Business cards are cards bearing business information about a company or individual. They are shared during formal introductions as a convenience and a memory aid.

WHAT SHOULD BE ON A BUSINESS CARD
A business card typically includes
a. The giver's name,
b. Company or business affiliation (usually with a logo)
c. Contact information such as addresses, telephone number(s), fax number, e-mail addresses and website.
d. Social media addresses such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

WHO NEEDS A BUSINESS CARD?
Everybody.

IMPORTANCE OF A BUSINESS CARD

Are you guilty of being caught empty-handed when someone requested your card? Have you recently asked for someone else’s card, only to be told they were out?

Although typing in someone’s phone number and email is common enough, the chances of actually initiating follow-up contact without a printed card reminder are greatly reduced. When you put someone’s card into your purse, wallet, or pocket, you will at some point have to remove it. That recollection (and the avoidance of having to ask yourself, “What was his/her name?”) has inherent value. In a world where we may be in contact with dozens of varied people throughout a day, a ‘paper trail’ helps you to remain memorable.

The reasons to keep a printed business card on your person at all times are numerous:

1) Business Cards Portray Your Personal Brand

The style of your card’s design immediately reinforces the impression you make upon personally meeting someone.

2) Cards Are Adaptable

Depending on your line of work and the purpose of your card, it’s possible to use the back to market yourself/business. Similarly, QR codes can easily be printed on a card, bringing paper into the digital age. By scanning the code with a phone, your website or social media campaign can be instantly accessed through the physical card. Scores of QR code generators exist on the web and are simple to utilize.

3) Timelessness Matters

Even if one generation begins to move away from a means of communication, there is still value in catering to those who prefer traditional means. Business cards are still valuable (even when exchanged between techie 20-somethings), but they’re certainly a necessity when interacting with older potential clients and employers. In some situations, not carrying a card and relying solely on digital contact exchanges could be viewed as unprofessional and a sign of unpreparedness.

There are fringe benefits to business cards as well. In busy work/social environments, it can be difficult to remember every person’s name as you mingle and converse. Exchanging cards lets you steal a subtle glance for a reminder, allowing for a warm farewell, by name, when it’s time to part ways.

Finally, the same reasons for you to carry a card apply to your own decisions about the people you choose to work with. Do you really want to hire an accountant whose card looks sloppy and disorganized?

Think of your business card as an extension of your own professional attitude. Use it to convey your experience and capabilities, and hand them out with pride.

Do you have your business card on you right now?

Final Tip: Try not to print your Card with glossy paper because the person you exchanged the card with might like to inscribe a note for remembrance

Credit: https://princewillblog./2015/08/12/importance-of-business-card/

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How relevant are business cards in the modern day, one may want to ask. Isn't Business Card the very thing we all relied on before the advent of social media? What now, if the world reverts to the old, using the best of what we have learnt with social media? Check this interesting read.

https://litcaf.com/business-card-design/