Are business cards relevant?
If you had asked the question a little over a year ago, I don’t think I would’ve had the same answer that I do now. I won’t go into the nitty gritty of why that is. Chances are, you already know why. Hope was dim. There were numerous other more important things to worry about than business cards and their relevancy.
But, now is a new age. The Zoom and Teams webinar fatigue is real. We’re ready to attend in-person networking events. And, since that’s the case, let’s discuss some important facts and best practices about business cards before determining whether they’re relevant.
What are business cards?
First, it only makes sense to define what they are.
A small card identifying a person in connection with his or her business, given to a client, potential customer, etc.
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The best business cards contain the following information:
- Logo
- Your name
- Your title
- Company name
- Address
- Phone + fax numbers
- Your email address
Other items can also be included, but make sure the design isn’t too crammed. Some business cards have the company website, social media handles, and even scannable QR codes as well as the above information.
What business cards stand out?
Each business card stands out in its own way.
The main focal point of a business card should be the company logo and its brand identity. It should not be your name, your title, or contact information. You’re simply a representative of the organization.
Just like with signage, the brand should be first priority on a business card. You don’t typically see a person’s name be more prominent than the organization’s name (unless it’s part of the company name, of course) in the signage industry. Therefore, its best to keep your personal information secondary.
In my opinion, the business cards that stand out the most are those that display the logo, brand colors and typefaces while still leaving enough white space. Less is more!
Take this business card we created for The Grow Room, for example:
Their logo and brand colors are prominent. The most important information is on the card, and the unnecessary “fluff” is left out. There’s enough “white” space (yes, it’s technically black) and the logo takes up the entire back side.
What are they made of?
Several types of paper products can be used to create business cards. However, the most common is card stock. Its thickness and durability provide unmatched professionalism.
In fact, our newly designed Classic Sign Services business cards are made of card stock and printed in-house (more on this later):
As you can see, the logo, brand colors, and typeface are all relevant to the company. The employee’s name is listed, as well as their job title, contact information, and website. Plus, the back is dedicated to the logo and brand.
How are the cards printed?
At Classic Sign Services, we have in-house capabilities for designing and printing a variety of products.
Our dedicated graphic designers pay close attention to what makes your brand, yours. And, our production crew ensures that the final product is satisfactory.
The cards are printed differently through various processes depending on where you go. However, I can say that laser printers are the best option to print hundreds of business cards per minute.
(Check out our blog article on this topic to learn more.)
What’s the best size?
There’s no straightforward answer to this question. I’ve personally seen cards that are the size of a half dollar, and I’ve also seen cards that are larger than “normal.”
However, what seems to be the average size is 2″ x 3″.
Understand why it’s important not to overcrowd the space? That isn’t a lot to work with!
So…are they relevant?
Now that you know some important facts and best practices, let’s go over a possible situation.
Let’s say you’re at a graduation party for your niece. As you’re eyeing the fresh lemonade and appetizers in the backyard, another guest is doing the same right beside you.
You start with some small talk, like most conversations with strangers do: the weather, sports, where you went to high school (we’re in St. Louis!), and how you know the host/hostess are just a few subjects.
As you begin discussing more in-depth topics, the question of what you do for a living arises. In this entirely hypothetical situation, you are a sales rep for a local home improvement company.
When you describe your daily routine, the stranger’s eyes light up. “I’ve been searching for a home improvement company to help me redo my kitchen! Is that something your company does?”
Of course, you say yes, and (wait for it) hand them a business card. “Give me a call,” you say. “We’d be happy to help you out!” The stranger takes your card and sticks it in their pocket.
Later on, when they are doing laundry, they take the card out and remember to contact you. They become a new customer, and when their project is completed, they refer you to others.
Long story short, yes, business cards are still relevant. You just never know when and how you’ll spread the word about your company and its capabilities. That’s just not something I foresee going away. Giving potential clients a physical representation of your brand provides a reminder that simply mentioning your website cannot do.
We asked, you answered
We sent out a survey to see whether you, our customers and friends, deemed business cards as relevant. Before we unpack, here’s a pie chart highlighting the data:
As you can see, the majority of those surveyed (92.9%) are in agreement: business cards are still relevant. However, the other side of the argument can’t be ignored. The minority (7.1%) believe they are no longer important.
A few participants elaborated on their answer:
Having an actual card is a great visual and tells the character of the business based on the “style” of the card.
When meeting vendors/manufacturers/sales forces/etc., a business card provides a record of contact and a brief description of the service offered.
To be honest, I throw them all away.
Business cards add a personal touch to doing business with someone that I respect.
The survey was distributed via email and social channels (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) on Monday, June 14, 2021, and closed on Thursday, June 17, 2021. It contained two questions:
- Are business cards still relevant? (Yes or No)
- Why did you choose your answer?
Next steps
In sum, business cards containing the pertinent information, highlighting the company’s brand, and leaving enough white space will stand out. The process of laser printing on cardstock or a similar material ensures quality.
And, although still certainly up for discussion, business cards are relevant in today’s modern times.
Interested in high-quality, professional business cards? Classic Sign Services is your printing destination. Plus, once we have your logo, there’s no end to what else we can provide for you. Now, go spread the word about your company!
If this article about business cards and their relevancy helped you in your decision making, we’d love to know! Follow us on social media to begin the conversation.
This blog post was originally posted on June 11, 2021 and was updated for comprehensiveness on June 17, 2021.