Simple Social Media

The business card is dead, long live the business card

When last did you order new business cards? 

Was it 100, 250 or 500, perhaps you went over 1000? 

Paper, card, plastic, film, metallic or wood?

Bet they cost a fair amount too?

Probably not enough to break the bank, but enough to make you look at them sitting there on the desk and wonder who'll you will be handing them out too!

In Japan, a typical business meeting begins with outstretched hands but unlike in the west where they are greeted by yours and a hearty handshake, they are holding a business card. Protocol dictates you swop cards, whilst you bow and introduce yourself. There's even a hierarchical structure that dictates who offers and who accepts first but I shan't go into that here. 
That's what google's for or even other blogs.


But what is a business card and why do we insist on giving them out?
Think back to the 80's, the time when our desks were full or random objects like a filofax, a rolodex, a contacts book and possibly even a PDA!

Those were the days when you'd pick up the phone, (a landline with a cable attached), dial a zero followed by the number of the person you were wishing to contact. 
Prior to this you'd have spent a good 10 to 15 minutes scratching through the assortment of random objects that are now strewn across your desk, trying to find their card so that you could track a number for them. 
The business card was gold as they usually had a direct number, IE you didn't first have to call a receptionist who would then attempt to convince you that the person your wished to talk to was extremely busy and as such they would be given a message to return your call, before eventually directing your call.

Yes millennials, there was a time when people didn't have mobile phones, email and or any of the multiple forms of messaging there are today.

If you wished to contact an individual, you had two choices. You sent them a letter or you gave them a call. If they were new clients or suppliers, you'd probably have sent them a letter a week prior to the call stating your intent.

Those were the days when you got to know associates by referrals or by word of mouth. Perhaps even at social events or at the local pub. The next morning you'd find a slightly clammy card or two in a pocket and you'd piece together an idea of the previous evenings events. 
You relied solely on the card and what you could remember about what the person who handed it out had told you. Not particularly reliable but we managed to muck-in and somehow we got through to today.

So it the business card, as we know it, dead?
In my opinion, YES.

This is the age of social media and as such we should be using it to our benefit. 
When you're asked for your contact details do you scratch about for a dog eared card or simply suggest that the person follow you on facebook or twitter? 
Social media not only allows a new contact the opportunity to connect with you, it exposes them your entire network. 
It instantly brings them in from being an outsider to a place where you can begin to win their trust. Remember the 4 steps to successful sales, Awareness - Like - Trust - Sales. 
By getting them to follow you, you'll have accelerated them through Awareness and you're straight into getting them to Like you and liking what you're offering.

People are strange creatures, they'll not only follow you but they'll also stalk all of your social media platforms. Even if they don't wish to do any business straight from the get go, the chances are that they won't stop following.

The business card is dead, long live the business card!