Why Do I Need a Business Card?

Why do business owners need business cards? As a business owner, exposure to your company and its services or products is how you gain recognition and earn business. You can endeavor to reach your goals through an array of marketing channels from magazine advertisements to radio spots, but when it comes right down to it, no one can sell a product or service better than you can. Human interaction is 90% more affective at closing a deal than any print or pitch could ever be. The opportunity to communicate one on one with a person and building a relationship during conversation helps develop credibility and a trust that will last longer than any ad will. But to seal the deal on your new found business partner, you want to be able to leave them with something to remember you by. And a professional business card is the way to go.

In the days of old, 15th century China’s elite and royal families introduced the use of “visiting cards” as an announcement of their arrival during any given visitation. As years went on, the visiting card became a standard means of announcement among visitors that brought with it its own rules of etiquette. They were to be designed in accordance to family crests, giving a clear indication of the lineage of its holder. They were distributed one to the other in a very specific manner, and they were used to announce the guests upon arrival.

In the 17th century, London and most of England adapted the use of the visiting cards and converted them into a more commonly used “trade card”. Trade cards were used in business in effort to display a merchant’s location and offerings. Usually incorporating a printed map on it, trade cards were the only means of mapping locations, as street names and numberings were not yet introduced.

In today’s business world, you’ll be hard pressed to find a business not using this ancient form of announcement. Down to the very smallest of company’s, business cards still make a bold statement, displaying ones existence. It’s the most common form of communication mutually accepted throughout the world.

If you’re in business and want to be taken seriously, it’s a good idea to have a business card. Every opportunity you have to share information about your company and provide information on how get in touch is valuable. The next business card you distribute could lead to your first million dollar deal. And you don’t want to be in a position to miss that deal.