Benefits of having a business card

When it comes to compact, cost-effective marketing tools, having a business card still tops the must-have list with established and emerging brands.

A good business card is for more than just job hunting – it can help you communicate academic and research activities inside a relevant community in different events, conferences, meetings, etc.

One of the first and foremost tools needed for marketing is to design and print a business card. To be able to give your customers contact information, you need a business card. You can design and print a business card as an advertisement and introduce yourself to others.

Since most businesses are done digitally, you might think that business cards are no longer important and have lost their value; however, they still are one of the most important and influential advertising and marketing tools. Whatever your occupation, there are many ways a business card can improve your overall prospects. You need a business card to provide others with your contact information, explanation of your field of activity, inquiry and research.

The reasons why business cards are still important to your business are discussed below.

A business card is a cheap and portable advertising method. You can easily share it with others. In today’s modern world, even with email, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter, people expect you to have a business card. Presenting a business card proves your professionalism and importance to your business. A business card is a way of saying, “I have dominance in my research or business field and I know exactly what I’m doing.”

A business card is the first impression of your career, profession and brand. There are several advantages of using business cards.  Here are presented some of the benefits of having a business card:

A business card will keep you in mind

When you meet someone at a conference or a meeting, and give them your business card, it will help the other person keep your name and face in mind. Also, when you give your business card to people, you actually give them a reason to call you. That way, they may call, email or at least follow you on social networks like LinkedIn.

A business card will showcase your professionalism

Having a business card is much more professional than writing contact information on a piece of paper. Because it shows that you have taken the time to print the information needed to communicate professionally. In addition, think of a conference where everyone is exchanging their business cards and you don’t have a business card! It does not sound satisfactory, yes?

A business card will prove your credibility

Matthew Schieltz in an article on Chron, “The Advantages of Business Cards”, says that “business card can represent trustworthiness, honesty, and reliability that a company or business person would attach his name and number to a physical card. Not only is a company’s reputation or credibility at stake if no business cards are used, but the company stands the chance of being forgotten about when a prospective customer departs from the company’s or representative’s presence.”

A business card will provide convenience

Business cards are pocket friendly and very easy to carry in a wallet, purse or pocket.  Business cards are small enough to hand out, tack on a bulletin board, enclose in a letter or display on a store counter.

How to design an effective business card?

If you look at your desk or drawer, you will find dozens of business cards in different colors and shapes from different people. But have you used them all? Or have forgotten over time?

Sam Hampton-Smith in an article on JukeBox, says “creating a simple business card design doesn’t mean playing it safe or sacrificing the identity of what you intend to advertise. A minimalist design, done well, can be elegant and professional while enhancing your brand. Before you get started, consider the benefits of a simple, minimalist design.”

Provide your name, your title, the company name, and contact information. In addition to writing down your contact information on your business card, you need to make sure you keep people informed of what you are doing.

People may want to have your website or email address. If you don’t like business messages filling in your email, you can have two email addresses; one on your business card and the other for personal use which you give it only for those who you trust.

An example of how to list your information could be:

John Smith
Vice President of Marketing
(555) 555-5555
123 Electric Avenue
Boston, MA 02108

Write a cool note on your business card and surprise people. For example, “you’re more likely to survive a plane crash than to survive pop-up ads!” when you do this, other co-researchers, professors, entrepreneurs, and clients who receive your business card, will enjoy enough not to forget you at all.