It’s a question that’s surfacing more and more in professional circles: is the business card dying out? People are wondering whether it’s becoming redundant. Is email taking over? Social media? Some other form of digital communication? It’s a question that needs answering, so that businesses up and down the country have the right tools to go from strength to strength.
Firstly, let’s discuss what the business card has to offer. It’s a common human trait that people struggle to remember a name when they first hear it, especially when there are lots of introductions or there’s lots at stake at, say, a networking event or business meeting. Business cards solve the problem, enabling you to present people with all the contact details they might need going forward.
It’s also a reminder for when that person gets home – they’ve got something tangible to hold onto, which they can later reference. Most importantly, perhaps, is the business card’s professionalism. It’s far better than fumbling for a piece of paper and a pen, which could put off prospective clients.
An alternate method is using email, which might prove more effective for some people. In a situation that would normally require a business card, you could instead drop them an email there and then to start a professional correspondence straight away. This comes across as slick, modern thinking, and presents you as a person who is clearly adept at communicating.
It makes perfect sense, though it’s not about to wipe out the business card as an integral part of B2B communication. Everyone knows the pitfalls of digital devices – what if the battery dies? What if there’s no Wi-Fi signal? On top of that, your customer might not be digitally minded – it really depends on who your target audience is. A business card will never let you down, as long as you’re carrying enough of them.
That said, a poorly designed business card could have a negative effect on your brand. It’s got to reflect your brand values and reassure your customers if it is to effectively represent your business and get the job done. There’s so much that can be done with them, giving your business card the potential to be far more personal than an email. There’s a huge choice of styles available too – Helloprint business cards have a vast range of design templates; over 10,000 in fact!
It’s wise to always be prepared with a set of good business cards that perfectly reflect your company. It’s the most powerful single business tool; it’s small, costs very little and, unlike digital communications, it’s not so instant that it disappears from memory as quickly as it entered.
Even in today’s digital world, the humble business card still has a place.