Go for multi-media loaded, DVD business cards Set yourself apart from your competition by handing a potential client your professionally packaged, interactive business card. Seek out companies who specialize in digital promotional marketing.

I recommend:  For the flashiest digital business cards on the market, makers of digital business cards, such as DiscWrite CD Promotions, offer a wide range of services starting at around $600. A custom size or a mini CD business card, chock-full of graphics and music is sure to be a real attention getter. Some companies, such as Business Cards on Disc, offer these options with the ease of online estimates.

Save money by creating your own digital business cards A digital business card CD with an easy way to link to your email, a little text and perhaps your logo, can go a long way in attracting clients. These options are possible by investing a little time and money.

I recommend:  Invest in computer software. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign are invaluable when designing your own digital business card. Purplus Software offers Adobe Design Standard for around $600. Stock up on your blank discs, labels, and packaging from Tape.com. For less than $200, ProAction Media can duplicate 100 discs.

Hire a digital business card designer, then do the packaging and duplicating yourself If you like the idea of interactive business cards, but feel a bit daunted by putting it together yourself, hire a professional. Once your digital business card is complete, take on the packaging and duplicating yourself.

I recommend:  Many digital business card designers, such as Business Card CD, will give you a quote online. Stock up on your supplies and start duplicating. Expect to pay between $0.99 to $3.99 each for 100 duplicated discs, depending on shape and size. Diskduper can duplicate or replicate any disc at a variety of quantities and prices. Or, you can buy your own duplicator. Noble House CD offers low to high end duplicators in the range of $500 to $8,000.

Learn all you can about digital business cards and how they might benefit your company Makers of digital business cards offer information and presentations, which often include sample downloads, to demonstrate the capabilities of their CD or DVD business cards.

I recommend:  PPP Design describes its CD business cards on its website, offering samples for download. Mini CD Wizard also offers a free sample for viewing.

Once you decide which type of interactive business card would work best for you, compare pricing Many online makers of digital business cards freely post their rates on their websites. Use that opportunity to compare prices, as well as features of different card types offered by various companies.

I recommend:  Both Audio Sphere and Cheap CD Duplications offer pricing information, along with downloadable templates to help you prepare your data and graphics for your CD or DVD business cards. Cheap CD Duplications offers both CD business cards and DVD business cards.

If commercial versions of digital business cards don't fit your budget, consider making your own Information on how to make your own interactive business cards is available online. Depending on your technical and artistic skills, these digital business cards can contain text and graphics (including animation), as well as live links to your website or e-mail.

I recommend:  Tips and instructions for making your own digital business cards are available online from eSSORTMENT.

If you don't have the time, interest or ability to make your own digital business cards, get help Some websites offer methods for digitizing the information found on traditional business cards to add to their convenience and give them at least some of the versatility of digital business cards.

I recommend:  ScanR helps you turn traditional business cards into vCards (or virtual cards) that can be used to transmit, store and access your business card information electronically, via the internet or e-mail. Using either a digital camera or a camera phone, all you need to do is photograph your business card and send the photo to ScanR, which either makes and e-mails your vCard to you or stores your scan online.

Hire a professional digital business card designer There are many digital business card designers on the market. Many can incorporate your business look and logo on the disc itself as well as incorporate content to fit your needs.

I recommend:  A slick silk screen label produced by companies like ProAction Media can be an impressive introduction when first presenting your digital business card. Most professional providers of digital business cards, will work with you and help you decide the best media to attract your clients. Hollywood Disc has a variety options.

Produce your own custom digital business cards Find a digital business cards guide. Creating anything from a simple digital business card to high volume, interactive business cards is not such an ambitious undertaking. In-fact, with the advancement in desktop publishing, it can be a real money saver while keeping your creativity under your own control.

I recommend:  Work.com's Guide to Digital Business Cards is a great resource when first initiating this endeavor. Beefing up your desktop publishing software with programs such as Photoshop and Flash is an important first step. Nextag can help you choose which software package would best fit your needs. As for the disc itself, NEATO offers all the money saver supplies needed without compromising too much on look.

Use the technology of digital business cards to promote your business Utilize the many multi-media tools available for your digital business cards. Whether it be a short video presentation, animation with music, a dancing logo or a simple email link -- use the technology to work for you.

I recommend:  DVD business cards can bring your video information to clients all over the world. Business Card CD gives a variety of options on content and packaging in high-end fashion. ProwaveMedia is a great source of information on all the exciting new technology.