Business cards have always been a powerful tool to increase the reach of any business. No matter what products and services you offer, you can connect with a lot more people if you know how to market your brand using business cards.
Nearly 27 million business cards are printed every day. However, out of all the cards that are printed and distributed, nearly 88% of them are thrown away or forgotten.
This is why it’s important to understand the significance of digital business cards. Digital cards can not only reduce your cost of printing but also make a much more positive impact on the recipient.
In this article, you’ll get to know how digital business cards can boost your ROI and what you can do with them. So come on, let’s get started!
1. Why are paper-based cards becoming obsolete?
Before we start discussing the advantages of using digital business cards, let’s first see why paper cards are now being discarded.
Now that the world is becoming more and more technologically aware, people are no longer placing importance on conventional business cards.
They want cards that look and feel good. If you’re still in the habit of printing conventional cards, here are some of the disadvantages that you might face:
a. People throw them away
When you’re giving out your cards to a potential client, you might be in a hurry to convert them into real customers, but they aren’t in any hurry to actually purchase from you.
As a result, they often throw the card away or simply forget about it for months. Customers know that even if they throw away paper business cards, they can simply look up online and find the services they’re looking for.
b. They can become dirty
Another major disadvantage of conventional business cards is that they can easily get damaged due to the forces of nature.
Imagine a situation where you carry a stack of newly-printed business cards, but most become soggy or dirty due to rain.
Not only will you be unable to distribute them, but you’ll also have to reprint the cards and throw away the damaged ones. Ultimately, your costs will increase drastically.
c. They are susceptible to typo errors
Even the smallest typo on a paper business card can look bad for your company. A vast majority of people prefer not to do business with a brand that has even a single typing error on their business cards.
If you accidentally printed an entire stack of cards containing that mistake, you must reprint them.
And the worst part is that you won’t even be able to use the previous stack, except for recycling the paper.
d. You have to keep reprinting them
Since paper-based business cards are printed using paper and ink, any changes in your company will require a separate stack of business cards to be printed.
For example, if you have changed your office location or phone number, you’ll have to incorporate those changes on the business cards.
This means you must print an entirely new stack of cards containing the updated information!
e. The paper may not be good
This is a major problem that many small businesses face. Since they’re starting out in the market, they can’t afford to spend too much on business cards, which forces them to print their brand information on cheap-quality paper.
Again, this creates a poor impression on the receiver’s mind, and they switch to another company. Believe it or not, aesthetics do matter regarding business cards!
2. How can digital cards increase ROI networking?
Coming to digital business cards, a lot can be said about these stylish new players in the market. If you want to know how they can improve your ROI networking, then here are just a few of the many ways!
a. Professionally convey your brand
Gone are the days when only paper business cards created a long-lasting impression. Today, a digital business card can instantly attract your clients.
The sleek design of these cards will convey the impression that your business is all about delivering the best to your customers.
Moreover, when the card recipient notices that you have successfully switched from conventional cards to digital ones, they’ll understand that your company believes in keeping up with the latest trends.
b. A lot of information in one place
The biggest reason digital business cards are gaining so much importance is that companies can now fit tonnes of information in a single card.
Earlier, conventional cards could only fit the company name, logo, contact information, and perhaps a line or two.
But now, digital cards can hold not just the company’s website but also other hyperlinks, social media profiles, discount coupons, and a lot more. Some cards can even be linked to Google Maps to display the company location!
c. Contactless distribution of cards
Another major reason digital cards can help you with high ROI networking is that you can distribute them without traveling far and wide to meet business partners or clients.
You must create an online meeting link and embed the digital business card’s QR code in the background. Or you can even send the cards via emails and other promotional offers.
After the pandemic, most clients and businesses wish to do contactless transactions, and digital cards are the best option!
d. Convenient to carry
Using paper business cards will require you to carry full stacks wherever you go. Moreover, you’ll also have to carefully store these stacks away from moisture and other liquids.
But when it comes to digital business cards, you can easily store them in your smartphone or e-wallet.
Even if you have a metal-based NFC business card, you won’t have to worry about spilling drinks or food on them. They’re much more durable and waterproof, which can be a huge advantage.
e. Reduces printing expenses
For small or medium-sized businesses, procuring business cards can be expensive. Choosing a conventional business card means you must select high-quality paper and an eye-catching template.
All these things can greatly inflate your cost and bring down your revenues. Fortunately, digital cards can reduce all these expenses by making you print the card only once.
Sure, the initial cost is going to be a little more than what you’d pay for conventional cards, but in the long run, this will be far more beneficial.
f. Real-time performance metrics
If there’s one thing paper-based cards can’t tell you, it’s how your brand is performing through card distribution.
When you share digital business cards with others, you can analyze different metrics based on how many people swiped your card on their phones or opened the embedded QR code.
These metrics will tell you which group of people have used your card the most, how many times each customer has used the card, and what you can do to improve the brand value.
3. When to use digital business cards for ROI networking?
Even though there’s no clear rule on where you can or can’t use your digital business cards, here are a few popular events where distributing them is a must:
a. Business conferences
Business conferences are the best event where you can easily network with many people and promote your brand.
Therefore, make sure to share your digital code or metal cards with as many people as possible. Ask them to connect with you on your social media platforms using the chip or QR code on the card.
b. Physical collaterals
Even though many small businesses don’t usually do this, posting your business’ QR code on physical collaterals like bulletin boards, phone booths, and signage will increase your ROI networking.
This is because all these areas gather high traffic. So you have a good chance of attracting customers from different demographics.
c. Emails
If you want to make your presence known through online platforms, there’s no better way to share your business card details than by emailing your existing and potential customers.
Add the QR code to the email whenever anyone signs up for your mailing list. Ask the person to purchase from your website and give them a discount!
d. Online meetings
Even if you’re hosting or participating in an online business meeting or conclave, you can easily share details of your business cards!
Embed the QR code of the cards onto the meeting screen and asked the participants to scan it. According to your preferences, they will be redirected either to your company website or to an external link, such as your social media pages.
Conclusion
If you plan to expand your business by engaging in ROI networking, digital business cards are the way to go.
Many different kinds of digital cards are available in the market, so choose one that is handy, affordable, and resonates with your brand mission!
