They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and nowhere does this ring more true than in the world of networking.
Business cards have been around for centuries – in fact, the origins of the humble 85mm x 55mm rectangle of card can be traced back to the 15th century, where the upper class would use them as calling cards to announce an intention to meet another individual.
In 17th century London before street numbers were in existence, came “Trade Cards”, small cards informing people where the business was and what services it offered – if one was signed, it was considered legally binding.
Fast forward to 2018 and thankfully handing out your business card is far from the etiquette minefield it was centuries ago.
So let’s take a look and see why your business needs a business card.
Make no mistake; a business card is one of the most important marketing tools a business can have at its disposal, and people expect you to have one.
It’s a highly personal form of marketing, and does exactly what you need it to. A business card is a highly personal form of marketing, and does exactly what you need it to. Business cards serve the key purpose of marketing your business and getting your key contact information into your client’s hands… all in a matter of seconds.
Fundamental to the value of the business card, is its portability. Wherever you go – they go, making it easy to take them with you if your work involves travelling, or whether you frequent trade shows and conventions.
A good business card creates an image of professionalism, credibility and loyalty – all of which score high on a potential client’s list of criteria when making a decision.
The humble business card is most definitely a low cost, high benefit marketing strategy and should be firmly installed in your armoury when prospecting. We design stand out, good quality, professional business cards at affordable prices.
Business cards can help you establish your brand, which in turn makes your business more recognisable. The key details you should include on a business card – your name, logo, tag line, contact details and social media icons – set against a design of your choice can create your company’s identity and reinforce your brand with everyone who sees it.
Creating a business card design from a blank canvas gives you the unique opportunity to make it memorable, put your own stamp on your company’s identity, and if you get it right you can really connect with your target audience.
Hands up if this happened to you: You meet someone, exchange pleasantries then walk away and promptly forget what their name is and what they do.
A business card can create an opportunity out of nothing. That opportunity may be a great business partnership, a new lead, or establishing meaningful contact. When talking to a prospective client, you can introduce yourself, what you or your business does and hand over contact information quickly and effectively. No fumbling around for a pen, just a brief (but productive) interaction.
The very definition of good networking is making meaningful connections, and in today’s hi-tech world of social media and smartphones, there can be no substitute for the personal touch the business card brings.
And that is what people will remember.
Here are some of our favourite fun business card designs from our Pinterest Account
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
In today’s tech-charged world, where people carry so much information in their pockets, it’s reasonable to question the value of the traditional business card.
But business cards are still a key marketing tool for new entrepreneurs, even in 2023. A thoughtfully designed card can do a lot to propel your business forward. Modern business cards, both the traditional paper variety as well as digital ones, can expand your name in the marketplace, strengthen your distinct brand, build connections and legitimacy and, ultimately, drive sales.
Business cards remain unquestionably valuable even as technology swirls around us. They represent another outward extension of your brand, a powerful device to connect with customers and a handy tool to legitimize your business.
Whether you are running a new or established operation, business cards are a savvy, cost-effective and relevant marketing tool offering a range of business-boosting benefits. From easily sharing contact information to shaping potential customers’ perspectives about your venture, here are nine reasons the modern business card remains relevant.
For all the promises and speed of the digital age, business cards are the most straightforward way to share key information about your business. You never know when you’ll meet a potential customer or partner, so it’s smart to have business cards on hand. When you share your business card, you’re handing the recipient a tidy overview of who you are and what you do.
Having a high-quality, well-designed business card at the ready signals professionalism and preparedness. It legitimizes your business and, particularly for new ventures, delivers a shot of credibility.
If you went to a fancy restaurant and received an error-laden menu on plain copy paper, wouldn’t that compel you to question the establishment’s quality? Odds are it would. The look and feel of a business card can similarly inspire confidence, elevate your brand and distinguish you from competitors. With premium stock and features like embossed gloss, you can show you are an invested professional who’s focused on the details.
Hosting key business information, such as your website, email and phone number, a business card encourages people to contact you, visit your business (online or in real life) and learn more about you. Another way to encourage customers to engage — and hold on to your business card — is by adding an incentive. Maybe it’s a free consultation, or a 10% off coupon when they make their first online order. Handing someone a business card can be the first step in forging a relationship…and strong relationships are critical to business success.
