With advances in technology and people relying on this technology to keep in contact with others, some have deemed business cards as going to the wayside. They argue that with easy ways to store contact information such as in an email list or through networking sites such as LinkedIn that business cards are becoming irrelevant.
To put it plainly, they’re wrong. Business cards are far from irrelevant or on the way out. If you are a business owner that markets or has contact with people interested in your business and someone tells you that you don’t need business cards, find a new person for business advice. Business cards are extremely useful. Even with emerging technology that allows quick sharing of information via mobile devices, until everyone uses that technology business cards are still necessary (and even then they still will be at the very least useful).
Why are business cards so useful? The list of reasons that could be generated is huge. So here are a few of the big ones:
1. Networking: Business owners often find themselves networking. This may be at a formal mixer, at a trade show, at a local community event, etc. The business owner is likely to come into contact with someone who may have an interest in their business. They may want more information, such as your location or your website. They may even want to call you some time to discuss business. How in the world can a business owner possibly give them all of this information in a quick and easy way, and so that they will remember it? A business card. It’s quick, clean and effective. And when that person goes home and empties their pockets, they’ll pull out that business card- ensuring they don’t forget about your conversation.
2. Referrals: One of the best sources of new business is referrals. Whether you sell muffins or real estate, nothing boosts someone’s confidence in doing business with you more than someone they trust recommending you. A satisfied customer may ask for a couple of your business cards so that they can tell people they know about what you do. Maybe Aunt Margaret loves blueberry muffins and she just has to try yours. Or maybe cousin Dave and his wife Emily are getting married and looking to buy their first home, and are in need of a trustworthy realtor to help them navigate these unfamiliar waters. Having business cards available to facilitate these referrals is crucial.
3. Professionalism: The fact of the matter is if you own a business, someone is bound to ask you for a business card. It may be to remember your hours, to contact you about a product or service in a week, to give to someone else, or to just keep handy in their purse for future reference. If they ask, and you say you don’t have business cards, you’re hurting yourself. Don’t think it is enough to just say “Oh, go on our website. All of our information is there.” They didn’t ask for your website address. If they wanted to just go on your website for the information they would have said that. And hey, if they do ask you for your website address, what better way to give it to them than on a clean business card so they don’t forget it!
