The corporate world is comprised of a wide array of industries that each cater to different audiences. But in order to prosper in the market, you need to work hard for it. This involves a series of hits and misses in terms of job offers, business deals, and other once-in-a-lifetime shots in the industry. While having a compelling sales pitch ready is enough to leave a lasting impression, there’s no better way to solidify the encounter even more than with a good business card. But with a business card, it’s more than just about passing out contact information to your prospective market, as it’s also about making every encounter memorable enough to open doors to better opportunities.
A business card is a simple promotional tool used by corporate entities to connect with their respective markets. It comes in various shapes and sizes, and have been utilized in different ways over the years. But as we slowly welcome the age of instant interaction brought by digital communication, do business cards still have a place in our world? It’s difficult to determine how future developments may affect the general purpose of the average business card templates but if there’s one thing for sure, they certainly won’t phase out anytime soon.
Our understanding of the average business card revolves around the basic concept of contact details being printed on some special paper. But little do we know that it hasn’t always been that way. Truth is, best business cards have been around much longer than you might have thought. For centuries, these cards came in different forms and were exchanged in various ways. Yet, they all served a similar purpose. The history of these cards go deeper than our general knowledge of them, and the following points depict the interesting backstory that modern-day society no longer gives value to.
With the birth of electronic mail, video calls, and online meetings, are business cards still as important as they were many years ago?
It may be a debatable topic for some to argue about but to answer this question in the clearest way possible, here are five reasons why business cards are still relevant in today’s age of digital communication:
The advancement of technology allows us to connect with others in the most efficient way possible, regardless of where they are in the world. While this may seem convenient to most, it’s also extremely impersonal. It no longer values the importance of personal interaction in building relationships, much like how today’s society is struggling to create bridges with one another.
With the help of a business card, you can create genuine connections with your prospects. You can start actual conversations and keep potential clients engaged throughout the whole encounter. This also allows customers to learn more about the company, especially if they have questions and concerns that they would rather discuss face-to-face.
Email marketing, advertising brochures, TV commercials, and other paid media all do a remarkable job in drawing attention towards a brand, but little do some entrepreneurs know how a simple business card exchange can seal the deal just as perfectly.
The distribution of business cards can be done in various ways. But they are best used during situations where contact is abundant, such as trade shows, conventions, conferences, and the like. That being said, arming yourself with a load of business cards ensures that you can make the most out of every opportunity thrown at you. As for casual encounters, carrying around a bulk of business cards isn’t exactly an ideal thing to do, so you might want to keep some in your wallet or bag just in case.
When we think of business logos, we immediately associate such with its respective brand. Similarly, everything about your business card reflects the identity of the brand it represents. But it’s more than just the card itself, as this also includes the exchange of words with your prospective clients. The goal is to create a business card that is memorable enough for one to recall the meeting in a positive light. It’s about making an impact that could fuel a series of conversations even after the encounter has taken place.
Unlike billboard ads and newsprints, business cards are small objects that may be carried around and handed out at any given time. What makes a business card different from the regular verbal exchange is how it enables the brand to stay with your prospects for as long as the card is with them. Let’s be honest, what are the chances of you remembering the name or number of the person when the whole ordeal is over? And because of how handy these cards can be, people are likely to keep them close and use them whenever the time calls for it. After all, even if a client does not seek for your services at the moment, that doesn’t mean you won’t be of any help in the near future.
Nothing’s worst than being forced to write your phone number down on a table napkin and then handing it over to leading prospects, all because you never thought business cards were necessary, to begin with. Not only is this extremely unprofessional (not to mention embarrassing) to do, but there’s a high chance of it ending up in the nearest trash bin as well. And between an individual who awkwardly scrambles to find a pen and paper and a person who swiftly pulls out a well-made business card, who would you rather do business with? A business card serves as one of your best weapons, so you always need to come prepared.
There are times when we feel the urge to hand over a business card to potential clients and investors, but feel as if we aren’t in the right position to do so. While it’s important for us to take advantage of every opportunity at hand, we must also consider the situation in place.
Imagine handing out business cards to random mall-goers without initiating a conversation. Instead of building a connection, you’re actually scaring people away. Keep in mind that business cards are meant to be professional, they aren’t scraps of paper with your number on it that you could just hand over to every good-looking individual of the opposite sex. It’s important to use these cards accordingly, specifically during situations where both parties may benefit from it. For instance, after you deliver a sales pitch to some big-shot executive. Whether or not the individual asks for your business card, pulling it out already portrays confidence. It says a lot about your character and can leave a good impression every time. In turn, this can lead to better opportunities and possible business deals. These cards are also great for keeping in touch with prospects to discuss further matters after business meetings and other similar occasions.
Furthermore, business cards may be utilized by volunteers of non-profit organizations as well. This is great for striking sponsorship deals with companies who may either doubt your position as a member of the organization or the credibility of your cause. Through the card, representatives may reach out to the entity you represent for further verification.
The common misconception about business cards is that it’s merely seen as a tool for giving out information to prospects. But it’s more than that, as it’s also a great opportunity for us to connect with prospective clients on a more personal level. It makes us seem more human than the typical corporate robots in dark vests and fancy shoes that society has become accustomed to. With that in mind, it’s important for us to be aware of the essential ingredients of a powerful business card for us to attain its desired outcomes.
Meetings with potential clients typically start with simple introductions. But it’s unlikely for both parties to remember each other’s names days after the actual encounter. It’s pretty obvious why a name is a significant part of a business card, especially since there’s no good reason why you should keep your identity a mystery from the card’s holder. The card must have some sort of statement that indicates who owns the card — either a person’s name or a business name — for contact and reference purposes. Having even the slightest knowledge about the entity behind the card is also a great way to develop trust.
You’d be surprised how many people hand out business cards without stating what their job title is in the company. The title plays an important role in the business card, as it gives the holder an idea of what they may hire you for. For personal business cards, your position in the agency must be specified, while commercial business cards may indicate the services being offered by the company. Without such, prospects could possibly question the credibility of the card and the entity behind it. This can also be helpful in determining the nature of the business, especially if the company has yet to establish itself in the market.
How do you expect executives, associates, clients, and other prospects to get a hold of you if they have no way of reaching you? A business card without contact information is as good as nothing. The whole point of a business card lies in the personal connections being made from person to person. Imagine how insulting it would be if you provide your prospects with a generic email address or general phone line where they’d have to go through at least five different phone operators just to reach you.
Instead, consider taking the traditional approach. Make sure you have a business phone line and a business email available before you start printing your cards as well. This allows you to keep your private life behind the curtain, while still being able to maintain personal ties with prospects. However, try not to fill the card with every possible contact option, focus only on the specifics that seem necessary to the situation you are in.
The average business card has three essential attributes: a name, a title, and one’s contact information. But with a thousand other cards bearing the same exact specifics, how do you expect prospects to differentiate you from the others?
For every business operation, it’s all about standing out from the competition. This can be quite challenging, considering how other companies have the funds and manpower to do so with ease. Knowing this, you might want to think about taking the old-fashioned approach with the help of a traditional business card. But in order to draw attention, you must design your card in such way that optimizes every corner of the tiny canvas to its full potential.
It’s hard to deny how something as simple as a business card could promote a brand just as effectively as other print and digital media. Not only is it small enough for one to hang onto, but it also bears a sufficient amount of details for it to be considered both useful and reliable. The key is to make a business card that speaks volumes about your character as well as the brand it represents. So whether you’re a freelance developer, a writer, or an entrepreneur, always remember that the best business cards are those that are comprehensive, gripping and worth-remembering.
