Business Cards— Paper vs. Virtual
Over the years, the traditional paper business card has lost favor within the modern business world. With electronic communication though e-mails, the Internet, and social media, the paper card printed with your name and business information seems old-fashioned and outdated—a product of the "print era." So how do businesses get their contact information into the hands of interested prospects?
By finding unique and clever ways to present your card, you can create a memorable moment for a potential client or customer that will make your agency stand out. Here are some ideas to help present your printed business card with impact:
- Hand it personally to the contact with a firm handshake and direct eye contact. Unlike e-mails, text messages or social media postings, which face the risk of instant deletion, a first-person relationships holds advantages that no e-mail, phone call or tweet can equal.
- Mail it in a follow-up letter, attached to a proposal or brochure, or with a product sample. This keeps it front and center as the prospect reviews your materials.
- Leave it with a person who can help you contact others. By leaving your card with the CEO's personal assistant, who you have just been chatting with to make a good impression, chances are he or she will pass it up to the boss.
For younger professionals, they may prefer just to use e-mail, the Internet, social media and cell phones to exchange digital cards and contact info. Sending an electronic card for click and load entry in the recipient's digital address book is now becoming the modern-day "business card." Consider how these new technologies are enabling new and memorable tactics for business cards:
- Add scannable smart tags/QR codes or include weblinks for a customized user experience.
- Use custom holographic designs and "3D" effects or use cards made of laser-cut aluminum, wood, mylar, textiles or recycled plastic.
- Use alternatives to cards such as coasters with mobile tags, magnets, magic balls, or even serve them as edible candies or cookies.
The bottom line—as the traditional paper business cards dwindle from use, your "card" could evolve to be anything you can dream up. Whether it demonstrate your interactive capabilities, a clever creative idea executed electronically or you just stick with a plain and simple print card, consider why you're using them, and how to use them for greatest impact on your future prospect or contact.
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