Complete Story
04/21/2017
Reasons to Have Business Cards
by Maria Christensen
In the modern digital age, business cards might seem like a throwback to simpler times, but they're still a convenient way to create an instant first impression of your business on potential clients. Don't avoid electronic means of exchanging information, such as smartphones, but think of business cards as complementing digital communication. Some people are more comfortable with business cards than smartphones, and vice versa, and you should be ready to promote yourself regardless of the situation.
Marketing
A professionally printed card on quality paper lets people know your company cares about details. Think of your business card as a compact brochure advertising your business. An unusual design or dynamic logo can make your card stand out in a pile of cards. Include a tagline on the card that sums up what your company offers, or create two-sided cards with company details on the back, and invite potential customers to contact you for more information when you hand it to them. Have your website address printed on the card to make it easy to learn more about your business.
Networking
Business cards are a viable networking tool in a variety of situations. Networking is all about making initial contact with potential clients or people who can recommend your services to others and business cards provide an easy way to introduce yourself and your company. Keep a supply of cards with you in an attractive holder when you attend business events, such as trade shows and industry conventions. Don't overlook social situations as a way of leaving an impression with your business card.
Contact
You can make a great impression on someone in a face-to-face meeting, but you have to follow it up with contact information or it ends right there. Business cards can include more details than an email address or phone number, and handing someone a business card is faster than typing information into a digital device, allowing more time for conversation. Your cards should include location information and phone numbers, but go beyond the basics to make your card more intriguing by adding web addresses for company social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter.
Convenience
Digitally conveying contact information is not always convenient or appropriate, and there will be occasions when all you have time to do is introduce yourself and hand someone a business card. Not everyone relies on or is comfortable with digital devices, such as smartphones and tablets, so business cards are an essential tool for letting people know how to contact you. Some people also appreciate more traditional forms of communication and expect to exchange business cards.
