Image of businessman giving a business card from Shutterstock.
Many years ago, I ordered a set of 150 fancy-dancy business cards that I thought would help make an impression as I forged a freelance writing career. I was partly right; the oversized, double-sided, matte card with the QR (!) code always garnered the same response when I handed it to someone: Ooh! Nice card! The receiver would run a finger over it – the velvet finish makes a lovely swoosh sound – flip it over and remark on the code or ask me if I’d designed it myself. Then they’d tuck it in a wallet or purse and we’d either continue a conversation, or part ways with a promise to “be in touch.”
While my cards have been worth every penny I paid for them, I’m reticent to invest in another set. These days, since nearly everyone and their grandmother (literally) is the owner of a fairly decent mobile phone, it seems almost archaic to hand someone my card when they can simply add my details with the push of a button – or, better yet, send me an email on the spot. Ergo, the amount of time that lapses between “give me your details” and, “we’ll be in touch” is measured in minutes and hours instead of days.
And let’s face it: with texting, email, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat, Periscope (or whatever it is the kids are into these days), Google – or heck, just the six degrees of separation in a city like Toronto – it’s fairly easy to locate and contact someone when you’re in need.
But with companies like VistaPrint and Moo still offering a quick turnaround and affordable price on a decent set of cards, it begs the fairly obvious question: is the business card dead? Entrepreneur magazine contributor, Johnathon Long doesn’t think so. He cites branding and direct marketing as primary reasons why business cards are essential (he also has custom-designed metal cards, which are pretty freaking awesome and appear at the end of his article) for anyone trying to grow their business. Over at Forbes, writer J. Maureen Henderson disagrees, and has three good reasons why they should go the way of the dodo.
I put the question out to any and all of my peers on social media, and this is a sampling of the responses I received:
Via email from my friend Inobe: “[Business cards] are still very relevant. The digital divide still exists – especially with older/aging first generation immigrants (les nouvelles arrivées). For example, in my dad’s office, he caters to an older and aging clientele. Cards. They have no patience for my social media nonsense. So to answer your question, no, but marker specific. (BTW this just happened two minutes ago: I had no time to talk as I was getting a client at the elevator. “Do you have a card?“)
Another friend, Mirlo, agrees that cards hold weight with older clients: “I use mine as well for networking, but I feel like they’re just to show that my business is legit since we don’t do any advertising, especially with older clientele…the cards are really boring-looking though.” She adds that younger clients are more likely to use modern methods of exchanging information and details.
And what about these younger/older generations? What’s their take on the business card?
Thom is a beekeeper and gives lectures and classes on honey and hive products (it’s true!) and he says that, “I have them to give out to people who attend my lectures. I make them available to those who want them. I get a lot of follow-up contacts. They are also handy since I can never remember my cell phone number, so I refer to them often.”
With texting, email, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat, Periscope (or whatever it is the kids are into these days) and Google, it’s fairly easy to locate and contact someone when you’re in need.
Marlene is a Canadian Ph.D Student, Department of History at Rutgers University. “I have some,” she says. “I hand them out at conferences, which are huge for networking. My cards have my school logo on them. This is work for me. My business. I have to represent myself, my brand. Business cards with my website and number are easy ways to do so.”
Here at FreshGigs.ca we talk a lot about how to make the most of networking, and although most of the articles mention doing your research, perfecting your elevator speech, or mastering the follow up, few of them mention business cards. Quite a few people from my informal poll told me that they use their cards primarily for networking purposes.
“I still use them, but mainly at networking events I attend on a weekly basis. I’m going to download the app that scans business cards so I can give back the card to the person. I’ve got too many piled up on my desk,” quipped Natalie. Lisa, a writer, says she hands out personal cards with name, gmail and other pertinent info. “I use them more than my professional cards,” she adds.
“I have some – just never seem to have any when I need them,” Patricia laments. The busy executive director states that she also typically uses them for networking, but “I don’t ask for them very often, but I personally don’t think they are obsolete yet. They may soon – but hopefully not too soon; actual human contact is the best kind of networking!”
I was surprised by how many people felt that the business card had its place – and that people actually had (and still used) them.
And then there was Seema. A communications manager for a financial institution, she had this to say: “I rarely use a business card – The only time is with external vendors that I’m partnering with or when entering those terrible draws at company events. I don’t think I’ve ever asked for a card. Like, in my life. In a business setting, they’re relevant, but I think it’s obnoxious when someone says ‘I’ll email you my details.’ and you didn’t even ask for them! So, I think right now, it’s still the most elegant way to make initial contact.”
So what’s your take? Do have/use business cards? Are they still relevant? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.