With digital technology behind so many things in our lives today, you might be forgiven for thinking that a ‘traditional’ business card has had its day, particularly if you are just starting out in business.

We send emails now over ‘snail mail’ and can send documents anywhere in the world at the click of a button, so surely there’s no need for a little card to put in a pocket or wallet?

On the contrary. Here are some very good reasons why you should get some professional cards made and then always carry a stock of them with you.

1. First Impressions Count

A business card might be the first time someone comes into contact with your brand, so make sure it’s a good impression. Look up professional business card printing in Essex, or wherever is local to you, and use quality cards.

It’s worth investing in your cards because anyone could be a potential customer, and you want to be memorable for the right reasons – not for being someone who saved a few quid and got cheap cards. It’s about more than just a mechanism for passing on your phone number.

2. A Personal Touch

Think about when you might have given someone a business card in the past – it’s all about networking. And that is still the same. Even in a digital world and with networking sites like LinkedIn, making connections is far more effective in person.

A genuine conversation, brought to a close by an exchange of contact information, is still the best way to be remembered, and using a professional business card is better than sending an email from your smartphone as you stand in front of someone.

Eye contact is the best way to build a relationship, so avoid ‘screen time’ when someone is talking to you.

3. No Better Direct Marketing Tool

When you set off for a trade show or business conference, you prepare in advance and make sure you have enough product or business collateral with you. The beauty of a business card is that it can help you out when you’re not expecting to meet a lead or make a new contact, perhaps at an airport or even at the pub! Thanks to business card printing in Essex and nationwide, you can be ready to capitalise on any opportunity.

4. Creativity Will Continue to Reward

A professional business card is a must-have, but making it creative and stand-out amongst the others will leave a lasting impact that people might even pass on to their own contacts, making it work harder for you. There are die-cut options beyond the standard white rectangle, and even rounding a single corner will look different. Use your business card to show off your brand, or your personality if your business is you. There is nothing to say you can’t use imagination – and colour or images – to make your business cards unique.

Invest in your business – print some quality cards.

If you run a business, then your business card says who you are and what you do. If you are meeting with a potential client or customer and you give them your card, this could help them decide whether they want to do business with you as usually, it’s the first point of contact. So, getting it right is important. Here we look at the five key features that all business cards should include.

Space

It can be tempting to fill the small amount of space on your business card with every single piece of information that you can think of. However, the amount of space left blank is almost as important as the included information. Using too much information can make the card cluttered and difficult to read. It can also look unprofessional, so think carefully about what is essential.

Essential Information

Your business card must include some basic information about what your business is or a short summary of what you do. For example, if you do business card printing in Essex, then make sure you say this on the card. Including your job title can also be useful for potential clients or customers, and you are more likely to be remembered than someone whose card only includes their name.

Your Name

Although it seems obvious, not everyone includes their name on their business card. This can make it difficult if people want to try to get hold of you following a meeting, as filing a card that doesn’t include a name is virtually impossible.

Contact Details

Part of a business card’s value is that it provides all of your contact details so people can immediately see the various ways they can get hold of you, although these needn’t be exhaustive. At the very least, your card should include a phone number and email as well as any social media routes such as Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Good Quality

It is pointless getting the content of a business card exactly right if the quality of the card isn’t really up to much. Your card will help people to decide if they want to work with you, and if the quality isn’t great then they may make their mind up before you even have the meeting. Recommendations are a great way to find good printing services, so if you are looking for business card printing in Essex, for example, then recommendations are a great way to test the quality of the product you will be getting.

If your business card doesn’t include all of these, then maybe it is time for a re-design. Your card will help you create new opportunities and is your ‘shop window’ for new customers and clients at a first face-to-face meeting. This is why making sure it includes all of the key features is important. Hopefully, this has given you some ideas for ways that your business card could be improved and help you to win more business. It’s something that could ultimately add to your success.