I don't want to count the hours I've spent designing my business cards. Here's the worst part - people don't seem to care. They don't seem to notice the typeface or the layout or the logo or any of the other elements I obsessed over. When I meet people for the first time they don't ask for my card. When I offer them my card, they give it a cursory glance and then put it away somewhere. I have the strong suspicion they are not keeping my beautiful business card.
The question is, "Are business cards obsolete?" I've begun to think that they are becoming irrelevant, replaced by the e-mail address or the v-card that often accompanies it. People seem more interested in websites or e-mail addresses and less in the traditional paper cards that we distribute.
Bob Bly has posted on this phenomenon recently. He suggests that you shouldn't bother to carry or distribute cards. Just ask the other person for contact information and then send him something relevant that might actually stimulate sales or further contact.
I'm not sure that I'm ready for that. Maybe an electronic business card would be an alternative. I do think having your vital contact information is still valuable, especially when you are trying to develop prospects for your business. The key for me is following up with an e-mail message that can link to other electronic resources such as a website, e-portfolio or photo site.
I'm not ready to declare the demise of the business card but I see its role changing in the digital marketplace.
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