With people carrying with them an accumulating amount of technology
on a daily basis, it is no wonder why the business card attracts the occasional
peculiar look. Is there perhaps a neo-perspective
developing in terms of these tried and true slips of convenience? It may be wise to reevaluate your business
circle to determine if they will indeed benefit your growth or inhibit it. Today, business cards are becoming increasingly
outdated by the minute. But an artist
would be unwise to discard the basic pencil, no matter how obsolete the
remainder of the world may view it.
There are some that do not believe in the concept of
business cards in the least. This past
weekend, I was approached during a music video by a magazine
representative. When I made a comment
about passing my business card to the rep before wrap, he replied, “I don’t do
business cards; might as well just throw it in the trash ‘cause you’re just
going to do the same after you save my number.”
I had previously received this response, so it did not catch me by
surprise. However, when it came time to
wrap, the representative again pulled me to the side and asked for my
information another time. I was ill-prepared
for such a personal exchange that I had completely forgotten to reapproach him
myself.
It is never harmful to carry some with you at all times,
however be ready to drop the idea at a moment’s notice and instead save your
contact information directly to their cell phone. Keep in mind that your card should be
personable as well as professional, representative, and memorable. There is nothing worse than someone looking
to contact you and not remembering your card, or not remembering who gave them
a particular card. Below is an image of
my own business card that I had to compose at the last minute without any
templates, so I utilized a promotional deal using basic Vista print. My card is bright and fashionable, and has
ALL of my information on it. My number
is on one half, with all professional information on the other. It is extremely effortless (and incredibly
memorable) to merely tear my card in half and exclusively provide either my
number or professional information.
Always ready to leave an impression!
With the risk of being on the frontier of any movement, it
may be wise to adopt this new attitude towards business cards in order to appear
more personable and available. This can
show the business world a number of things: they will be working DIRECTLY with
you, you do not carry pieces of paper to give to just ANYBODY, you are
genuinely interested in maintaining a relationship, you do not procrastinate, and
if you are saving THEM, not just their information, amoungst other business
partnerships (big and little, same league!).
Also, eliminating the card eliminates the possibility of losing their
info, so you may let a good connection slip!
Furthermore, being the one to propose the paperless exchange can make an
impression of its own.
