The power of the business card

As a startup, one of the most definitive ways that you can announce yourself as a serious entrepreneur is through an attractive and properly designed business card.  The business card, though it may be considered ‘old school’ in this new age, digital world, is still a powerful marketing tool.

Aside from creating a great first impression, the business card is a low cost tool that is easy to carry anywhere business is conducted. 

In the context of networking, it is the easiest way to leave your information with a contact after an engaging conversation.    Imagine that you just caught up with a contact who you’ve been trying to reach for months and at the end of it, instead of handing him a professionally designed business card, you jot down your contact information on the napkin you picked up off a table from across the room --- unprofessional, right?

The business card also serves to add credibility and legitimacy to your business pursuits.  In other words, prospective customers, partners and investors will be more inclined to take you seriously.  As alluded to in the previous scenario, the piece of napkin on which you jotted down your contact information, may just end up in the garbage before the networking session is completed.

To get the most out of your business card, it is advised that you use the card as part of the set of initial marketing tools to establish your brand.  So whether it’s a special colour, logo design or use of a particular font, your card should be used to launch your company’s look in the market.  While the card may carry your company’s slogan, it must include your full contact information i.e. telephone, email, website and social media handles along with your name and title.

Image courtesy of www.hongkiat.com

Use of the business card also offers a personal touch.  Because most of what we do today is digital, that face-to-face interaction capped by presenting an outstanding business card is bound to leave a lasting and memorable impression of not just you but more importantly, your business.

Finally, the most powerful reason to use a business card is that it shows your preparedness for business. If you look back at the scenario which was painted earlier, two persons are vying to do connect with a large corporation, one scribbles his information on a piece of paper, while the other presents a proper business card to the corporation’s influencer --- who do you think the corporation would be more inclined to do work with?

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