An underestimated marketing tool
Many business owners underestimate the importance of business cards.
They do not merely hold contact details such as email address, phone number, website address, etc.
Business cards are part of marketers’ branding exercise to help you stand out from the competition and make your brand memorable.
How you share your contact information with people will form a first impression within seconds of receiving it, and it could potentially make or break a business deal.
To get the most out of your business cards, you need to learn when to hand them out.
Identifying the correct people to connect with is the key to creating meaningful conversations and improving your chances of them keeping your business card and doing future business with you.
The most common business card mistake is…
Cheap Paper!
People judge your business by your business card. It’s often their first impression of your business.
If you choose low-quality paper, they may assume you provide cheap quality products/services.
The Pros:
Professionalism
When you have a business card, it signals to people that you have experience with networking and are prepared.
It demonstrates that you believe in your business and have considered its image and branding.
It’s Much More Personal
When you hand out a business card, you’re handing out a physical extension of yourself and your business. It’s something a person can hold onto, touch, and feel.
Using your smartphone to swap contact information immediately is convenient, but not personal. You can’t get to know someone or have a conversation when both of you have your heads buried in a phone.
Help People Remember You!
Let’s face it, in our information-overload world, we can only remember so much.
Whether you work in a profession where you meet many people daily or not, it can still be challenging for some of us to remember other people’s names and faces.
Grab Attention Quickly
Paper-based business cards can instantly make an impression when a client touches them.
If your business card stands out, people will look at it several times and ask about it. It becomes a conversation topic and a great way to engage people.
It’s A Marketing Tool
Your business card is a small advertisement that travels with the person who carries it. Business cards are often passed around.
Business cards tend to be passed around in coworking spaces because everyone is always looking for help from someone.
You Can Leave Them Around Everywhere
You can’t leave your smartphone at a small business and ask the receptionist to spread the word.
You can take a handful of your business cards into a shop and ask if they will display them at the front for you.
Business cards are convenient in that they can be left anywhere you want.
The Cons:
Number One Reason People Throw Business Cards Away?
People live in the moment. They throw business cards away because they don’t need the service now.
Need A Professional To Design Cards
Not all small companies can afford to hire a professional graphic designer.
Only a designer with experience can create cards that make a memorable first impression.
Remembering To Keep Them On You
Just another thing to remember to take with you when you go about your daily business.
Not Environment-Friendly
Millions of business cards are printed each year, and unfortunately, many trees are cut down to make paper.
In fact, in certain professions, business cards are a way to display status and success.
The Pros:
Convenient & Cheaper
Using your smartphone to swap contact information right there on the spot is convenient and free.
Stand Out
Since not everyone uses digital business cards, you can easily impress clients and stand out with these digital formats.
Attach Your Social Media Platforms
A significant advantage is that digital business cards can link to various media. They can have links to videos, social media platforms, subscription lists, etc. This is useful in many ways. To help you promote your business.
Updating is Easy!
The problem with paper cards is that whenever you update information, you need to redesign and reprint the cards.
A digital business card design lets you automatically update the information.
Great For Contact Management
It’s so much easier to manage all contacts. Some apps have an optical character reader (OCR) that can scan a business card.
The scanner converts the contact details into digital text. The app either saves the information or syncs it with your CRM program.
The Cons:
Swapping Contact Information Digitally is Impersonal
Networking is all about making genuine connections. While sending contact information via text or email on the spot is convenient, it is also extremely impersonal.
Not Accessible To All
A significant disadvantage of digital business cards is that not everyone is equipped to access them.
Some people are simply not accustomed to getting the cards digitally.
Software Issues
As we are all aware, software can sometimes cause us headaches.
Not all digital business card applications are easy to set up or use; they can cause issues when sharing the card with your clients and others, leaving you looking unprofessional.
New innovative business cards have a tiny near-field communication (NFC) chip embedded in them.
By tapping the NFC-equipped card to a smartphone, you can transmit contact information, links, social media pages, videos, and more straight to a client’s phone.
Both Paper and Digital Business Cards are excellent when it comes to sharing your contact details and making a lasting impression.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages for businesses. Their use will depend on your branding strategy and who your target market is. We recommend using both types to gain from their advantages.
