In this age of digital communication, social media and, businesses going online, it would be easy to assume that business cards are now obsolete. That would be a costly mistake because growing your business is still about people, networking, and relationships. A business card is a key tool in fostering good business relationships for five main reasons.
- The professionalism shown by your readiness to do business and the first impression of a well-designed card can get you off on the right foot. Exchanging cards also allows both parties an opportunity to follow up and remember key details for when they are needed.
- Establishing your brand and credibility at the very first touch point in the client’s experience is invaluable. Even with an online business, your business card can include a QR code or a call to action that drives them to your online offering.
- Expanding your network requires getting your details into as many businesses as possible and in the hands of key people through referral networking. If a person has your business card, it is so much easier to refer business to you after they have had a positive business experience with your business.
- Easy and convenient to carry so that you are always ready to network and also convenient for your client to keep for action later. A few business cards in your wallet are all that is required to be ready at any opportunity.
- The personal touch of handing a physical card to a person can make you stand out from the crowd. It also shows that you value face-to-face interaction and are willing to interact on a more personal level.
Business cards remain a vital tool for any professional as part of their networking and marketing efforts. In a world of impersonal, digital interactions, a business card can, from the first impression, establish your credibility and your grasp of the importance of a relational approach to growing your business.
While it is essential that you always have business cards with you, the following points should be considered to make sure they work best for you:
- Make sure you get a professionally designed card that suits the purpose of your business interactions. (You could even have specific cards for specific events.)
- Don’t overcrowd the card with too many details. It is not a brochure, it is your first point of contact and a connection to you and your resources where further detail can be provided.
- Get your card professionally printed and consider adding finishes or detailing that will differentiate your card from others.
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