Did you know 27 million business cards are printed globally each day? That translates to about 10 billion business cards per year. But you might be wondering, what is the importance of business cards in our increasingly digital world and are they still effective?
Well, according to the findings done by Credit Donkey, "a company's sales increase 2.5% for every 2,000 business cards handed out." For a multi-million dollar company, that could mean thousands of more dollars in return for a stack of cards that can cost as low as about $20 to make per person.
But even if you aren't a giant corporation, there are still many reasons for you to have a business card. Here are eight reasons why business cards are important and how they can help you stand out.
Imagine walking into a work event that is full of people and you end up striking up a really great conversation with someone. Then as the person is about to leave, he or she says, "It's been really great talking to you! Do you have a business card?
If you don't have one, you would have to fumble around awkwardly for a piece of paper and pen to write down your contact. Or this person would have to take out their phone to enter your information, which is both time-consuming and inconvenient. And what if they forget your name? How do they even look up your phone number?
If you do have a business card, however, then you can just hand it off to the person and walk away feeling confident. This brings us to the number one reason to have business cards.
When you have a business card, it signals to people that you have experience with networking. It tells people it's not your first time and that you or your company cared enough to make something specifically for this reason so as to not waste other people's time. It tells them you value time and efficiency.
Furthermore, it also demonstrates that you or your company believes in your business and have given thought to the image and branding of your business. Business cards don't just have your name, email, or phone number on it, right? It also has graphics, logos, and images. Together, all of these elements project an image of you and your business.
Let's face it, in our information overload world, we can only remember so much. Whether you work in a profession where you do or don't meet many people on a daily basis, it can still be a challenge for some of us to remember other people's names and faces.
On average, every adult human being has about 50,000-70,000 thoughts a day. It's unrealistic to expect everyone to remember your name, email, and phone number. Having a business card solves this problem. It erases the pressure for both parties to remember each other and people appreciate this small but thoughtful gesture.
Lastly, sometimes when we think we might need someone's help in the future, we want to have a way to remember them but not necessarily keep them in the forefront of our minds yet. That's when we're happy we kept someone's business card.
Despite the world becoming more and more digital, there is plenty of evidence around to show people still rely on business cards. Look at the front desk of any place you visit occasionally such as your doctor, dentist, or accountant, they all have business cards and day after day, they have to refill them.
Not everyone is fond of using their phones to store everything. Not everyone is fond of looking things up everytime they want to get in touch with someone. If you look into anyone's wallet or drawer, chances are, they will have someone's business card stored in there and actually use it.
When you hand out a business card, you're handing out a physical extension of yourself and your business. It's something a person can hold onto, touch, and feel and while it may not seem that different from typing in your information into someone's phone, there is a sensory difference to it.
Instead of staring at your name and phone number on a screen, next to dozens of other phone numbers, this person can look on a business card where your information appears in a unique text, different colors, and on something that feels nice. A business card feels much more personal because it is a physical object. It is real and it can be touched unlike information on your phone which only exists virtually.
Nowadays, with same day printing and custom templates, anyone can design unique business cards easily and quickly. With tons of materials like cotton, linen, or even suede, and ink choices to choose from, you don't have to worry about having the same business card as someone else. The combinations of designs are endless.
A well-designed business card also doesn't just tell your name and contact information, it tells the other person who you are and your style. If your business card really stands out, people will look at it several times and ask you about it. It becomes a conversation topic and it's a great way to engage people and end conversations in a memorable way.
Your business card is a small piece of advertisement that travels with the person who carries it. It may not be the intended design of business cards but they often do end up being passed around or stuck on bulletin boards in public spaces. In coworking spaces especially, business cards tend to be passed around a lot because everyone is always looking for help from someone.
If your service is good and people like what you do, chances are, they will share your information with other people. And if they have your business card, this makes it much easier for them to pass on your information.
One easy way to promote yourself is to hand out your business card to family and friends who can help you spread the word. Another is to put referral codes that offer discounts or rewards to clients who use them.
Another reason for why business cards are important is that even if someone is not completely sure about your products or services, leaving them with your business card tells them you are available for them when they are ready. You are giving them the option to get in touch with you without pressure. This works perfectly for people who need a little more time to decide.
In addition, if you have a website, you can leave the website's address on there for people to look you up. Maybe they are curious about your business and want to ask you questions but they are shy or simply prefer to do their own research. Having your website on your business card will give them the chance to find out more about you on their own and it'll also generate website traffic for you.
Although business cards have been around for many years, they do not show any signs of stopping. In fact, in certain professions, business cards are a way to display status and success.
For example, some companies started making business cards with diamond studs for top-tiered executives, and another started linking 3D images for customers to view them through apps. While both of these options are a bit on the extreme end, they work to capture their target audience's attention and remember them, which is what business cards are really about.
Of course, you do not need to have premier business cards for people to remember you. What's important is that you know business cards are still very much relevant in today's business world and they won't be going away anytime soon.
Some people argue business cards don't work anymore because they end up in the trash but these are also the same people who are not using them properly. They make small talk during networking events, give out their business cards, walk away, and think they're done. This is not the most effective way to use business cards.
To make the most out of your business cards, you must take the time to learn the best settings to hand out your business cards and how to identify the correct people to connect with. If you engage with the right people and make meaningful conversations, you'll have much better luck with someone taking and keeping your business card.
If you'd like more tips on how to design and print the perfect business card for you, visit our website today!
