Are Business Cards Still Relevant?

Recently, many companies have stood at a crossroads and had to decide on an important step – whether to move the company to the online world and ditch business cards. It was not an easy choice. Some traditionally run companies had to adjust their operations or face losing business.

But going online is not the only reason why the use of business cards has gone aside. In the era of the Internet and smartphones, collecting business cards is not necessary (and I will even boldly say that it is unnecessary) because after the meetings we can connect with newly met people online. A quick e-mail after the meeting will keep us in touch and help us build a relationship without destroying the equatorial forest!

business cards

A Brief History of Business Cards

The first business cards appeared in the 15th century in China – paper’s place of origin, and were initially made by hand. In Europe, however, business cards only appeared during the reign of Louis XIV in France, where they served as an attribute of the aristocracy and were not related to business.

 

In the nineteenth century, with the arrival of the middle class and the industrial revolution, a business card became an essential element of business (especially in the USA and England, where it was widely used by merchants), but it was larger than today’s business cards – it was the size of a playing card. So far, some sectors maintain a tradition of exchanging business cards. This is most common among lawyers and businessmen who started their careers in the 1990s.

"A business card is an extension of you, it is an impression that you leave with a potential customer."

Well-designed business cards that contain relevant and error-free information about you and your company will make the other person in awe of the professionalism of your company. Such a business card can be considered an extension of your first impression and be a so-called second impression.

 

Remember that having business cards is not only a choice, but a decision should be made based on where we work, whether we cooperate internationally, and with whom we cooperate. If you intend to establish cooperation with a company operating in Asia, e.g. in Japan or India, you must have business cards ready because, without them, you will not even get a visa!

 

Before you leave business cards at home, think about who you are going to meet and whether you should have business cards with you. Among the older generation, it is worth considering that not all will be willing to use digital cards, and the lack of them may mean losing a contact.

What's the biggest mistake when you don't have business cards?

"How many times have you heard that 'business cards are being printed?"

You made a decision. You don’t own business cards because you run a digital business, or you just think that they are obsolete in today’s world. Don’t hide it! When someone asks you for a business card, say you don’t have one, but you can connect on e.g. LinkedIn.

 

Be assertive and don’t lie by saying that you forgot them at home, or they are still being printed – this doesn’t look professional at all.

business cards 3

Are business cards obsolete?

Not everywhere and not always. Business cards are still important and add authenticity to your business. However, they are not meant to be handed out without any thought. Remember to share your business cards with people who are interested in building a relationship with you in the future.

 

Similarly, it works the other way around – don’t be a business card collector and just throw them into THE DRAWER when you come home and forget about it straight away. Only take a business card if you have a serious intention to follow up. Otherwise – business cards will end up in the bin.

"Business cards are often treated as leaflets today".

How do you treat someone's business card?

You will commit a large faux-pas when you pick up a business card and toss it into your back pocket without even a glance or thank you. You might as well throw it straight into the bin. Not only that, but you can even offend someone by doing this!

 

Always pay attention to the business card you receive and praise at least one thing about it. Thanks to this, you will not only remember whose business card it is, but also compliment the other person and make her feel appreciated.

 

Don’t put the business card in your back pocket! Instead, put it in a jacket pocket, wallet, or cardholder.

business cards 4

What are the most common mistakes on business cards?

  • Invalid information
  • Outdated information
  • Error in your name or the name of the company,
  • Too creative – thus illegible,
  • Missing important information
  • Error in the website address,
  • Non-professional e-mail address (e.g. hunnybunny@gmail.com).

Contact management apps to make your life easier

  • CamCard: Business Card Reader: scan business cards and save them on your smartphone.
  • Haystack Digital Business Card: create your digital business card, scan others’ business cards.
  • Switchit Digital Business Cards: create your digital business card and share it with people – the app creates a link that anyone can open without installing the app.

We live in a time of change. What we once thought necessary suddenly loses its value. It is worth paying attention to trends and adapting to the world around us. Do you think business cards are obsolete?

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