Do you use a business card when introducing yourself to possible customers and suppliers? If so, is it a simple card or does it actually serve a purpose?

I’m only asking because I haven’t used business cards in years. The last business card I had certainly attracted a lot of interest, however. People remembered me by the card and I actually received quite a few orders for business cards just like it.

At the time, I was the sales director of a promotional PVC and polypropylene products manufacturer. We manufactured such promotional items as logo printed ring binders, plastic coasters, conference folders and plastic business cards.

My card was clear flexible plastic and it was printed in three spot colours. It really looked the business!

Somewhat unexpectedly, I am now recalling these long forgotten business cards because of a blog post I read by a friend I met through Twitter.

Graham J Harris or @GrahamJHarris came across a blogpost by a company called Web Designer Depot. The blog showed 100 unique and entertaining business cards. Finding the pictures of interest, he decided to write a post and pass on the pictures through his own blog.

I’m glad he did.

I was happy to see that there were pictures of clear plastic business cards, similar to those I used, still grabbing attention!

You can read Graham’s blog and see all the business card pictures at;
http://www.youtoosocialmedia.co.uk/2011/03/100-creative-business-cards/

Reading Graham’s post got me to thinking about why I have steered away from using cards for so long. After scrolling through the pictures, however, I realised I hadn’t. My business cards have just been in a different shape.

Whenever I visit a new customer I hand them some sort of promotional product. Interestingly, some of the promotional products I have used as ‘business cards’ over the years were featured in the blog post.

I have used promotional coasters, flower seed packs and rulers, for example. These are all products that people could find useful or at least memorable.

If you get a chance to visit the blog you will also find other business cards that are really well designed and eye-catching.

These business cards serve a purpose as well because people like to keep them and even display them near or on their desktops.

When we meet new people who we hope to do business with it is important they remember who we are. Giving them a business card that they can easily associate with your business is an excellent idea.

Giving them a product that they can actually use or want to display will help create opportunities.

So then… What is the best business card you have ever come across? Do you have a card that is better than any other? Now is the time to promote it by leaving a comment.