How many business cards do I need?

I have too many business cards. Or too many identities. Or maybe I’m just having an identity crisis.



For years, my primary (and only) business card was for my real job (I work at an ad agency outside of Boston). But I was always hesitant to give it out to people outside of work because it didn’t have the e-mail address or phone number that my friends or other parents needed to reach me.



Things started to get a little more confused when Erin and I started Manic Mommies, for which (of course) we needed a business card. This card I used when I was at “blogging-related” events, and even gave it to friends and parents because it had my cell number on it, as well as my non-work e-mail address (all the real ways to get in touch with me).



Obviously I still use my primary business card when I’m attending meetings, marketing conferences, and related networking events. But what should I hand out when I’m at events like the M2Moms conference or SXSW – events where I want to be known not just as Kristin of Manic Mommies, but also as Kristin from a marketing agency that may be able to do business with the people I’m meeting?



During a recent visit to my alma mater, a student asked me if business cards were becoming passé. My answer was no – but I do think that we’re making business cards work harder than ever. Which brings me back to my original question – how many business cards do I need?



I decided that I need two cards – my primary card for my primary job, and another card that “sums up” (as much as one card can) the things I do and the places I can be found (for events such as SXSW).

 


Here’s what I came up with:

Side 1: When did all cards become two-sided? Rather than trying to fill the back with copy, I took this picture of some of the things that "sum up" my life including my awesome Wonder Woman boots; iPhone (with Facebook loaded); coffee; toys,  and audio equipment. (Click here if you want to know what is on the back).

 

Side 2: Rather than using a title, I included a list of descriptors I thought were appropriate, and a list of my primary sites (including tech blogger for realsimple.com of course). I added my picture because I know that I meet a ton of people at conference and would love if all the cards I received had pictures so I can remember WHO each card belongs to.

 
I bought them through Moo cards, mostly because I love the silky feel of the stock they use.



How many cards to you have? How many do you need?