Business Cards - Do You Need Them?
February 5, 2007
As a work-from-home entrepreneur, I go back and forth on the issue of business cards. Do I need them, can I do without them… It’s a debate that goes on quite often in my head when I am doing up my marketing and promotion strategy for the new year. I always seem to settle on the fact that they are not overly required. However, there are a few times during the year that I find myself at a networking event and I find myself collecting cards and making up an excuse such as, “They are being re-designed as we speak.” So, I ask you - are they required in a position like mine?
I have asked this of my peers from time to time and the answer I get most often is, “If you don’t have them, collecting cards is not a bad idea - it provides you with a reason to follow up with the people you meet at these events.” This is often very true.
In October of last year, I found myself at an eWomen Networking event in Vancouver, BC. The event was one in which I hadn’t planned on attending as it wasn’t my main reason for visiting Vancouver but as fate would have it - my other plans aligned themselves in such a way that I could attend. I had a great time at the event but I felt a little unprepared.
There was a time in the event where we had to get into groups and give a brief discussion about what we did, how we could help the other people in the group and then we were to pass out business cards to people who thought they needed our services. Well, I did my two minute talk and then I had someone ask for a card. I replied, “Well, they are being redesigned so I don’t have any but may I have your card instead?” They gave me their card and I followed up when I got home.
That person is now a client.
So, in the great business card debate, where do you stand? As an entrepreneur do you have them and if so, how do you find they “work” for you? If you don’t have them, do you think it’s hurting or helping your business? I’d love to know your thoughts.
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