Business Cards Are A Waste

Published by Mike Michalowicz (Google+)

How To Become An Entrepreneur

I know this may sound crazy: In general, business cards are waste.  Not only do they add to trash when they get thrown away (yes, your card will inevitably get thrown away), they bring about a false sense of security.

Think about it. When you give a business card to someone you think, “They have my info.  They can now contact me. I don’t need to follow up.  They will call me when they need me.” Wrong. Absolutely wrong.  They will forget you.  Just like you have forgotten the countless number of people who have given you their cards over the years, or even yesterday for that matter. 

There is a better way to get more business (and go green while you do it).  Don’t hand out business cards, instead collect business cards.

Once you have their cards, take control.  Call them.  Build the relationship.  Seek ways to do business together.

The Lesson:   As strange as it sounds, when it comes to business cards, be a taker not a giver.

 

By Mike Michalowicz, Author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur

 

Category: Marketing Like Mad, Skill Toolbox
Tags: , , , , .

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  • Renelda

    Indeed you are correct. People attention span is very low and tentative to connect with others. It is more of a nuisance to just hand out business card rather than building relationship.

  • Suzanne

    Agreed!!!!! Event worse, handing out cheap cards (like the free ones or the ones made on laser printers) not only get thrown out, but make you look super cheap.

    Ironically, it is much more professional to say that you just ran out of cards than it is to hand the something cheap.

    • http://www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com Mike Michalowicz

      @Renelda – cards definitely have their role. Just sparingly, and just as a convenience. Relationships and opportunities are only built through communication.

      @Suzanne – great point…. cheap looks, well, cheap.

  • http://www.selfcoachingcards.eu selfcoachingcards

    Agree! I make it a point never to hand out business cards unless someone asks me for them. Even if I ask someone for theirs – if they don’t ask me back, I won’t hand out my card “automatically” in return.
    This way I know that whoever has my card wanted it and is interested in what I do.

  • http://www.identitymagazine.net Susan

    I am finally out of my business cards and WILL not be handing them out anymore. I’m now a taker, not a giver!

    • http://www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com Mike Michalowicz

      @Susan – Be a taker!!! BE A TAKER!!!!

  • http://alexanderhold.com Alexander Hold

    You almost had me there. I disagreed before I read your conclusion. I like you Lesson: As strange as it sounds, when it comes to business cards, be a taker not a giver.

    I totally agree, however I would like to comment on the fact that you say that business card in general are waste. I agree, but there might be some way to prevent your card from being worthless. The answer is to add value to you them. For instance turn you card in to a lottery ticket, or make it so special that the receiver will hold on to it, just to show his or her friends. I have been told that cards made from aluminium should be popular. :) Might not the TPE styrl – I don’t know! ;) At least be innovative.
    But again good point. It is always easier to choose the direction if you are in the drivers seat. Thank you for a good article.

    • http://www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com Mike Michalowicz

      @Alexander – very, very, interesting point. I really like your idea of adding value to the card…. and LOVE the idea of a lotto ticket. Thanks for the input.

  • http://www.selfcoachingcards.eu selfcoachingcards

    Agree with Alexander to make the cards look special. Even better idea to add a value to the card “receiver”..
    I made my cards look special so they catch people’s attention, but there’s not really an added value to the receiver.
    I’ve had people asking me for my cards just because they’ve seen them somewhere and “wanted one, too”. That’s great on one hand, however on the other hand they wanted the cards for the sake of the cards and not so much for me :)
    It’s like a great commercial spot on tv that you love watching again and again but you actually totally miss what brand it is for… :)

    My next batch of cards will have that added value!!

  • http://alexanderhold.com Alexander Hold – alexanderhold.com

    @selfcoachingcards – Sounds very interesting that people are demanding your card! How did you manage that – what was special with you card?
    @Mike – You are very welcome…

  • http://www.jaimealmond.com Jaime Almond

    In theory this is a good idea, in practice it can be a bit impractical.

    If both parties follow your advice and don’t have cards, then you end up writing down information.

    If someone actually wants your business card, or it’s an older person who sees them as valuable, it can make you look unprofessional to not have one.

    I think a better practice is to reduce the amount of cards you had out, but still have them for situations that require them.

    • http://www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com Mike Michalowicz

      @Jamie – Touche! Great point. I guess the better suggestion is to hand out cards sparingly, when the other party is sincerely interested in your contact info…. AND to have a pen and paper ready to jot down their info if they don’t have a card. Thanks for the excellent point.

  • http://businesscarddesignideas.com/ Maureen

    Interesting take on business card exchange, but i guess you do have a point there :)

    • http://www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com Mike Michalowicz

      @Maureen – Thanks!!!

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