Since the 15th century, professionals from all industries promoted their businesses through small pieces of paper or cardboard. Nowadays, however, everything we do in business has gone digital. Emails have replaced memos. We conduct meetings via Zoom or Google Meet instead of seeing each other in person. Even signing contracts can be done electronically!
Despite the internet and other technological innovations, though, business cards have remained irreplaceable. No matter how advanced we become as a civilization, no amount of automation will take their place. And for good reason!
Here’s why business cards still matter in the digital world.
- Sharing Contact Details Made Easy
Business cards have lasted this long because they do one thing really well: deliver your contact information with ease. The contact information of your business is vital to your clients. With just one piece of beautifully crafted paper, you can give them your email address, phone number, and other relevant information.
What’s great about business cards is that once you give them to your client, they can easily place them in their wallet or office drawer. Whenever they need your company’s details, they can just bust out the cards and effortlessly contact you.
Business cards become especially handy if you and your client have different devices. Some phones just aren’t compatible with each other, making your cards essential for all your business communications.
If carrying stacks of business cards with you is not your thing, why not try a more electronic alternative? Having an effective digital business card will go a long, long way!
- First Impressions Last
Whenever you meet someone that could become a great prospect or connection, they will always remember you if you’ve made a great first impression. And what better way to do that than with a memorable business card?
You can’t rely on people’s attention span nowadays because of the many distractions we encounter every day. When it comes to capturing the attention of your clients, an attractive and well-designed business card will quickly create a favorable impression of your company.
Don’t forget the essential elements that should be on your card:
- Company Logo
- Design that is in line with your brand colors and typeface
- Carefully displayed company details
- QR Code, if you have one
- Simple & Effective Direct Marketing Tool
Looking for a great lead generation strategy? This is where your card becomes something more than just a piece of fancy paper. While search engine optimization, email marketing, and social media ads do a great job of attracting leads and prospects, they lack the connection you can build through in-person meetings. Seal it with a handshake and a business card exchange, and you’re good to go!
There are potential leads everywhere—from tradeshows and industry conferences to happy hours and airport lounges. Never miss an opportunity to build valuable business connections by arming yourself with a stack of business cards. Keep some in your laptop bag, wallet, or money clip so that you can easily grab it whenever you encounter an interested prospect.
- Building Trust Through Legitimacy
One of the best ways to earn your prospect’s trust is by giving them your business card. Since your card contains contact information, clients feel a sense of “safety” as you’re always just one call or email away should they need anything from you.
While your business’s website and social media profiles can do the same, nothing beats a physical representation of you and your business. A simple card shows your prospects that you take them and your business seriously.
- Shows Preparedness
It doesn’t look good when you have to write your contact information on a cocktail napkin or when you’re about to exchange numbers with your prospect but your phone is dead.
Having a stack of your business cards with you is not just for formality’s sake—it shows just how serious you are about your business.
- Gets Shared With Other People
When you’ve made a lasting impression on your prospect with your warmth and your creative business card, your brand will stay with them. They will always have a small piece of you wherever they place your card.
Once it’s in their hands, you never know where it might end up. Maybe it will land on their boss’s desk, or maybe it’ll find its way to another interested prospect, and then another.
If you have a creative business card that mentions your product or service, your recipient might refer you to others looking for your specific skillset.
- Your Money’s Worth & So Much More
The best thing about business cards? They’re an investment worth making because of how little they cost relative to the value you gain from them. Just a single business card out of a pack of 50 or 100 opens doors for you and your business, especially if it is passed around from one valuable prospect to the next.
Compare this to digital or traditional marketing. Though there are free marketing options such as email, these can feel impersonal and intrusive for some clients. Business cards don’t often encounter this issue as you can be selective with who you choose to give them to. This personal approach is what some clients look for.
Business cards have a long history, but they are still standing strong due to their simplicity and effectiveness. With just one piece of cardboard, you can build trust, show warmth, and begin a long-lasting relationship with a valuable client—that’s the power of a good business card.