You can be incredibly creative in the way you used business cards. You can establish a useful connection with potential customers, clients, and numerous types of businesses. One of the best features of business cards, they are affordable. Plus, they are great to have on hand at all times making them a great marketing tool.
There are many different types of card sizes (Standard, Thin, Square, European, and Folded), fonts, and color schemes available to ensure your business cards reflect you and your business.
When I receive a business card, I create an opinion about the company as soon as the card touches my hand. Is it thin and flimsy? Is it thick cardstock? Was it printed? Was it embossed? Is it a traditional business card size? To me, having a quality business card equates to having a successful business. – Chris Ake, Grand Apps
One of the most traditional uses for business cards is an appointment reminder. You’ve seen them all over town from a physician’s office to a styling salon. You can easily use them for your own company whether it’s your store, an architect, or a construction company.
You are already establishing meetings with your customers, partners or business associates anyway. Business cards are a way to remind clients and customers of upcoming meetings while making sure they have your contact information. You can hand them out when you make a sale or leave a display with other businesses to help increase sales and brand awareness.
One of the best ways to get repeat customers is by placing a business card in every bag. The shopper will look at the card later, and many will put them on their refrigerators as a reminder of your business, product or service. You can include your contact information, upcoming sales and exciting facts and news about your business.
This is a way to remain in contact with your customers long after they have left your store. Not only are they great for your repeat customers, but you can also include them when creating a swag bag for an upcoming charity event or a goodie bag for handing out at your next conference.
Referral cards can give your business a nice boost. Just like any promotional materials, you’ll want to make sure the card is well designed. Not only should they be appealing, but they also need to have the necessary information that is easy to read and understand.
Hand these cards to your best customers so they can give them to their friends and family. Offer a discount for the individual if the person comes in and presents the card. Providing a discount when this person makes their first purchase is an excellent way to increase your business. Make sure you decide on your program.
A recent study found that non-cash incentives are 24% more effective at improving performance than providing a cash incentive. Interesting in learning more? Take a look at HubSpot’s article on How to Build a Customer Referral Program.
Sam’s club is a great example of including a referral program with cards. They urge members to refer their friends and family. For each referral that joins, a $10 gift card is mailed to the existing club member and a $20 gift card is sent to the referral.
You can have a coupon or discount printed on the business card. Place them on display in your window or the counter for your customers to see easily. You can offer a reward for customers giving them out when they make a purchase.
If your customers enjoy your products or services, there is a good chance they will return to redeem the coupon.
Everyone loves to get something for free. If you are selling raffle tickets, a business card is a cost-effective alternative to an actual raffle ticket. Allow plenty of space on the card to enable those who enter to write their name on the back of the cards.
When you pull the winning card, it is much easier to have a name than a raffle number to identify the winner.
An information card enables your customers to learn about your business, products, and services. You can also include information about how you began your business. Adding a little personal touch can go a long way. When creating your information card, be creative.
You can include a calendar that can help keep the customer informed about upcoming sales, promotions, events, and festivals. The standard business card size is 3.5″ x 2.”, so they are relatively small which makes them easy for customers to grab and keep for later.
Your business cards will make exceptional event tickets. When you are having an event, you can have cards printed with your business information, logo, venue information, time, and date of the event. You can further entice your customers by using fantastic design.
Allow the ticket to get noticed by adding Stamped Foil, Raised Foil, or other features.
Every day, we have the capability to create new business contacts. This may be while having lunch, at the bank, or during a visit to the post office. You can have various conversations with these individuals, but that does not mean they will remember you, your business, products, and services offered.
When you provide them with a business card, it serves as a reminder. When it comes to the “how to create a business card design,” try to include features such as Spot UV and an eye-catching image, as this can help the card stand out more.
This is a friendly competition with some similarities to the referral cards. The idea is to see how many people you can give your cards to within a set period or how far of a distance your cards can travel. You can figure this out by connecting your game to social media including Facebook or Twitter.
You can get some of the surrounding business owners to participate and have a prize for the winner. Not only will it be a lot of fun, but you can also increase your customer base and brand awareness.
Your customers will enjoy having a loyalty card for your business. Business cards are just the right size making them easy for customers to hold onto, but also to stamp or punch every time a customer makes a purchase. Loyalty cards will help your customers to continue to come back to make make sure they continually get their card punched. This will help your business keep and ultimately increase repeat business.
Members of customer loyalty programs typically spend up to 18% more than other customers. via @HubSpot
For more information on starting a loyalty program, take a look at Sophia Bernazzani’s article on The Beginner’s Guide to Building a Customer Loyalty Program.
You can use business cards to create a referral network with complementary companies. A good example would be a bakery partnering with a kitchen supply store or an accountant partnering with an office supply store.
Find a few businesses that compliment your products or services and provide one another with a stack of business cards for your customers.
If you are selling jewelry, (earrings, necklaces, pins) business cards can be an exceptional way to display the pieces effectively. All you’ll need to do is punch a couple of holes into the cards to insert your jewelry piece. Make sure any critical information such as the name of your business is displayed easily.
Have you recently started to engage your business with social media? Creating a campaign can get your customers involved with your company and brand. Print business cards to make them aware that you are active on social media and create a custom hashtag for them to use when sharing images of your business and products.
By doing so, this can help build customer awareness.
Resource: Best Times for Businesses to Post on Social Media
Do you have any creative uses for business cards? Let us know by commenting below.
Establishing and growing a business is a lot of hard work. Business cards can make the process a little easier. They are versatile, enable you to create a distinctive statement, and will benefit your business. Try using them in one of the ways listed above and observe the effect it has on your business.