Business Cards... still a thing?

[StevieBee]

Well, yes of course they are but it occurred to me recently that I've not had any printed or used them for years. It's not like I'm not networked or (pre-covid) in situations where in the past they were once used. I can't recall the last time someone gave me a card either - more a case of tapping in their details into the phone and vice-versa.

And compliment slips - don't think I've had need for one of these for over 10 years. And come to think of it, letterheaded paper - just a template in Word!

I used to take great pride in having nice stationery (see American Psycho for more information )..... laying out an invoice properly.

Is business stationery a dying thing?

[mcflurry]

The last couple of times I have scanned a QR code, and hit save, as not to have to type out details

[akirk]

We still use them sporadically - there are times when it is just convenient, and I usually have a stack in the car...

however, after 30+ years of doing design work / running a website and design company I would say that the last 3+ years we have had no requests for business stationery - we still do lots of work with startup businesses and are still frequently building brand (logo / colours / font) - but no printed stationery / no letterheaded paper / no business cards / no compliments slips - where once all three would have been standard...

having said that, we are just about to produce a simple brochure for a new business...

[Simpo Two]

StevieBee said:

more a case of tapping in their details into the phone and vice-versa.

What if you lose your phone?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Simpo Two said:

StevieBee said:

more a case of tapping in their details into the phone and vice-versa.

What if you lose your phone?

Or lose the business card?

[kiethton]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Simpo Two said:

StevieBee said:

more a case of tapping in their details into the phone and vice-versa.

What if you lose your phone?

Or lose the business card?

Phones back up onto the cloud so you'd just download your profile from the day before loss onto any replacement (inc. all numbers etc)

[StevieBee]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Simpo Two said:

StevieBee said:

more a case of tapping in their details into the phone and vice-versa.

What if you lose your phone?

Or lose the business card?

I've lost more cards than I have phones over the years. When I say 'lost' I mean lost to the shoe box of cards collected since 1983!!

[Hfs1889]

I recently had a few years in the Middle East, business cards and the presentation of them is a big thing still in the region. If you didn’t have one you weren’t worth talking to. Took me some getting my head around at first. The temptation is just to put them in your pocket and read them later if needed but the procession of thanking someone and reading the card was hilarious.

Back in the UK for a year or so and as a company director I’ve not even bothered having any printed. My signature is on my email and if the meeting is worthwhile you generally have some email follow up so they’re an ancient relic in my view.

[Louis Balfour]

StevieBee said:

Well, yes of course they are but it occurred to me recently that I've not had any printed or used them for years. It's not like I'm not networked or (pre-covid) in situations where in the past they were once used. I can't recall the last time someone gave me a card either - more a case of tapping in their details into the phone and vice-versa.

And compliment slips - don't think I've had need for one of these for over 10 years. And come to think of it, letterheaded paper - just a template in Word!

I used to take great pride in having nice stationery (see American Psycho for more information )..... laying out an invoice properly.

Is business stationery a dying thing?

Earlier this week I received a hand-written letter from the CEO of a big financial institution, his business card attached with a paperclip.

That one piece of correspondence had more impact than the sum of all other letters I've received in the past year.

[CustardOnChips]

Simpo Two said:

StevieBee said:

more a case of tapping in their details into the phone and vice-versa.

What if you lose your phone?

Get a new phone. Log into account and hey presto. All my contacts are back.

Welcome to 2021.

[Simpo Two]

CustardOnChips said:

Get a new phone. Log into account and hey presto. All my contacts are back.

I just open a drawer. No need for a phone, or another phone, or a cloud, or an account or 'logging in'.

[Mr Whippy]

I still see value in them if you're at a big show and going around lots of people, it's far easier than messing with the phone and I believe there is a stronger mental connection with the person you spoke to, the relationship built, and their brand recognition, than there is with just a digital QR codey smart phone entry.

I've got cards from people from 10 years ago and I still remember the initial conversations I had with them, and what their card looks like. I've got people in my phone with details about them and no idea who they actually are

[CustardOnChips]

Simpo Two said:

CustardOnChips said:

Get a new phone. Log into account and hey presto. All my contacts are back.

I just open a drawer. No need for a phone, or another phone, or a cloud, or an account or 'logging in'.

Sounds great if you are sat next to your drawer. And you have loads of time to sort through bits of card to find the one you need.

[bristolracer]

As a tradesman I use them all the time.

I give a lot of domestic customers 3 or 4 of them and say keep one and pass the others on.
It works, I often arrive at a new customer to find my business card on the table.

[AJB88]

Simpo Two said:

I just open a drawer. No need for a phone, or another phone, or a cloud, or an account or 'logging in'.

But if you have lost said card... it wont be in the drawer.

I've had two people give me business cards recently, this was after they both turned up at my place for an appointment one was a gas engineer the other a house removals man.

both cards went in the bin.. I've got their details already from their website.

Edited by AJB88 on Saturday 6th March 11:13

[ATG]

Haven't bothered with business cards for at least ten years. I can't remember the last time I used the office printer. Similarly, no idea when I last wrote a cheque.

[Simpo Two]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Lovely! Most stuff worked a lot better in the 1980s! And the 1990s and 2000s. It means there's no need for a phone, or another phone, or a cloud, or an account or 'logging in'.

I don't need cards much now, but I had two card files, one for suppliers and one for clients. Quick, easy, no batteries to recharge, didn't need electricity, didn't end up in landfill, didn't use the planet's resources, never failed. As Mr Whippy says, if you don't have a business card, you don't really exist.

[PH User]

Business cards are a bit old fashioned now, they are also a pain in the arse.

[sunbeam alpine]

PH User said:

Business cards are a bit old fashioned now, they are also a pain in the arse...

You may be using them in the wrong way...

[PH User]

sunbeam alpine said:

PH User said:

Business cards are a bit old fashioned now, they are also a pain in the arse...

You may be using them in the wrong way...

Well you have to keep the bloody things somewhere