Does a business card design really matter?

Do business cards really matter?

When was the last time you listened to a CD, not an MP3?

Did you make a phone call on a payphone today?

As technology plows ahead making old formats obsolete every day, it can be hard to know what we should keep and what needs to be tossed aside. What about the business card?

Just how old are these things?

Business cards evolved from the 17th Century Visiting Card. These cards were exquisitely designed and featured engravings, ornaments, and coats of arms.

The cards initially were for introducing visiting aristocracy and royalty, but evolved into the cards we have today, by the late 1800’s.

Surely, something that old must be obsolete by now? Some people think so.

Maybe you think that the business card is an unnecessary expense. Or perhaps you think they are only sort of important and you order a few cheap ones with a generic business card design.

We believe business cards, and business card design, really does matter. Let us tell you why.

It’s about problem solving

We use products to solve problems. When something comes along that solves the problem better, the original product is abandoned. That’s why we no longer use eight-track players or the gramophone.

The business card, though, solves problems people face every day. Namely: how do you give someone your information without it?

“Can I have your card?”

If someone were to ask you “Can I have your business card?” what would you say?

Would you offer it to them gladly, or would you be forced to say, “Sorry, I don’t have one. Can I write my e-mail on the back of yours?”

In a nutshell, that is why a business card still matters: it’s a networking essential.

Just try imagining any networking situation without a business card. After making a connection with someone, you want to give them some way to contact you. Do you want to loom over their shoulder as they add a new contact to their phone?

Of course not, you’ll want to hand them your card.

Just how serious about your business are you?

Hopefully, you’ll agree that a business card fulfills a vital role in your promotion and networking. But is any card better than no card?

Sometimes, what you don’t say is louder than what you do say. If your employee came to work wearing dirty pajamas, that would say a lot.

Let’s imagine another networking scenario. You meet someone who is an expert investor, and you’re looking to invest! This person says all the right things, he’s confident and seems like he’s got the best plan. You ask for his card.

He hands you a flimsy piece of paper that could hardly be considered a card. It has perforation marks around it from when he printed it at home.

And the business card design? Well, you recognize the font from a bake sale flyer from your daughter’s pre-school.

Do you feel as confident investing with this person? If the time spent on their business card design is any indication of how much time they’ll spend on you – are you excited to work with them?

Business card design you can be proud of

Your business card is the first piece of branding people will see. It’s important to lead with a good foot. Having amateur, underwhelming business card design is like going to a job interview with food stuck in your teeth.

Do you want your business card to be something you need to overcome or do you want it to be another thing that demonstrates your proficiency?

Conclusion

We know that your company’s voice is important and expressing that voice is even more so. If you’re just launching a business, we offer complete brand conceptualization services to start you off right. Or maybe you’ve been around for a while and realize it’s time to crank it up a notch. 

We’re here to meet you where you are, and to provide branding and re-branding solutions to solve any problem you’ll face. That’s exactly why we’re here. Contact us today to get started!