You have an email address, a profile on LinkedIn, and an Instagram account. Do you really still need business cards?
Spoiler alert! Yes, you do.
The Best Way to Network
Email and social media play a role in making connections these days, but face-to-face networking is still the best way to promote yourself and your business. When you hand someone your business card, you make contact in a physical way, with a tangible item that people will immediately look at. With a well-designed, professionally printed business card, you’re more than just another name scrolling by in their newsfeed, and it’s more likely they will remember you, your business, and what you offer.
Reinforce the Connection
Depending on the situation, you may have only a few seconds to introduce yourself. In such cases, your business card will have to do most of the talking. No one likes the idea of being forgotten, but let’s face it: If you’re meeting dozens of people at a networking event, you’re not going to remember everyone. Handing out a business card has a variety of benefits. If your business piques the interest of someone you meet, your card makes it easy for them to follow up later. But even if there’s little (or no) interest at the time, who knows when the need for your services may arise, either with the person you met or someone they know. When they have your card tucked away somewhere, there’s a good chance they will remember the connection the two of you made, even months later.
Always Be Networking
Of course, meeting a potential customer or business contact is not limited to networking conferences or trade shows. You never know when you’ll strike up a conversation with someone who may be interested in your product or service. It could happen anywhere. It’s really essential that you have a business card to hand them. Otherwise, you may be left scrambling for a pen or paper (or both). Simply giving out your name and number for someone to record in their phone is not only inefficient but there’s a chance it will be forgotten. With a business card, there is a tangible reminder of the interaction.
It’s More Than Just a Card
When you hand someone your business card, it’s likely you’ll also personally engage with the other person, through eye contact or conversation. This type of connection is far more powerful than an online interaction. For all its popularity, social media and email can’t replicate personality and chemistry. Your business card opens a door for both.
You Know What They Say About First Impressions
Remember that when you hand your business card to someone, they will get an instant impression of your brand. Consider carefully the impression you want to convey. Chances are good that you don’t want the impression to be cheap or sloppy. Depending on your business, your card can convey a serious or somber, fun-loving or creative tone. But the one thing you do not want to convey is a lack of professionalism. Choose a designer and a printer that will produce a card you will be proud to hand out. Remember, your business card is a lot more than just your contact information.