Business cards can be termed as the most important introduction for any businessman. It divulges information about the outfit as well as the individual. This includes information like his post, name, contact numbers of residence, office and e-mail ID. It is through business cards that people come in contact with each other for the first time, which is why its importance cannot be minimised. However, it would be immensely interesting to know the history of business cards. When did they come into existence? Which countries adapted them first and what information did they provide in those days?
It would be very amusing to know that the history of business cards stretches back as far as 15th century when it was used in China. Its use, however, was confined to aristocrats who normally used to give it to their servants to pass it to the concerned member of the family. Middle class also picked up this habit in the course of time.
England saw the arrival of business cards in the 17th century. Popular as trade cards, they were mostly used by merchants. The uniqueness of trade cards remained in the fact that they had maps printed on them so as to give the customers a guide to reach the shop. In some cases, the cards are known to have included the names of goods sold by the merchants as well.
Today, however, business cards have undergone complete change. They come in various designs and colour and are available in various price range, giving people enough variety to choose from. Today, their importance has gained mammoth proportion and no businessman takes it lightly. They after all, are very important for contacts, without which no business can survive.
You're about to go to a tradeshow and you realize that you don't have any business cards on you anymore. You had handed out the last one just the week before and you haven't had a chance to print business cards since. You don't know of anyplace in the area around the tradeshow where you can get them done, so what do you do? Are you supposed to go without any color business cards at all, or are you supposed to just pass up on the event altogether and wait until the next one.
To be honest, if it were me I would pass up on it altogether and wait until I had some more cards. The same is going to be true for when I get back a card from the printer and realize it isn't really what I was looking for, or if I just get some negative feedback on my card shortly before an event.
This seems like a rather drastic measure that could lose you some sales by not showing up at all, but consider what type of long term damage it might do as well.
When you're talking to someone at an event specifically designed to gain leads, do you just expect that they'll have a business card on them? Every time I talk to someone the conversation ends with each of us exchanging cards. If they don't have a card I know my opinion of them is going to be changed.
This can be just as harmful when you have a really bad card to hand to people. As soon as they look at your card their opinion of you is going to be altered and there isn't much you can do about it. Either way people are probably going to think less of you rather than more for having come anyways.
This kind of negative impression might very well have long lasting consequences for your business, and cost you a number of future sales down the line if you aren't careful. Is that really worth whatever little business you might still be able to generate?
Besides, for most industries these kinds of events happen rather often, so it won't be a huge deal to wait to go to one until after you've been able to print business cards, or improve your current card.
I would rather make no impression at all than potentially give someone a bad one. I consider a bad impression to be the same as burning a bridge, and I try to never burn a bridge if I can help it.
The decision is obviously going to be yours, and if you have enough other supporting marketing material you might be able to get by without a strong business card. Still, at least be aware of the risks, and factor them into your decision.
Both Alexa Alexa & Colleen Davis are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Alexa Alexa has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cars, Business Cards and Marketing. Alexa is a successful relationship manager in a leading Public Relations firm. He has written many blogs and articles on how to enhance effective communication in the corporate world. Currently he is focussing on. Alexa Alexa's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
Colleen Davis has sinced written about articles on various topics from Business Cards, Brochures and Sales and Negotiation. For more information, you can visit this page on . Colleen Davis's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.