The summit was last week, but I know that you don't care much about that. Thanks for the comment and for the pitch of your site which is related to the topic.

I looked at your site and think that I would go rather with any of the three I mentioned in my post. Not only are your prices too high IMO, but also the lag of customization and preview of the business card with my information is a bummer.

When I added a "custom" card did I miss the option to provide any graphics, company logo etc. I don't hope that this will only be available after the order was placed.

Sorry, but I suggest having a look at what the other three are doing. At least offer as much as DeluxeForm.com (Live Preview with custom text).

Regarding your printing options I think you could have done better by going with http://www.mind2print.com. The prices are competitive and the quality is unbeatable.

As for keeping track of all those cards, Alyssa, you're right: CardScan is definately the way to do it. I'm planning to take mine with me on my next trip and scan my cards on the plane on the way back (if I don't do it in the hotel before I leave).

What I recently saw was a card that was designed withe persons photo on it, plus their contact information, then, they had little check boxes that said "I wanted to follow up with Jim Kukral because" then check boxes "To do a deal" "to buy advertising" etc….

So the person can remember days or weeks later why they talked to you. Plus, either a blank back or note lines on the back.

Sam's idea is great too, assuming you can draw.

you will get the "flashy" one from me, which is made of a considerable amount of old school hand-pixeled stuff. Almost like hand written
Your approach is certainly interesting and it will people also help to remember you when they look through their collection of business cards.

I don't know if that would work for me though. I gave away several dozen cards, what I wouldn't have using your approach since you think twice about it, if you need to write something custom each and every time. But that requires that you already know if you will do something with the other person very soon or not.

My handwriting is also ready bad. I must have gotten that from my dad who had a phD and is a scientist. I write fast and the only person who is able to read my "Sauklaue" or "kakografio" (Esperanto). There only seem to exist a word in Esperanto for that german word mmh.

Mike,

I also like VistaPrint although they throw sometimes a bit too much promotional stuff at you at once.

I thought it to be important to be fair and also show other services out there, regardless of my personal preference, because I noticed the subtle differences between them and that my preference does not necessarily be the preference of somebody else.

The Engraving kind of style from Deluxe Print is kind of unique. The Card looks ordinary at first glance, but different if you take a closer look and stick out big time if you touch it.

Thanks for the tips about the discounts though.

1) I have a normal business card with my full contact information on, which I give to merchants, network contacts, other affiliates, and anyone else who I want to be able to get in touch with me.

2) I have promotional type business cards (really just a business card-sized advertisement). I don't put contact information on these. It's just an ad and the URL. I give these out to potential customers, leave them with tips at restaurants, leave them in waiting areas, post them on public bulletin boards (the corkboard type, not forums), etc. They're a cheap, easy way to get the word out. I know one affiliate who leaves cards on subway cars all over New York.

Also, if you sign up for VistaPrint's promotional newsletters, they send out offers fairly regularly. The best ones (80% off) will give you 1000 full color cards for $7.99. (The best deal is usually advertised as 250 for $3.99, but additional quantities up to 1000 are usually discounted even more.) With standard shipping, that's usually around $15 total (plus $5 if you're using a new uploaded graphic). I keep enough printed up that I can wait for the next big sale.

Normally, I just write something like "Google 'Sam Harrelson'" or "www.linkedin.com/in/samharrelson" with a little caricature of the person I'm chatting with or of Wayne Porter. It's slow and inefficient, but it works for me.

I've used many variations of cards for years and years. While I'm sure they worked in some long tail variation, I always felt the card exchange itself was kind of an awkward drug deal where you try to be discreet as you pass off the goods. Making the construction of the card part of the conversation by creating them on the spot solves that awkwardness for me and allows them to be customized on the spot… which says a good deal about how I view marketing in general.

Great piece, though. Most informative and practical thing I've read in a long while! Theory and ideas are fun, but practical info like this is a great way to share ideas and create some new ones.

Thanks for making me use the brain cells on a rainy Sunday morning!