Business Cards - Are They A Thing of the Past?

I use business cards and always make sure I have cards on me when I'm out.  I can't tell you how often people ask me for a business card.  My husband even carries some for me, as I do for him.  

No cookie order leaves the kitchen without a business card attached to it (see picture), and a brochure under the platter.   

The brochures were printed to target new corporate customers, and as a reminder to my current corporate customers not to forget me!  The pictures were very selective, to give show them what I can do if they aren't on social media.

I'm not sure I understood correctly, are you suggesting that people don't use Facebook for business anymore?  While I would agree that Facebook has serious competition with Twitter, Instagram and other social media outlets, I wouldn't disregard it yet.  I still continue to get new customers through Facebook and as recently as yesterday, there was an article about a cupcake company here (in Michigan) that has built their business (now 17 stores) by using social media to get foot traffic in their stores.  Even though they post on Twitter and Instagram everyday, FB is a larger forum to put out more information.  

My target audience isn't necessarily using social media (as I do) consistently.  Having the opportunity to put my name and phone number in a persons hand, on a business card, is one more opportunity for a new customer. 

Those cookies are fabulous Lisa!  I love that detail 

Thank you Kelly!

Lisa, these cookies are amazing!  I am in awe of all of the incredible cookies I see on this site daily!

 

I have attached a copy of my business cards, still working on the website - hopefully it will be up and running soon. 

Thanks Jeanna ... you're business cards are cute ... I like the quote on the back!  

I got my business cards a couple of years ago from Vistaprint. They were cheap and the quality was great but I do notice that for the amount that I have given out I maybe have gotten 5% new customers. Now, I do have confidence in my work so I'm almost certain it can't be that people aren't interested in my cookies. It could be that I do not supply a phone number, lack of a logo (working on it!), or no graphics that could also decrease my chances of obtaining new customers. Or maybe business cards are a thing of the past? When I make cookie favors I always put a clear address label with a similar design to my business card on the back. Even that has produced minimal results. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or maybe people don't like holding on to a bunch of business cards...I don't have a smartphone but I have seen those little coded graphic thingies that you can scan with your smartphone that will take you to a business's website or email or something. Maybe this is the new way to do things!

 

 

 

I'm thinking the smartphone code would be a great idea to implement - love that idea!!

Definitely not they are still popular, in fact I make business card cookies for clients.

Thank Goodness Its Home Made

I always thought that business cards are important. Mine were done by Judy @ https://www.facebook.com/pages...sign/183121598393240  I also have my logo on the doors of my car. It's a great way to get your name out there. 

Cool cards, everyone!

 

Clarification for Gigi's: I meant, "Or are Facebook and other social media outlets your go-to marketing tools?"

I had my card custom-designed and printed locally. I find it so hard to get colors printed the way I like since every printer is different, so when I print locally I have more control over color corrections.  

I use business cards, facebook and website

I don't get the cookie business cards. A potential customer would have to write down the business information  (or maybe input it into a smart phone/other device) because it would be lost once the cookie is consumed. I just don't know how many people, in this fast paced world, that would take the time to do it. Am I wrong?

You can scan the cookie card into your phone and customers usually present a regular business card with it.  it is a novel way for them to be remembered, and yes, they are very popular and yes they do make people remember you.

There is never a time that I don't have at LEAST a stack of cards with me, and a handful go into each order's box. I also slip them into places publicly- leave them in geocaches, pull up ButterWinks on facebook on all the laptops in Best Buy and leave a card on the keyboard, with my tip at the end of the meal. Plus When I'm buying an entire cart full of powdered sugar, butter, and flour... people are BOUND to ask what I'm up to! haha.  

I think a cookie business card added to every order is a great idea.  They may eventually eat it, but if it's a business that you're sending to and they see it and like it, you could potentially get another order for their business card cookies.  

I have business cards and I always have them with me.  I include them with every order. 

 

Majority of my orders come from someone getting one of my business cards from someone else. I stick a few in every order I do. I also started using them on the outside of the box kind of like a sticker or label. Wrap ribbon around the box and then tape down a card where the ribbon comes together...cute, and useful!

Business cards are a must in my profession, but due to the conservative nature of that profession I chose to go super simple and traditional with very plain and understated business cards, with simple black raised printing on an ivory linen textured card.  However, if I ever decide to sell cookies as well (if we ever get a Cottage Food Law passed here), I will definitely give the card for that some flair! Thanks for this great thread to be able to see the creative business cards others have created.