know, I’ve never thrown your card away!” says one of your customers.

If you’ve ever heard a compliment along those lines, then you have a business card that's doing its job, attracting attention to your business. I've literally come across thousands of business cards, but have only retained a few. Those that find a permanent place in my file are colorful, informative and funny.

Is your business card that good? Keep that question in the back of your mind as you read on. Now,  why do certain cards stand out more than others?

# 2: Standing Out 


Try this experiment. Collect 30 business cards and spread them out on a table. Get a business associate or better yet, a complete stranger, and ask them to pick-up the card that stands out the most. Did they pick your card?

When I conduct this little experiment, I notice several things:

Color: Most people immediately choose the most colorful card. Red seems to be a particularly appealing color that compels people to pick it up.

 Image: Most people choose cards that have a striking visual image. Typically, those cards with a human face get chosen most. I think it helps the reciepient connect a face with the name of the cardholder or their company. It's also inteeresting to note that cards where an image took up at least one fourth of the total surface captures more attention.

 Vertical vs. Horizontal: Cards printed vertically stand out visually.

 Background: Standard cards typically have a white background. Cards with a black or blue backgrounds REALLY stand out.

This is a valuable experiment in understanding the ULTIMATE business card, and I recommend you try it. You’ll be amazed at what you see.


#3: Creativity

After the experiment, you should have some ideas on how to approach your card. This is the perfect time to brainstorm ways to enhance your card. Come up with as many ideas as possible. Let your creativity run wild! Here’s 6 ideas to make your ULTIMATE business card:

1. Size or Shape – Don't be afraid to break the mold. An ULTIMATE business card can be created in the shape of a square, circle, oval or triangle. Ideally, the shape should make a  connection to the brand, and stand out amidst the endless regression of the same old rectangle.

2. Cartoons – Get a custom cartoon commissioned for the back of your card. Very inexpensive, and royalty free, the cartoon shouls be unique to your business.

3. Coupon – Include a coupon, discount or special offer on the back of your card. This is an effective way of motivating any reciepient to take action and call to inquire about your business, product or service.

4. Material – Use various materials, fabrics and textures that will make your card stand out.

5. Motivation – This idea works especally well if you're a public/motivational speaker. Include a famous quotation, bible verse or movie line that connects to your brand. Its even more effective if you incorporate the quote into your introduction. Not only does it make you memorable, but with the right quote, you just might make someone's day.

6. Double Up – Make your card “double” as something other than a card. For example, when at the next trade show, if your card doube as a nametag, people will stick it on their shirts, providing you with free promotion.

#4: Distribution/Implementation 


Once you’ve come up with the layout for your ULTIMATE business card, there are only two things left to do: get 'em printed and hand ‘em out!

Choose a reputable business card company like theULTIMATEbusnesscardguru.com. Companies such as UBC work closely with you to create a customized design until you get the card that's perfect for you. If you do choose to go with an online company, be careful and avoid those companies that only offer a series of templates with no cusomization.

Your new cards have been delivered, now its time to pass them out.

Tell people you’ve got a new card. Even if they already have your old one, most will gladly acept it. Be sure to point out  your cards newest and most unique attributes. Also, if you printed on both sides of your new card, remember to either tell people about the back of your card; or hand them the card back side up, so they know there’s more to it.

Always keep business card etiquette in mind. Don’t just throw out thousands of your cards to anyone in sight.  Not only is this horrible networking, but also a waste of money. Remember, people throw away business cards from those  with who hey have failed to establish a rapport or make a connection.

After you’ve face lifted your business card from ordinary to ULTIMATE, I promise you will feel great. Your confidence will skyrocket, and most importantly, you will attract more customers and increase your bottom line. With the ULTIMATE business card when someone asks, “Do you have a card?” it will be like music to your ears.

P.S. Borrowed from Scott Ginsberg, author of The Power of Approachability, here's a positive affirmation to keep in mind when passing out your ULTIMATE business card:

“This is my business card. There are many others out there, but none of them are like mine – because there’s nobody else like me. My business card is not a formality. It’s not a piece of paper containing my name and contact information. And it’s not another annoying thing to keep in my pocket. My business card is the most important networking tool that I own. It’s a reflection of my personal brand and a bite-sized morsel of the mission of my business. I LOVE my business card. And I can’t wait until somebody asks me for one. Because when they do, I will find a way to give that person value.”