HarryCaray

HMFIC

The old timey business card

Went on-site with some prospects last week for the first time in 18 months, and luckily I still had a few business cards in my computer bag and wallet. Completely forgot those were a thing! My customers were quick to hand theirs out as well. I know LinkedIn and email signatures has reduced the need for these somewhat, but I still think they're useful and relevant. I think it says something about their intention to keep the conversation going if they go out of their way to hand you their card. What do you think?

Do you have/use business cards?

Attached poll

Yes No

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🔎 Prospecting

🏙 Corporate Experiences

🛠 Tools

44 comments

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Incognito

WR Officer

Master of Disaster

I absolutely use mine and ALWAYS have some handy - if no one is using them, even better! Makes you stand out as organized and professional. Pro tip - always carry blank ones with you as well, in case a prospect doesn’t have one. That way they can write their info down for you and you just proved how you’re proactive and a problem solver!

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

Holy crap, I've never considered that. Where do you order blank ones from, or do you get those from your company?

Incognito

WR Officer

Master of Disaster

Idk, just wherever you order your normal cards from?

Ive always had my own done anyway, and altered the boring corporate template just a tad. For example, I use the Steve Martin trick and have “this certifies that you’ve had a personal encounter with me and you found me to be warm, polite, intelligent and funny” written under the logo on the back (instead of just a logo).

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

yeah i don't order my own cards, company does, that's why i was asking. But thanks.

Beercules

Politicker

SDR

I got given a box of really slick cards when I started my current role - and I am yet to use them. They are too thick to turn into a filters which has made them useless

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

yeah i got a box of like 1000 or something when I started too, no where near through all of them haha.

Dorsia4Two

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

I used to have the most tasteful card you could lay eyes upon. Silian Rail lettering on a stock called “Bone”. Great coloring.

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

Patrick, is that you?

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I keep them in my laptop bag, purse, and my car. I give them out anywhere I strike up a conversation, not just meetings. Love them.

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

Exactly, I was just about to add something about that. Doesn't have to just be for my job, I can still hand them out to anyone I want to exchange information with. Especially because it's got the email I check most often, plus my cell number.

Sgt_Trollingham

Valued Contributor

Business Development Director

Does anyone have any opinions on trying to stand out with business cards?

Metal cards?

Thicker cards?

Square cards?

QR code to scan?

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

So I do use a heavier paper stock. I think metal looks cool, but you can't write on them. You should see the number of my own biz cards that I have info written on.

Sgt_Trollingham

Valued Contributor

Business Development Director

I was debating going 90-10 paper to metal... like bringing the metal ones to some high profile clients, lol. Not sure if that comes across as douchey though.

ppg

Catalyst

All around good guy

I sell aluminium (clad) wood windows. We have metal sampling for the colours. I wish I had a business card with our sample Colors. It would be great to hand to customers. Here mrs customer, take these 2 business cards and decide which colour you want for your windows.

ppg

Catalyst

All around good guy

AND my customers keep asking for my card, they are a bit older, past 45-50 usually, but they want to have it. Also having that card laying in their wallet or their desk is almost like having another touch point. They see it then think of you.

Incognito

WR Officer

Master of Disaster

See my replies above 👆

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

would love to hear about anyone who walks around with a stack of metal business cards haha

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

No, but we don't do face to face meetings so there's really no point.

Craggus

Opinionated

Key Account Manager

Check out the Tapt by Hatch cards - these are the way forward. Combining a physical card with digital tech.

Kinonez

Celebrated Contributor

War Room Enthusiast

I had the same thought, we still use them in my office though...

NotInterested

Catalyst

Business Development Manager

I understand if you don't do face to face meetings and not have them.. But I think they're helpful regardless. What if you end up meeting someone at a bar or anywhere and they end up being a great prospect for your company? What're you going to do, write your info on a napkin...yeah..real professional. Get your company to make you some damn business cards. They are so cheap and a great way to get your name out there despite how "timey" they may seem.

I go through stacks and stacks of cards. I hand em out like candy.

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

Yeah I agree, there's inevitably going to be a time where you'll want to exchange info with someone (work related or not) and don't have anything to write with, or don't want to pull out phones and look like you're 16 years old asking someone for their number.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Absolutely, just got some fresh ones!

In-person conferences are coming back...

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

conferences are where I go through most of mine. Probably need to order more in advance in fact. Good reminder!

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

My employer was acquired during the pandemic and the new parent company doesn't provide cards to individual salespeople. Not super helpful now that tradeshows are backs.

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

wow, I'd definitely make a stink about that, or maybe just order some and try and expense them.

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

Nope, after years of fighting bad corporate and start-up systems, I've given up. If the company wants to shoot itself in the dick, I simply let it now.

UserNotFound

Politicker

Account Executive

Every blazer, winter coat, purse, and laptop bag has a hefty supply of my cards! I always use them.

Boutdamtime

Politicker

Client Executive

How sick would it be to have ninja stars with your info on them and you could throw them into your prospects office door if you miss them on a cold call

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

now there's an idea. INVEST!!!

deviantzen

WR Lieutenant

Consultant

My company used to make them for us. When I sold in the field and made cold drop ins it at least gave me some credibility.

sellingsellssold

Politicker

SDR

I'm old school and like business cards and I think when dealing with the older generations it can be useful and help to standout. If you have extras it does not hurt to use them, and see what you think.

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

I'm definitely a traditionalist as well. My customer base is usually boomer and older, so it kinda helps. They like the card exchange ritual

Tapati0

Opinionated

Business Development Manager

My industry is still big on business cards so I still use them. I made some personal ones up with my info and a link to my website with my resume/portfolio (design driven industry - office furniture) and that’s been a huge help when I’m networking especially since I’m trying to get back to that industry and a business card is a heck of a lot easier to hand out than a full sized resume.

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

that's a good idea. Have you considered having 2 separate cards? One for your job and one for personal networking with the resume'?

Tapati0

Opinionated

Business Development Manager

That’s exactly what I’m doing. My company provides company business cards and I had those personal ones made up separately.

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

that's smart, I'll probably look into that too. Could even have a QR code on there or something.

Tapati0

Opinionated

Business Development Manager

Made mine through Staples and picked them up the next day. They have some pretty easy templates to use. $15 for 250 or something last time I made some.

fuzzy

Notable Contributor

CMO (Chief Meme Officer)

:hands business card to someone: “Tell your friends.”

GDO

Politicker

BDM

I’m a bit old timy so I do like them. On the other hand my company decided to not order them anymore.

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

I have them, but I don't think I've ever used them except for sandwich shop giveaways and at conferences.

alecabral

Arsonist

Director - Digital Sales Transformation

I haven't used business cards in the past 15 years!

MR.StretchISR

Politicker

ISR

Wow I'm jealous - I'm in the states but work for an Aussie company and they are freshly terrified of COVID. It's gonna be awhile...

berrinsermet

Contributor

senior account manager

I still use business cards and see its benefits on my potential clients.My business card holder makes a good impression on them as well as my business card. The people who carry business card take a look at this blog http://www.mensleatherwallet.net for stylish business card holders

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HarryCaray

The old timey business card

Do you have/use business cards?

44 comments

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