1. Make your logo pop. Your logo should be the centerpiece of your card. It is the symbol of your company and helps people remember you. Make it bold and visible.

2. Go for visual consistency. For branding's sake, your card should have the same look, feel, colors, and font types as your brochure, website, e-letter nameplate (header), and other marketing materials.

3. Be open to interesting shapes or paper stock. Sometimes an odd-shaped card combined with a unique design can be perfect, depending on the product or service you are selling. Textured paper can also set your card apart from the rest. You want people to study it or even comment on it when you hand it to them.

4. Get the content right first. Cleverness is not as important as a clear message, so think about that first. Then you can get a little creative with the layout. If you provide a couple of services that are very different from each other, consider making two separate cards. It'll be much more appealing to someone who is looking for a true expert.

5. Use both sides. You might try going with a simple front (logo, contact information) with more details on the back. Example: You talk to someone briefly about your financial coaching services. You walk away and they think, "I wonder if he can help me get a handle on my credit card balances." They flip the card over and there it is with the other bulleted services: "debt reduction."

6. Make it easy to contact you. How to reach you is the absolutely most important thing on your card. Include your name, company name, street address, office phone number, cell phone (if they are two separate numbers), fax number, website address and e-mail. And don't bury your phone number.

7. Don't cut corners on printing. You have created a masterpiece. It's clean and appealing, and you have made every word count. Don't spoil it by choosing sub-standard paper stock or sending your creation through your inkjet printer. Your card is a reflection of you, after all.