After lockdowns and social distancing, the past years have reminded us of the importance of in-person interactions. Typing messages and chatting on conference calls is a great way to stay in touch, but it canât replace the emotion and impact of being face-to-face, and it certainly doesnât leave an impression in the same way.
Take the humble business card. Did you know that 27 million are printed every single day? Despite being in the digital age, the business card remains a time-trusted tool for people to introduce themselves and their workâand most importantly, to be remembered.
Business cards are so effective because they serve as a way for recipients to take a bit of a conversation away with them. Itâs like a memento that encompasses not only the content but the contextâthe setting, the body language, and of course, an idea of what the business is.
Below, our experts explain why business cards are still important, and why theyâre set to keep their significance even as technology takes over.
The Value of Traditional Business Cards
In an online world, offline marketing adds a level of validation. It acts as proof that companies really are what they claim to beâand for that reason, offline marketing will always play a role in business. Itâs why the business card has been around since the 15th century.
In fact, 72% of people judge a company or person based on their business card, partly because people expect that plenty of time and effort goes into a business card. But thereâs also a sense of safety that business cards offerâthey hold peopleâs direct contact information, which makes recipients feel like theyâre getting an exclusive, personable service.
Sure, a âContact Usâ page on a website can show the same information, but it typically has a more sterile format and doesnât have the same intimacy. It doesnât make the person feel special or attended to. Not to mention, we may be in the digital age but that doesnât mean that the internet is always accessible. There are inevitable moments when we canât get online, and when the chance to connect with someone can be lost. Handing over a business card, however, requires no device or signal.
The Impact of Digital Services on Business Cards
The remote revolution has certainly forced brands to step up their creative game. With so many businesses competing for audiencesâ attention, itâs getting harder to cut through the noise. But as some companies opt for expensive solutions to help them stand out, the mighty business card can be far more successful.
Ambre Zachmann, our Ecommerce Marketing Specialist, says âthe push to online has made print material more enticing and valuable since itâs less common.â She goes on to note that curating an experience around a business card will get peopleâs attention much quicker than the usual digital ploys. âYou could place your card in a larger mailer with instant coffee attached and a message saying âletâs catch up over coffee.ââ Cool, right?
The crucial element of business cards in the digital age is that they have to be well designed and bring your brand to life. If youâre introducing yourself to someone face-to-face, seize that moment and use your business card to animate your companyâs story and DNA. According to Melanie Handl, our Custom Solutions Team Lead, âif you have a dog-walking business, try a fire hydrant die-cut or a foil-stamped leash. If youâre an artist or photographer, a spot UV or embossed paintbrush is powerful.â The possibilities to communicate your personality and brand are endless.
How Has Hybrid Work Further Impacted Business Cards?
The business world has gone through a lot of big shifts lately. With hybrid work now the norm, in-person meetings and sales pitches arenât taking place in the same way. But that doesnât mean that more traditional tactics like business cards have lost their shine. The opposite in fact. Business cards are evolving with the times.
Hybrid work demands hybrid branding. Ambre explains that âwe have to tie our digital efforts with physical experiences to help prospects and leads trust your brand and repeat your messaging.â For example, if youâve just held a webinar, send leads your business card in the mail afterward to create a fun, unprompted moment of unboxing.
Business cards can also be included in a âthank youâ package for people who have had initial touchpoints with your brand. Additionally, a great idea is to add QR codes to your business cards that link to interactive content, suggests National Account Executive Nathan Gardner. âDoing so will link your card to your digital strategy and show recipients that youâre modern with a classic twist.â
What Business Cards Do That Digital Intros Donât?
With businesses increasingly operating 100% online, thereâs been a lot of focus on digital introductionsâsending emails, referring people, and selling yourself using a range of tools. But the reality is, weâre getting saturated with all these inputs and that means weâre becoming desensitized to introductions that could really benefit us. Itâs a case of âoh, another cold message from someone I donât know. Move to trash.â
The physicality of business cards gives people a visceral takeaway that is harder to ignore and forget. As Melanie says, âhave you ever run your hand across some rough wood? What about a nicely polished piece of marble or granite? Maybe you have a favorite set of sheets or a favorite t-shirt that just feels good when you put it on.â These experiences sit with us because they generate a feeling. A business card is no different, âitâs a virtual handshakeâ Melanie adds.
Business cards are also a way to distinguish yourself from the digital space. Ecommerce Sales Manager Katie Younge believes that business cards are a more unique form of identity. âEveryoneâs LinkedIn has the same layout but business cards can be customized, and are more cost-effective than creating a website and buying digital marketing tools.â
Think of how many people you look up online. How many of those names and positions do you remember? The likelihood is not many. Not only are business cards cheaper and more personalized, but they also spark a deeper connection between parties, and that value is worth far more than any volume of digital introductions.
Big things come in small packages. And even bigger opportunities come from business cards. Tap into your paper potential today and check out our impressive selection of business card printing features.