Before you click Add to Cart on those paper business cards, do you really need them? Handing out business cards can feel like a shot in the dark. Will it get thrown away, will they even remember you, do they even want to contact you in the future?
With the monetary and environmental cost of paper business cards looming overhead, let’s take a look at why you might not want to click Place Order just yet.
Are business cards effective?
This is a tough one because not all business cards are created equally. Some business cards make it to the trash can a lot faster than others, but on average you’ll see a 2.5% increase in sales for every 2,000 paper business cards handed out. That means at an average of $0.27 per card, you’ll be spending $540 to gain that 2.5%.
To get the 2.5% increase (or more) you have to have the right business cards. Thankfully we know how to make a more effective business card, and we’ll tell you how in this article.
Why do business cards get thrown away?
Figuring out why your business cards keep getting tossed in the trash is easier than you might think. The majority of business cards are thrown away for two reasons:
They don’t need your information right away.
Over 63% of people throw business cards away because they don’t need the service right away. While that might seem like an unfixable problem, we found a solution. When you hand someone a paper business card, they likely aren’t going to add it to their Rolodex, so they end up getting lost or thrown away. But when you share a digital business card they can immediately save your information to their phone. Now they don’t need to worry about holding onto your card until they need your services.
It’s black and white.
While black and white business cards might be beautiful, they don’t result in leads. A black and white business card is 10X more likely to be thrown away than a card with some color on it. So when you design your next business card, be sure to include some interest with color.
Why is my business card not resulting in leads?
While your business card being thrown away is likely the number one reason you aren’t seeing increased leads from business cards, there are a few other ways your business cards could be flopping.
There’s a typo.
We’ve all made a spelling error or two, ensuring there are no typos on your business card is essential. As many as 43% of people choose not to do business with a company that has a typo on their business card. If you weren’t lucky enough to catch your mistake before your cards got delivered, try digital business cards. Any errors can be fixed at a moment's notice, all without the cost of ordering a new set of business cards.
You went cheap.
Unfortunately, a cheap-looking business card isn’t worth the money saved. 73% of people will judge your company based on the quality of your business card, and 39% will choose not to do business with your company if your business cards look cheap. A high-quality business card can get pricey so we have a trick to help you impress customers with your business cards without breaking the bank.
If you’re looking to upgrade your business cards, consider going digital. We recommend HiHello’s digital business cards. You can make a high-quality digital card and share it as many times as you want all for free. To access premium features you can upgrade to HiHello Professional all for less than the cost of a standard stack of high-quality business cards.
Is it worth getting business cards?
You might be wondering if business cards are worth the hassle when the odds seem stacked against you. We are here to tell you that business cards are alive and well, and definitely worth it (when you do it right). And lucky for you, we know how to do it right.
How to make a more effective business card
It might seem like the odds are stacked against you when designing an effective business card, but it’s easier (and cheaper) than you think.
1. Pick the right format.
Based on user data, HiHello found that after saving a digital business card 35% of people will follow up with their contact information. That’s 12X more than paper business cards. For a more effective business card go digital with HiHello.
2. Include the right information.
How your business card looks is only half of the equation. Including the right information on your business card could be the key to a more effective business card. Make sure you include the must-have pieces of information on your business card.
3. Share everywhere.
With traditional business cards, you are limited to in-person interactions which could be leading to missed opportunities. When you go digital with HiHello you can share your business card with anyone, anywhere. Use email signatures and virtual backgrounds to share your contact information even when you aren’t face-to-face.
Main photo by Kate Trysh on Unsplash