In the era of digital dominance, there is one thing that has been left unchanged – the importance of networking. Building a network of people is still an important part of professional development and partnership. While an online presence is crucial nowadays for keeping in touch, it’s face-to-face communication that brings people together.
One of the ‘must-haves’ of setting instant connections is a business card. Some may claim that with a smartphone at our disposal, there’s no need for anything else, yet, it’s quite a misconception. The business world still values traditional approaches to creating connections. Let’s explore the benefits of having a business card while everyone else is armed with social media accounts.
Importance of Carrying a Business Card
Time-saving
Business cards are time-efficient by all means. They are quick to create and quick to share. What do you need to create a business card?
Personal information (contacts) to reach you, brand logo, and slogan (if available);
Choose an appropriate business card template online – consider the layout of information;
Customize the colors;
Save the card and print it on thick and textured paper.
It’s crucial to elaborate on the colors, fonts, and overall placement of contacts, as they will create an image of your brand.
Setting personal contacts
Making digital contacts is imperative, as basically, everything is processed through the Internet. Despite such convenience, it has a big and main downside – lack of personality component and complete ignorance of direct communication.
When communicating with a person, you shake hands, make eye contact, evaluate the manner of speaking and interpersonal skills, exchange thoughts, etc. As a result, you can clearly see if that’s the person you will be willing to cooperate with in the future and instantly share your contacts with the help of a business card.
Convenience
Smartphones are a treasure trove of functions and commodities, up until the moment when the battery goes dead, or there’s a network failure, or there are system bugs or the applications are incompatible, etc. The sad fact is that one of these “or” will almost always comply with Murphy’s Law, thus, at the moment of account exchange, your phone will fail to respond adequately and all communication will be lost.
Alternatively, you can exchange business cards, avoiding all the embarrassing moments of looking for the account, checking the stuff, etc. However, it’s important to be reasonable when sharing the business card. Don’t just give it to any person you see, make the contact first and have a meaningful talk to make sure it’s a person you would like to keep in your network. Otherwise, you risk seeing your creation thrown to the dustbin.
Being different
The business universe likes difference and uniqueness. While everyone can come up with an endless list of accounts on social media, the person with a business card will stand out from the crowd. It will benefit the first impression and create a favorable image of a holder.
Direct marketing
All the companies are investing in internet promotion, trying to reach as many new clients as possible, or maintaining the proper level of communication with the existing ones. However, your email can easily get lost in the list of unread messages, or be sent to a spam folder.
When you hand in a business card, you make the first step toward being remembered. A business card is a direct exposure to your brand. By combining skillful small talk and an elaborated business card, you evoke the interest for further research into the company.
Sign of credibility
People appreciate the proof of physical existence: back in the day, it used to be a brick-and-mortar shop and a landline; nowadays, it’s a business card of a real person with a contact list.
By using a business card, you make a clear statement about serious intentions and a professional approach. As long as it contains all your contact information, you send a message of being available and open for cooperation.
Leveling up for a business
Representatives of big companies and corporations will never be satisfied with the quick exchange of LinkedIn profiles, they will do card exchange, as it’s a sign of business culture. Even if you are just starting, it will help to make your way higher, creating connections with necessary people, and claiming your existence.
A business card is about success and status. Sharing a business card is an important element in raising your brand awareness around the business world and creating a network of cooperation. Despite all the convenience of digital networking, the traditional ways of making contacts are still highly appreciative and influential. The business card is your marketing tool which will work for your benefit if properly elaborated, considering the key features of your brand. Unlike what digitally-oriented businesses think, business cards will never become obsolete, as they make part of the classic-style business and classic is timeless.