Remembering names after a first introduction isn’t a skill that comes naturally for very many people. Offering a business card takes that pressure off and increases the likelihood that the person you just met will put together your face and name and ultimately contact you again. Business cards can also prompt people to schedule an appointment, swing by your shop or peruse your products and services online.
Personal referrals and word-of-mouth advertising drive business results. Cards are frequently passed along from person to person, or you may arrange with colleagues or other businesses to distribute each others’ information. An artist, for instance, could display their business cards alongside their pieces for interested aficionados to collect and share, or a bridal boutique might gather up the cards of local tailors, florists, photographers and caterers to recommend to its customers.
When you tell someone you own a restaurant or fitness studio or another niche business, they’ll probably want to know more. Handing them a business card pushes that conversation forward. And if your business card features a unique design or dynamic feature, you’ll have even more to talk about.
When a business card lists your website or social handles — or features a QR code that will instantly open your site on a smartphone — you increase the likelihood that people will enter your digital orbit. Once there, they can explore your products or services, connect with you on social media, book an appointment with you online and more. Business cards open the sales funnel and increase the probability of customer conversion, which is the ultimate goal of any marketing endeavor.
With URL and QR code information, modern business cards are like a ticket that leads people back to you. Anyone who receives your card has a tangible reminder of your interaction and won’t have to do any legwork to track you down. Even if a person tosses your business card after they connect with you on social media, the card did its job in securing a valuable digital follow-up.
Much like a sponsorship banner at an event, business cards offer a branding opportunity. Putting your logo on the card creates a consistent brand experience that becomes recognizable and easy to remember. Take your brand consistency up a notch by using the same color palette and fonts across all of your marketing materials…including your business card.
Business cards say something about the vibe of your business. If you run a fine-dining restaurant, then a premium paper card featuring foil accents can underscore your establishment’s high-end feel. A wedding photographer specializing in a photojournalistic style, meanwhile, might feature their best spontaneous image on the back of their card to demonstrate their skill at capturing unscripted moments. Your font choice can also speak to your business’s style — are you whimsical, or scholarly? Feminine or masculine? Minimalist or maximalist? That fine-dining restaurant might opt for a sleek sans-serif font, while the photographer might choose typography that feels more free-spirited.
Your business is one of a kind, and your business cards should reflect that. Fortunately, a diverse array of business cards are available to fit your vision, objectives and budget. Standard business cards usually come in glossy, matte and uncoated stock, and there are many potential upgrades to enhance them. You can also explore premium options, including unusual shapes and textures, such as rounded corner cards and eco-friendly papers. Specialty options like waterproof plastic cards or painted edges can further differentiate your business.
To create an especially distinctive, individualized look, commission VistaPrint’s design services and collaborate with a professional designer.
For small business owners who are looking to bridge the real and virtual worlds and stay ahead of the tech curve, consider digital cards. Business cards with QR codes can instantly bring smartphone and computer users to your web store, help them to make online appointments, prompt them to join a loyalty program and much more. You can even take it to the next level with near-field communication (NFC) business cards. With this tech, potential customers and partners can use their smartphones to scan a chip embedded in your card and transfer your information directly to their devices.
It’s worth noting that digital business cards are growing in popularity given their customization potential as well as their straightforward and contactless nature. In fact, the market size of digital business cards is expected to top $242 million by 2027, according to Market Research Future. The timeless benefits of traditional business cards coupled with the common usage of smartphones enhance the appeal of modern business cards and present new opportunities for engaging with customers and partners.
Whatever your industry, the age of your business and the services or products you offer, the tried-and-true business card remains an essential marketing tool.
Business cards empower a more personal introduction to a prospective customer, deliver a tangible invitation to further engagement and give your business credibility and polish. Even more, business cards present an opportunity to bring new customers into your world, spur ongoing relationships and ignite deeper interest in your business. And when combined with modern, tech-fueled features like QR codes and NFC chips, business cards construct a valuable bridge to the digital world.
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