As an independent contractor, I’ve gone back and forth about the advantages of having business cards. Much of my work comes via referrals, existing relationships or “meeting” me on the internet, and I very rarely meet someone in person where I have the opportunity to suggest they “call me if you need me.” However, it certainly wouldn’t hurt any to be able to hand someone a physical reminder of my services and contact information. There’s no guarantee they’ll remember my last name when they get to their open search engine bar. And worse, there’s someone else out there (albeit across the country) that has the same name and works in the same field. If my potential client were looking at my business card while typing in my email address or URL, there would be no risk of them sending my business to a woman in California who specializes in medical writing.
Of course, the technocrats want to convince us that paper business cards have gone the way of the dinosaur. Smartphone users can now download Bump, which is a free app that lets you “bump” your phone against another user’s to exchange contact information. Convenient – very (if both users have Smartphones). Personable – not so much. A business card conveys a lot more information than just your fancy title and contact information. Design choices, paper stock, and of course even the digital version explained previously all convey to your customers the type of service they will receive in doing business with you. Do you want to be seen as cutting edge? Creative? High end? Budget friendly? These are all factors to consider before signing off on a box of 1,000 imprints that you want to be proud to hand out to potential customers.
Business cards can be printed quickly and very inexpensively by many vendors, but there are many simple choices you can make to help make sure your card doesn’t get lost in the pile of miscellany.
The simplest example is to make your card look or feel differently – reverse the type on a colored background, re-orient the card so it reads vertically, or select to have the edges rounded instead of squared off. If you’re willing to spend a little more, you can opt for raised printing or a heavier cardstock. Whatever you choose, first imagine your card being emptied out of a wallet, purse or pocket at the end of a business day or trip – these very simple suggestions will help your card stand out quickly from everything else the person is holding.
But that’s just the beginning. Some businesses, especially creative ones will always have a case for sharing a physical connection with guests/customers/clients, etc, and if you’re willing spend a bit more on making that lasting impression, there are plenty of opportunities. For inspiration, check out this list of 70 gorgeous business cards that definitely grab the recipient’s attention.
And if you’re ready to take the step beyond the traditional business card, read this article by Brain Pickings for information about Bump and two other virtual tools used for connecting business contacts.
