• No products in the cart.
  • No products in the cart.
Back To Top
Image Alt

Are Business Cards Obsolete

Are Business Cards Obsolete

I don’t really care, but loyal reader Eric May does, and he asked me to post this question to see what kind or replies he’d receive. So have at it!

Written by

Alan Weiss is a consultant, speaker, and author of over 60 books. His consulting firm, Summit Consulting Group, Inc., has attracted clients from over 500 leading organizations around the world.

Comments: 10

  • Eric May

    November 10, 2011

    Thanks for that, Alan. I just wanted to ask your readers if their business cards are still a useful (albiet modest) “leave-behind” or are they superfluous in the smartphone/iPad era? Thanks for your comments. Eric

  • Steve Reznikoff

    November 10, 2011

    I prefer an electronic business card. It’s easier to get into my Microsoft CRM contact management system. I like the iPhone bump app or attaching a vcard to an email.

    Second choice is paper.

  • michael cardus

    November 10, 2011

    Business cards are useful for sharing how people can get a hold of you.
    If you generate interest in your work, brand, self people with your card can find your website, call you and you can do the same.
    I don’t think they are obsolete.
    YET, I still find people in networking events that lead with their card and are insulted when I do not share mine. I usually don’t share my card because I know nothing about them, their business etc.. and sharing my card is a waste of both of our time.

  • Paul Evans

    November 10, 2011

    Even though I do not use business cards, I am amazed at the number of people who ask for one. Maybe it’s conditioning. Or maybe there are still those who actually follow-up because of a card. However, rarely have these people been buyers. 🙂

  • Alan Weiss

    November 10, 2011

    I personally loathe people who keep shoving cards at me, which I politely put in a pocket until I can throw them out, out of sight. If I don’t know you or your work and have expressed no interest in it, why on earth would I keep your card? And those who say, “Please refer me to people who need this,” are just loopy. How do I know you’re not an axe murderer?

    • Ian Brodie

      November 12, 2011

      I wonder if I got a card printed up with a job title of Axe Murderer whether anyone would notice?

  • Alan Weiss

    November 10, 2011

    Many people ask for a card to feign interest and get rid of you.

  • Jack Lovell

    November 11, 2011

    Do so when valid (i.e. give when asked and ask when interested in further contact).

    Bump is not ideal – Checking if the other person has it and then getting out phones and bumping, while OK in some instances, is a distraction in most cases.

    I don’t want to rely on my memory to remember an email address. I also don’t want to take time right then to write or type it or a phone number.

    So yes, useful with basic info – name, email and phone (no website assuming the domain in your email address is your website). Follow up emails with vCards each way is the polite thing to do – I certainly don’t want to actually type in all the details or even take the time to use a biz card reader.

  • Dave Gardner

    November 11, 2011

    Business cards are not obsolete. While I don’t push them at people, when there’s a mutual interest in having each other’s contact information, I provide my business card and accept one in return.

Post a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.