Do Business Cards still Matter?

At a recent event I was handed a business card which listed some of the owner’s online networking URLs on the reverse.  It got me wondering if, as the number of people involved in social networking grows, this trend will become more commonplace.  Actually I hope it doesn’t and here’s why I say that.

Business cards are still very collectible when you’re at face to face networking events.  They provide an aide-memoire of who you met, where & when, and what line of business they’re in – as well as a means of staying in contact.

The back of a business card is a very valuable piece of marketing real-estate, although it's often overlooked.  It can carry an explanatory message about your business, ask questions that will resonate with your target market or offer a compelling reason for people to visit your website.

We now have so many ways of connecting with and staying in touch with people online that we’re spoilt for choice.  But provided we have one website address, it should be possible to go there and find details of the social networks, blogs etc, they belong to.

I really think it’s such a waste of a marketing opportunity to put nice-looking social network avatars and personalised URLs in the space where you could be reinforcing your marketing message. It’s almost as bad as not putting anything at all on the back of your business card!

Another much overlooked position for a short marketing message is your Email Signature, but I’ll leave that one for another time.

What do you think - do business cards still matter?

Comments

[LouiseBJ]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to share your thoughts about business cards! It seems we all have slightly differing views - borne out by the very individual cards I see.

Craig, Of the thousands of business cards I've studied, I haven't seen your idea before, what a great conversation opener!

Mark, your card certainly sounds as if it will arouse curiosity so people want to learn more about a tax advisor who engages in social networking.

Victoria, I agree with you about it needing to be you that leaves the strongest impression - I like to think your business card will bring that back to mind after the event!

Claire, you raise some very interesting points - not least is the need to be aware of business card etiquette in different cultures. I worked for a Japanese company for several years and when handed a business card they actually have a short ritual to show respect for the card and therefore the person it represents.

It will be interesting to revisit this topic in a few months to see what impact social networking has on business cards.

Thank you again for commenting.

[Claire Boyles (Business Coach)]

Great article :)

Business Cards do of course still matter- for the reason you stated- to be able to write down notes of how you met the person, what you chatted about- and what action you promised to take (if you did) vital- if like me you meet a lot of people - you will not remember every person instantly.

Leaving a space on the back of a business card is essential - as is making sure that your card isn't laminated (Laminated cards are very difficult to write on!).

I do use both sides of my business card, but I make sure that there is plenty of space on one side should anyone like to write down a few notes.

I also recommend putting social network contacts on the business card as well- it reminds people of the many ways they can stay in touch with me. The reason why there are different networking sites is because they do differ- and different personalities prefer different ways of communicating- some prefer twitter, others LinkedIn...

One final word of warning about business cards- if you're ever in Japan please resist the temptation to write on any business cards- this is considered extremely disrespectful and distasteful!

If I should ever meet you and we exchange business cards- please feel free to write away to your heart's content :)

[twitter.com/BookMarkLee]

What you say makes sense Louise although I can't fully agree as the back of my business card lists my personal website, blogs and social networking profile pages.

My thought process was that this enables me to go beyond the main link to our business website (which features on the front of the card). It shows that there is more to me than the Tax Advice Network and that I'm active in social media. It also gives people the opportunity to choose how to connect with me after the event at which we exchange business cards.

If the only url was our business website this would determine the nature and point of all future contact. This may be best if you are a 'one-man' band but I don't agree it's right for everyone.

Having said that I am a big advocate of leaving room on the back of your business card for people to make notes. Personally I use such space to note when and where we met and of any key follow up notes - especially if I have promised to do or send anything.