Some professionals & bloggers think that marketing with business cards is overly saturated and furthermore, that social networking sites have taken their place.
This is simply not the case.
While social networks and virtual business cards are becoming an alternative, there is still a huge demand for traditional business cards, especially when the cards truly reflects YOU and your brand.
I was at a social media conference in Oct., and although I’ve exchanged twitter handles with the women I’ve met, we were still exchanging business cards at the end of each conversation.
So no, business card is not dead or a thing of the past. It is a powerful tool to cultivate relationships if used correctly.
And don’t stop there.
Thank you cards can also take your relationship building up a notch. Think about it, how many professionals and businesses send thank you cards after meeting with someone? If you want to stand out of the competition, sending a thank you card is a surefire way to do just that.
Make It A Business Investment That Will Pay Dividends
If you think the thought of creating your own cards is even the least bit daunting, save your energy and outsource the task. Leave it to the professionals to create your marketing materials that best convey your brand. You want to make the best first impressions.
A professionally design cards can say more about your business than the words written on it. Much like your website, it should deliver your key message, the feel, and identity of your brand.
Keep It Simple
There are numerous creative business cards and ideas brimming the net that would work perfectly with your business. A sign that traditional business card trend is still going strong.
Be unique.
Just because you can put all kinds of information on a card doesn’t mean you should. There simply is not enough space on a card for QR codes, social networks, blogs & website addresses, e-mails and phone numbers.
Instead, utilize high quality paper, attractive designs and shapes (think MiniCards) and eye- catching fonts that can help you stand out from the crowd. Just make sure your cards fits in a standard wallet.
And to give you some inspiration when designing your business card, check out this examples of unique business card designs.
Smart Ways To Use Business Cards
Some marketing etiquette should be practiced to make these tools work for you without blindly passing them out.
Don’t be that guy.
You know the guy at networking events who goes around saying hello to everybody so he can hand them his card as if he is trying to meet a sales quota?
“The riches people in the world look for and build networks, everyone else look for work.” Robert Kiyosaki
Some networking gurus advice us to hand our business card when asked. And I think that’s a sensible advice.
The challenge is to make the person ask for your card. If you practice your networking etiquette well, the person will ask for your card as a pleasant way to end a great conversation. The ideal aspect is to make others WANT to know more about what you do, and this will warrant an invitation to display your professionalism & value accompanying your business cards.
