Business cards: just as necessary today or as early as 1990?

The business card dead? No, alive and kicking!

Has anyone ever written their contact information on a napkin for you? And no, not during a date. Or what do you think of a cell phone with an empty battery? Not the most professional approach. Suppose you meet two people. One person is eagerly looking for a pen to write something down. The other one conjures up a surprising business card out of his pocket. Who would you like to do business with? With a business card, you show that you are always prepared.

Nowadays, we may not primarily use business cards to share contact information — that's what we have LinkedIn and smartphones for. Instead, business cards are an extension of our identity. If you do it right, you'll make your business card more than just a piece of paper that ends up in the trash.

Business cards may not feel very personal, but the moment of exchange still ensures engagement and personal contact. And you're less likely to have that via LinkedIn, FullContact, Evernote Hello or the website.

Create a business card: what do you put on it?

Information

Are you going for traditional ones with name, position, phone, email address and logo? Or just your LinkedIn profile? In any case, links should not be missing on a modern business card. You can share your portfolio via LinkedIn. Or better yet, create a separate landing page on your site.

Website

Of course, you don't just put your website address on the map to show that you have one. That is a no-brainer today. So put a short, attractive link to a landing page on your business card. One where, for example, you post a short introductory video and explain what you can do for each other. Also nice: a freebie or offer as a “network thank you”. Do you know it? RFID card already? It's actually a business card with a chip. Or what do you think of the card with NFC technology? The chip it contains sends you to the desired website, app or shop when you hold it to your phone. The technology is still under development so it doesn't work for all phones yet, but keep an eye out!

Mini pitch

Use your business card as a mini elevator pitch. This is because such a card is extremely suitable for a tagline that helps people remember you when they sit back at their desks.

Photo

In a world where personal contact is becoming less and less common but increasingly desirable, a photo is fun. A professional version, though, and no selfie or vacation shot, of course. An additional advantage: you remember faces faster than names.

Show, don't tell on your business card

Show what you can do instead of just mentioning your job title. Make people laugh. Intrigue them. Let the imagination color it in. Can't you think of anything? Let someone else be creative for you. Give people a reason to contact you. Even if it's just to tell you how much they love your card. And, creative or eye-catching cards be shared!

Dare to think differently: business card alternatives

Are you no longer able to use a standard business card? Think of something else, but always choose a format that suits you and refers to your services. One rolled up mini yoga mat when you teach yoga, a credit-card sized cheese slicer for the cheese supplier, a bag of seeds as big as a business card for Patrick Zaad or a tool that fits in your wallet for the bike mechanic.

You can't imagine it that crazy! For example, a business card with conductive ink. When you hold such a card to your smartphone, the ink sends the information to your phone. And how would your contacts react if you hand them a Tony Chocolonely bar with your contact details? At least you have the attention!

All hope jettisoned?

Of course, there are also plenty of business card alternatives. Have email addresses typed into your phone so that you can email your details immediately. This also makes you more selective about who you exchange data with. Or use a business card scanning app such as CamCard, FoxCard, or ScanBizCards. No more stacks of business cards for you!

No longer need the business card? No, he'll stay a while

With a good business card, you don't just exchange data. It offers you an opportunity to connect in a personal way. And that personal touch is exactly why a good business card won't be replaced by a digital networking tool for the time being. It's the human factor that keeps the business card alive.

‍