Everybody walks around with a mobile phone. Email, the internet and social media have changed have drastically changed the way we do business. So, are business cards still a necessity?
There are many reasons as to why you make think that business cards are outdated. Why not just quickly and easily exchange numbers by entering it into your phone? That takes much more time than simply exchanging cards. Also, verbally exchanging information can lead to error through miscommunication. Yes, your card might get lost or tossed but that is why yours has to be different from the rest. We are becoming a paperless society but we haven’t lost our ability to touch; we like to actually hold things in our hands especially if they are unique. The truth is that business cards are still an important asset to your business.
4 Reasons Why Business Cards are Still Important
- Business cards are tangible. They are physical items that people can keep to be reminded of you.
- Your cards show off your logo and brand. Business cards are the one of the most cost effective ways to get your name out there.
- Stand out from the crowd. Further down in the blog post I will tell how you can make your business card unique.
- They hold your credibility. When you go to an event or sales meeting, you are expected to have them. When you don’t have your business card on hand it’s shunned upon even in todays digital age.
Now you know why it’s still important for you to invest in a good business card. Here is how you can make it unique and insure that it’s not going to get lost in the pile.
6 Ways to Make Your Business Cards Unique
- Choose a thick card stock with some texture. It will give your card a strong quality and that feeling will transfer to your brand. You can also select a recycled stock and make your cards eco-friendly.
- Add your QR code. This way people can quickly scan your information into their cell phones. Or you can lead them directly to your website.
- Don’t just get a plain old card. How about Business Card Chocolate? Yes, chocolate. Now that’s a sweet treat that will really make an impression.
Business Card Chocolate
- You can also include your business card with a small useful giveaway. Have you ever seen spiral bound business cards? They are card sized note pads like the Mini Business Card Jotter. It is a great tool for you or the person you are giving it to to mark down some notes about your discussion, profession or ideas. Check out the Business Card Letter Opener too.
Mini Business Card Jotter
- Use your cards like raffle tickets. Have them printed with unique numbers or mark them yourself and offer a prize to the winning number.
- Take advantage of all the printing processes that are available. You can easily spice up the look of your card by having your logo debossed, foil stamped, printed with raised ink, or in full color. The Jumbo Business Card Puzzle Magnets are 4 color process magnet cards that are die-cut into puzzle pieces.
Jumbo Business Card Puzzle Magnets
The bottom line is that business cards are no longer used to just give out contact information, they have become a significant part of a company’s advertising strategy. The have to be different and stand out in order to be successful. Custom business cards are a great choice.
What do your cards look like? Do you carry them everywhere you go? What is the best business card you have seen?
I still use business cards and still get asked for them. The idea of giving chocolate cards is appealing because it would be so memorable, but knowing how hot summers can be, it would only take leaving my chocolate cards in the car once for me to appreciate a nice textured card stock. 🙂 Definitely something for special occasions.
This is true, but you can keep the chocolate business cards in a cooler. 🙂 Thanks for your comment.
Susan Bigan recently posted…How do you turn Insomnia into Branding?
The chocolate business card looks divine – and what a memorable way to stand out. I have business cards I carry with me that have a simple logo and a “freebie” on the back, but I tend to forget I have them and so they tend to stay in my purse. What a fail.
Thanks for sharing all the cute business card pics, Susan.
Missy recently posted…My Blog Guest: 5 Minute Video Review and Commentary
Thanks Missy! Don’t forget those cards, give them out whenever you can.
Susan Bigan recently posted…Fast Food Chains Take On a Greener Corporate Responsibility
Once again, you are spot on with your post. I find that while the business card is relatively still useful, the branding of yourself or your organization is much more important. It is the take away from a conversation that people will reflect back on long after the introduction has passed.
Thank you for sharing!!
Mark Brody recently posted…AAAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!
Business cards have not died out yet. They part of branding your organization, but having a unique business card takes the importance one step further. Thanks for your comment
Arleen recently posted…Have Business Cards Lost Their Value?
