Have Millennials Killed Business Cards?

Why would you need business cards when you have a smartphone and LinkedIn?

Do you feel like a “weird” dinosaur handing out business cards?

There must be far more contemporary options out there, hmm?

Let’s look into it in detail:

Are business cards still a thing?

Despite snazzy digital alternatives, the old business card is more relevant than ever.

During in-person interactions like networking and meetings, digital-only exchanges of information are simply impersonal and may lessen the sense of human connection that is so necessary in business.

I personally like the tactile experience for the same reason I like reading a book rather than Kindle.

In an increasingly digital world where everything is stored in a cloud, a business card is something you can actually touch and feel, making you more memorable and personable from the beginning.

Unlike its smartphone and digital alternatives, a proper business card doesn’t have to be charged and doesn’t run out of power. It is accessible 24×7 without fail, thus making for an always available, memorable, and relatively cheap marketing tool for you and your business.

In a sea of digital information, your card stands out just because of its tangible nature.

What makes a great business card?

To make a lasting impression, you can’t have a standard card. Make it unique, make it you, make it great.

A well-designed and creative business card makes a solid first impression.

The colour, wording, and texture of our business card have a lot to do with its appeal and its ability to convey your company image.

A great business card is creative

Personalize your card in a way that reflects your brand’s personality. Anything that is out of ordinary will catch people’s eye.

Cards in non-traditional shapes and sizes get attention.

Go the extra mile and opt for some metallic foil printed leaflets to lift your image to new heights. By providing something unusual, people will be less likely to bin the card. Instead, they will attract the eye and encourage a potential customer to read the information upon it. 

You could also use 4-inch-by-7-inch cards/leaflets that fold over (like a mini brochure), cards made of plastic, or cards with photos on them.

You could also give your business cards additional uses. Your card can be used for loyalty stamps, calendars, or magnetic cards.

For example, if you run a salon, you may use calendar-card to mark the days when your business offers a cheaper rate or free samples.

Or if you run a food-related business, write short recipes on the back of your card

Magnetic cards work very well for businesses offering recurring services like plumbing, accounting, gardening, pet sitting, hairdressing etc. People put them on the fridge to refer back to on a regular basis.

A great business card is simple

Do not cram too much information on the card. Keep it simple.

It’s best to only include the essentials:

• Company logo
• Your name
• Job title
• Company name/website
• Company address
• Phone
• Email
• A short tagline or call-to-action

If you run your business from home, you can buy a virtual address from a site like https://physicaladdress.com which gives you a legitimate office address and forwards your work mail to your home address.

Registered PO address means that if customers check your address on a website or Google maps, it shows a centrally located office block rather than your home address, which is a good way to make your business look professional.

A virtual office enables businesses to have many of the benefits of a physical office, but without any actual space or desks, saving you tons of money along the way.

NB! If you run an event, Printastic offers large banner designs you can use to get people’s attention. Beautifully branded and customised designs needn’t be expensive to looks inviting and professional.

Is the cost of printing business cards worth it?

While many assume that print marketing is expensive, it actually costs very little to print off a pack of business cards.

So yes, they are worth it.

You can order 100 business cards online for less than £6 on some sites. 

You can also print your own business cards and marketing brochures. All you need is a printer and ink via sites like CartridgeSave. Make sure to buy cardstock paper and check that the ink you buy is suitable for cards.

Modern alternatives to business cards – are they worth it?

Let’s look at 3 alternatives to business cards so you can judge for yourself whether or not you should go for one.

1. LinkedIn

Yes, the popular professional networking is one of the prime reasons Millennials don’t have a business card of their own.

As long as your profile is public, anyone who knows your full name can easily find you on LinkedIn.

The one drawback it has is that if you have a common name like ‘John’ or ‘Mary’, finding your profile can become a frustrating exercise. The same applies if you have a common company name.

2. Smartphone apps

Apps enable an instant exchange of contact information by scanning and storing business-card contacts.

However, the con is that your contact information can and will get lost in the sea of contacts on the average smartphone, thus rendering it effectively invisible.

One way to get around this issue is to have a custom app developed for your business by https://dreamwalk.com.au. This could make a big difference to you and your bottom line.

3. Video card

Video has taken the world by storm, which is why it deserves a special mention.

Video cards that enable the viewer to interact with them via buttons are an interesting alternative to the regular business card. But like all things digital, a video card easily gets lost in the sea of content on an average smartphone.

What’s your take?

Do you still use a physical business card to promote your personal brand or business? Share your thoughts and views in the comments below.