Do you still use business cards?

[CyberAlchemist]

Business cards have become a little outdated since the arrival of the internet but l still like to use them when possible, do you guys promote your links through business cards? is it still effective?

Thoughts?

 

[RDO Servers]

I have a bunch, but rarely use them anymore

 

[Hawker]

I wouldn't say they were outdated as they are still useful for offline business. A little overlooked and underrated definitely but not outdated because they still have a use today and still required by a lot of big companies. You can tell someone about your website, email address or contact number, but when its put down on a business card they don't have to remember it as its on the card. They just have to remember where they put it!

When they want to use your business or contact you for something. Of course most people just Google it, know it or save it to their phone but when all those things fail, the small cardboard business card is always there. Provided they can remember where they put it!

They're really good little things for drumming up offline business really. When you're out and about, on business meetings etc and you meet new people or start talking about your business you can just hand them one of your business cards. Most entrepreneurs and business minded people have them, or at least, a bunch of them in their wallet/briefcase.

I've used them in the past to promote businesses. By leaving them in shop windows, on counter tops in shops that were related to my business (which was a mobile business so most mobile repair shops in my area). That might just involve asking them if that's okay to leave some there in a holder and if its related to their business most will say fine where as some might want something for it.

Obviously you gotta pay for advertising sometimes even if its just leaving business cards somewhere. I used to leave them everywhere, pubs, clubs, peoples cars, on the bus/train, everywhere. I'd say about 20% of them drummed me up some business but as said I used to leave them everywhere and in shop windows, counter tops etc.

So yes business cards can still be effective. Useful and handy too. But it's just one part of your offline/online advertising and branding.

I think you can get like 1000 from Vistaprint for about 5 bucks so pretty reasonable too.

 

[velvet]

Hi CyberAlchemest,
I've had some printed for my wife's offline business, and hand them out regularly enough.

I have not considered them for my online pursuits as yet, but it really is more determined on where you feel you can drum up your customers.

They are still a very handy item for all the reasons Hawker suggested.

cheers, Mal.

 

[EpicGlobalWeb]

I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that the majority of my online business comes from offline contact. I have gone through 200 business cards in the last 6 months.

I had an idea for them one time. Print them with a dollar bill image an throw a bunch of them off the roof of a tall building in new York. Practical for me since I lived there.

Imagine the attention you'd get from falling "dollars"

Maybe for a casino gaming site?

 

[Localnode]

I still use them.
There's also others who leave their business cards at shops in my area.

 

[gerald88]

Yes, I'm making website's for clients and go to business meetings, there I give business cards.

 

[jagdish pathare]

Hi CyberAlchemist

Business cards have become a little outdated since the arrival of the internet but l still like to use them when possible, do you guys promote your links through business cards? is it still effective?

Thoughts?

I usually collected business cards whenever i went for a meeting/interview with executives, sr. executives and managers of the company.

And in business world this approach of sharing business cards is still ongoing. However promoting links through business cards is not that useful according to my point of view.

But yes there may be some clicks through it. As most of the people prefer to search online for the things they need thus if you own a website, it must have good presence over internet.

 

[PTTed]

I still use business cards all the time, mostly in my offline business pursuits. For the online stuff, sometimes I still create them. I will use them as an email signature in my email client. I think it makes you look a lot more professional. I guess it depends on what you are trying to accomplish with your business though. I have some online business pursuits where there is absolutely no need to have a business card. And in those cases I don't bother.

 

[Nancy G]

Business cards are still important especially if you are talking or doing business for the first time in person. Whenever one participates in an exhibition or attending a business conference, it is part of good business practice to exchange business cards as your contact reference. This exchange is vital especially if we will like to continue our communcation link with the other party/company.

Similarly we do not need physical business cards when communicating online as the website serves as your contact point. When you email, you make sure that you have the proper contact details right down the sender's name or if not there is a proper portion where you include these information. This is e-version of your business card which gives your communication a professional feel.

 

[Hometutor]

Business cards have become a little outdated since the arrival of the internet but l still like to use them when possible, do you guys promote your links through business cards? is it still effective?

Thoughts?

IF you're not using offline advertising and business cards which is a very basic and often misused for information only, offline marketing method you are losing money. I don't care how much money you're making. You're losing money if you're not using every available tool.

Rick

Hi CyberAlchemist

However promoting links through business cards is not that useful according to my point of view.

But yes there may be some clicks through it. As most of the people prefer to search online for the things they need thus if you own a website, it must have good presence over internet.

Get a domain that is descriptive for your business card and redirect to your main web page. For example InHomeComputerHelpdotcom used to redirect to computerhelp808dotcom.

Much more descriptive for the service I offer

Rick

 

[Goyum]

Yes, I go to many events in many different countries and they are still the most common way to exchange contact information.

 

[kim16]

I use them a lot especially on occasions like product launching and other marketing campaigns.

 

[SIG]

I use them too. Just need to order a new batch.

 

[JB Fernandez]

Yes. Because it is provided by the company that I am working with. Actually, it is a good way of giving your contact details to someone that you need to keep in touch. Very formal and professional.

 

[benjj25]

I use them on meetings especially when meeting a high profile supplier or service provider. Anything that was given personally gives a distinctive spot on that person. These business cards are often place in a wallet or anything professional like business name card holder. With these, your business card are also accessible for the receiver and in any case they are needing to find contact, yours will be passed through and nonetheless will be helpful also nowadays.

 

[Dictator20]

Yes I am, my mother told me to have a business card so I can use another card when I am paying and receiving money. It is really useful for me because my automated machine card I don't use it to receive money, in short I just don't trust giving my automated machine card to others specially in online so I used my business card.

 

[trendjing]

When I was working few months ago, I was not using business card. I was thinking of having my own, but when I saw a bunch of business cards from different agents and clients scattered all around my table, and some of them gave one for my boss and one for me, which I just threw the other one. I say to myself, I will just have my number and email be known through my social media accounts or have the agents save it directly on their business phone. Keeping three to five business card is manageable, but having a big list folder of it is tiring to look at. That is why I just made a list on Microsoft Excel. In that way, it was easy for me to look for contact details.

 

[Judas2018]

Sure thing. Business cards are the best way to perform off-line marketing. The key is to place them in high traffic areas. As well places in your local area that might be in need of your services.

 

[szerjhex18]

Sometimes i am using my business card because i have an online business it's about a year now, and everytime i go to orientation for business purposes or gathering with some friend or just mutual friend gathering, i give business card because it's easy to explain my area of business the contact was there, email, the site the product that i am selling. So maybe business card is now outdated but it's still good in my business.