Wow, some great ideas for business cards. When I am out and about I still use them for networking. I got onto Moo Cards a while back. They are smaller than standard (about half the width) and I put random pics from my holidays on them (photography is a bit or a hobby). It attracts attention and I let people choose the image they like.
The QR code for a quick scan into the phone is a great idea, as let’s face it – contacts in your phone is very useful and who wants to type all that in on a touch screen!!
Ashley F recently posted…Spare some change? Give just a little to educate today’s children in need!
I hope some type of business card stays around. I agree they are necessary for networking. I do think QR codes are going to get more popular. Glad you liked the article. Thank you for stopping by.
Arleen recently posted…Have Business Cards Lost Their Value?
No, business cards have not lost their value. You definitely still need them for networking.
Believe that if and when business cards die out it will start in the United States. In the rest of the world it will take longer. Actually ordered business cards earlier today because in Sweden you need them.
Creating “innovative and unique” business cards have gone a bit out of hand. You see the most horrendous cards. Sure people will remember them, but in a negative or positive way?
Hence use classic, simple business cards because nowadays that’s unique:-) Isn’t it funny that you stick out that way..
Catarina recently posted…Do you find time for strategic thinking?
Some type of business card is still necessary to network. Thank you for your comment. It is interesting to see how different countries view business cards. Thank you for your time.
Arleen recently posted…Have Business Cards Lost Their Value?
I love some of these ideas for business cards. The only one I would be hesitant about would be the puzzle. Though it is a magnet, I would worry that a piece would go missing. I have my business cards but I definitely need to revamp them.
Elizabeth Scott recently posted…Liebster Award
There are so many ideas out there to connect. The advantage of losing a puzzle piece is that you may get a call from someone saying they lost it. A good opportunity to communicate. Thank you for stopping by.
Arleen recently posted…Have Business Cards Lost Their Value?
I just made some business cards for my blog to take to a conference. This is my first one so I haven’t received anyone else’s cards before that I think it is a great idea, especially if you are trying to network with companies. Great article!
Heather recently posted…Chick-fil-A New Salads & Wraps Giveaway & #FreshMade Blog App
Thank you Heather! Business cards are important for any business large or small. It’s the fastest and easiest way to get your name out there.
Susan Bigan recently posted…Dove Real Beauty Sketches Connecting with Customer Emotions
I just recently got my first set of business cards. I know they’ll come in handy at the writing conference I’ll be attending this summer in Seattle.
Jeri recently posted…A Writer’s Guide: How To Give Effective Draft Feedback
Great! Good luck at your conference. I’d love to hear how it all turns out.
Susan Bigan recently posted…Does it Make Sense to Spend Money on Promotional Items?
It never fails. When I least expect it, I am asked for my business card and I am scrambling to find them. They aren’t dead yet but it is not nearly what it use to be. The chocolate ones are cool, it may be hard to brand myself with that because they wouldn’t last long in my hands or anyone else’s for that matter… LOL.
Susan Cooper recently posted…Cheese Boards Made Easy: Food
What is great about the chocolate cards are that your information is printed on the wrapper so receivers can keep it to hold on to your info. Or as stated in the post you can have your QR code printed on them too! Thanks for your comment.
Susan Bigan recently posted…Have Business Cards Lost Their Value?
I hope we’ll see a post on your visit to the punk exhibit at the Met!
Stephanie recently posted…Say My Name, Say My Name…
Okay! Thanks!
Susan Bigan recently posted…Have Business Cards Lost Their Value?
I love business cards! I am a forgetful person, so having a persons card helps me to remember who they are.
Misty recently posted…Pillsbury’s Not-So-Secret Club
Thanks Misty! I store my contacts on my phone, but I also keep a file of the business cards that way I have a back-up! 🙂
Susan Bigan recently posted…Does it Make Sense to Spend Money on Promotional Items?
I was thinking about investing in some business cards myself. But like everyone, I considered all the ways I can interact with social media. I just might get some business cards after all. Great ideas!
