7 Reasons Why Business Cards Are Becoming Extinct
During a recent lunch meeting, a friend gave me one of his business cards to jot down some notes. While looking at his business card, I noticed how archaic the traditional business card is, and realized that the digital revolution is a huge threat to the paper business card industry.
There are some cool novel ideas like Entrecard, but I want to specifically give 7 reasons why I think paper business cards are becoming extinct.
7 Reasons Why Business Cards Are Becoming Extinct
- Business cards are easily misplaced.
- Most business cards lack adequate information about the provider/business.
- Many people run out of business cards in the time of need.
- You must constantly update your business cards whenever you change location, e-mail, etc. It also leaves previous receivers with outdated information.
- Business cards are inaccessible to your clients when they are away from home or the office.
- It’s challenging to give out copies of someone else’s business card.
- People are already adopting more effective ways of sharing their business information. For example, Linkedin is “digital business cards on steroids.”
That’s just a few reasons why I believe paper business cards are becoming a thing of the past.
What Do You Think the 21st Century Has in Store for Sharing Your Business Information?
[…] Original post by Tarik […]
Pingback by 7 Reasons Why Business Cards Are Becoming Extinct · Business Card Information and Deals — February 23, 2008 @ 2:41 am
Although I still have business cards, I don’t use them. We now live in a Google world. So I just tell people to Google Me - John Raines. This works great because I come up at the top of page 1 on the Google and Yahoo search. People see my bio and online business card(s). It costs me less than $10 mo. So yes, I think the online business card will replace the paper business cards of the past. - John Raines
Comment by john raines — February 23, 2008 @ 5:09 pm
[…] Original post by Tarik […]
Pingback by Business Cards Articles » Blog Archive » 7 Reasons Why Business Cards Are Becoming Extinct — February 23, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
I believe card stock business cards will be around for a while. While high tech is exciting, traditional methods seem to hang on. We were predicted to be in a paperless office before the turn of the 21st century. That didn’t happen either.
Comment by Jack Gurner — February 24, 2008 @ 12:48 am
Although I am a great supporter of business cards, i have found this article very enlighting. The points which were given are thinking provokers. Yet, I can’t recall any other mean to displace it. Magnets, flayers, postcards, envelopes with logo, and so on - will always do like the dream of paperless office which never came true.
Comment by joe alon — February 24, 2008 @ 1:46 pm
Hi Jack,
You’re right. As of now, the paperless office is nearly impossible because most employees are confined to their cubicles. However, I think we are moving towards a more remote work setting, where employees/freelancers will complete work tasks from the courtesy of their homes. This will lead to less paper in the long run.
Great points though, and that’s an interesting site you have. I stumbled it
Comment by Tarik — February 24, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
I have also found when traveling to foreign countries, such as China, that is very important to have business cards in the native language. Maybe even dual language business cards.
Comment by Chinese Business Cards — March 3, 2008 @ 11:03 am
@ John,
Great point on the Google mention. We probably won’t ever meet anyone in person (potential employer, blind date, etc) without getting Googled first. I’ve also seen firms arise that promise to rank your name #1, too.
Comment by Tarik — March 3, 2008 @ 9:27 pm
@ Joe
The dream is still alive! I get so frustrated with all the paper I receive through the mail. There are services that will scan your mail via e-mail, but there’s got to be a better way to manage everyone’s paper clutter.
Is this another web 2.0 Opportunity?
Comment by Tarik — March 3, 2008 @ 9:29 pm
@ Chinese business cards
Interesting idea. In the future, it will become easier to translate information via business cards, internet, etc as the world becomes even smaller.
Also, Cool site!
Comment by Tarik — March 3, 2008 @ 9:30 pm
Some interesting points, but it also serves other purposes besides providing the other person your contact info. From personal experience, it’s a good ice breaker when you’re at a meet up (if you have a unique business card.)
Maya Angelou had a pretty good quote, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Exchanging business cards allows you to make a good impression without being intrusive. I think it’s a great way to build your network.
Comment by DNA — March 5, 2008 @ 5:29 am
@ DNA
Good point. business cards provide an excellent way to “break the ice,” especially during conventions or summits when everyone is a relative stranger. However, I always lose business cards, but I do remember their first impressions
Comment by Tarik — March 5, 2008 @ 10:50 am