Welcome Back, Paper!

In the days of cell phones, PDA’s, and email, it would seem old fashioned business cards would be a thing of the past. Who wants to carry around a pile of paper cards to a conference, when they can simply use a hand held device to exchange contact information? Believe it or not, the tried and true paper business card is still very much in style: it is still a great way to trade short, meaningful business communication information without burdening your new contact with a large brochure.

Business cards still convey the name of your business, its purpose, your name, title, and contact information, plus a branding image/logo. It's easy to get them made at 123Print After meet and greets have passed, creatively designed cards can go a long way to re-establish communication. Business cards with logos, catchy slogans, or tastefully designed artwork will make an indelible mark with people, reminding them of your conversation and why they should do business with you. Despite all the technological progress of the information age, making an immediate exchange of information and a business brand logo is still not possible, unless email is traded on the spot. In reality, this doesn’t really happen, because people are short on time. A handshake, business card, and a pleasant “Thank You” still go a long way; especially in industries that are still catching up to the fast paces world of cellular phones and PDAs.

About.com offers a great article about “How to Properly Use Business Cards”. Beyond trading cards, About.com’s advice is to follow-up any exchange with a phone call or hand written note, using good business letter writing techniques. These efforts will show new business contacts that you’re going the extra mile to maintain a relationship. Additionally, About.com suggests organizing and sorting all business cards into some sort of easily accessible file. Although this might sound like the Rolodex all over again, in reality a simple personal organizer or business card book can be extremely effective. Highly organized people might even take the time to record all the information contained on a business card in electronic form, using a spreadsheet, word processing document, or e-mail contact saver.

Most importantly, always remember to have a business card handy anytime you’re at a social function, even if the purpose of the occasion isn’t business related. Casual contacts, unexpected introductions, and venue organizers can all become valuable business assets for the future if you make sure to nurture the relationship properly. An eye catching business card, magnet, or greeting card can go a long way to initiate a new relationship.

Advertising flyers, door signs, business letterhead, and custom styled folders, like the business card, still have a place in the modern e-business world. Whether it’s a Thank-You note, media kit, door placard, memo, or official business letter, there’s still plenty of room for “paper powered” business communication solutions.