Candace recently posted…Role Reversal.. Have Women Become Hunters?
Hi Candace! Business cards are another great way to get people to interact with you via social media. Thanks for your reply.
Susan Bigan recently posted…Dove Real Beauty Sketches Connecting with Customer Emotions
Great article! What fascinating ways to do business cards! I’ll pass this info along to a woman I know who is just starting out in her own business.
Thank you Esther I appreciate you passing along the information
Arleen recently posted…Have Business Cards Lost Their Value?
Business card chocolate – I love it.
I had no idea you could be so creative with a business card. I don’t think I would forget receiving some of these if I was given one.
Becc recently posted…Finding your passion
Hi Becc,
We sell the business card chocolates and they are very popular.
Arleen recently posted…Have Business Cards Lost Their Value?
Hi Susan,
I love the chocolate business card idea and the spiral bound business cards. Except the chocoloate wouldn’t be appropriate during the summer, perhaps only during the winter. And the spiral bound idea is always good because clients can jot down what you guys have discussed. But how much to produce some of these say 250 of them?
Anyway, I don’t think business cards have lost its zest. I am still using them. I have some in plain cards and some in magnets. The magnets one I love the best coz not only it is durable and it doesn’t get ripped, good enough to keep in the purse and good enough to hang on the fridge. Anyhoo, thanks for sharing all these lovely ideas!
Angela
Angela McCall recently posted…Social Media Sharing
Hi Angela.
Thank you for your interest in the business card notebooks. Here is the https://www.garrettspecialties.com/business-card-notebooks-p-2729.html
It is nice something hasn’t gone the way of technology. Thank you for stopping by
Arleen recently posted…Branding Your Image | When is it necessary to update your brand?
GREAT article! I am in the process of launching my own marketing consulting company. I’ve already attended many conferences and several networking events. My first session that I intend hold (after receiving several business cards) is a “Business Card 101 session”. One thing that I would like to point out as far as the QR codes, is that “NOW” you can use your own logo as the QR code, no more boxy figures etc. A potential client can scan “your logo” and access your website, facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, company info. etc. This concept is much newer than the original QR (barcodes) but I expect the concept to take off very rapidly.
I have seen that before where you can scan the actual logo off of promotional material. I’ve also seen it in a magazine. It is the way of the future for sure. Once the technology advances it will replace the use of QR codes. Thank you for your reply.
Susan Bigan recently posted…Fast Food Chains Take On a Greener Corporate Responsibility
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A good article to prompt ideas and rouse some good responses. I’m not sure if it was mentioned in any responding comments but business (name) cards are considered to hold a very high honor in several Asian cultures. Exchanging name cards is a serious business ritual and for a businessperson to receive a card from someone of their senior or higher position is considered an honor. So, name cards are still useful in many ways, and yes, being creative with the application is very important for brand awareness also.
Hi Paul,
Even with the world of technology, the business card is still an important tool. Being creative will help you stand out. Thank you for stopping by.
Arleen recently posted…Alternative Fundraising Ideas Inspired by Buffet
I think business cards are still very relevant because people are experiencing an electronic information overload and it’s great to have something tangible to hold. Also, if they misplace their phones, they can still reach out to you.
Another thought, I tend to hold on to eye-catching cards just because they are nice to look out, so this is another benefit of business cards.
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Marcie,
Technology is here to stay but I don’t think it will replace the business card. At least business cards are tangible. We are like to feel and touch. I appreciate you took the time to stop by when you are on vacation
Arleen recently posted…Juggling and Balancing Business Productivity
I love the puzzle business cards mainly because it is something you can not only remember the wonderful company that it represents, but the fun you have while putting it together. The Company will always be on your mind due to the fun you just had! I create logos all the time and more, thanks for the interesting article and possible new insight for my business!
Hi Krystal,
I am happy you found the article useful. There are so many different unique business that do make a lasting impression. Thank you for stopping by.
Arleen recently posted…Juggling and Balancing Business Productivity