Business Card Collection: To Have or Not to Have?

Business cards have been around for ages. And as with anything long-standing, it has gone through several transformations. From simple white cards with a name and contact information to those with slick designs, colors, and textures, business cards have evolved over the years. With this evolution comes a question: how many business cards do you need, and what type of cards are necessary?

As someone with a business card collection, I have seen some surprising trends. One of these trends is the increasing number of individuals who carry multiple business cards. But is this practice necessary for everyone? Let’s delve deeper.

How Many Business Cards Do You Need?

For individuals working in a regular nine-to-five job, the expectation is to hand out their employer’s business card at every event they attend. However, things aren’t as straightforward for everyone. The number of individuals pursuing a side hustle or working as freelancers is on the rise. These individuals often have multiple business cards, each representing a different aspect of their business.

So, how many business cards do you need? The answer lies in your individual circumstance. Regardless of whether your employer prints your cards, it’s essential to have at least one. But that doesn’t mean you need to hand out both your personal and employer’s cards. It’s important to consider what you want to achieve with your career.

Business Cards Versus Personal Cards

The type of card you need depends on what your career aspirations are. If you’re looking to monetize your side projects or move to a more significant role soon, you’ll need a personal card listing your contact information. It’s essential to build contacts that you can rely on later in your career, especially if your current employer seems unsteady. You don’t want the best contacts trying to reach you at a work email address after you leave a particular company.

On the other hand, if you’re acting in a capacity as a representative of your employer, it’s best to limit yourself to handing out official business cards. Clients may only be interested in the contact information of the company you’re representing. It’s also possible that you do different things in your off-time than you would for an employer. Networking is more about how many people you can help get things done and how many people might be able to help you.

A Basic Card

Perhaps it’s time to create your personal business card. But what should it look like? Simple cards with only your name, phone number, and email address are effective. Online printers like OvernightPrints and VistaPrints can run cards at prices as low as $10 for 100 cards. Even a basic card without a fancy design can be eye-catching.

Several social media platforms offer an alternative to business cards, among them Contxts. However, these platforms are unlikely to catch on among the average business crowd to get one person’s contact information. It’s better to have a business card that you can hand out quickly when needed.

Writing Personal Contact Information on Business Cards

While it may be appropriate to write down a home phone number on a business card, it’s unprofessional to flip over a card and proceed to write a list of personal contact information, such as LinkedIn or Twitter ID. When this becomes a regular occurrence, it’s time to have personal business cards.

Conclusion

In conclusion, business cards are necessary in today’s professional world. The type and number of cards that you need will depend on your personal circumstance. Having one basic card with your contact information is necessary, but it might be beneficial to have personal cards as well. Business cards are a representation of you and your business, so make sure it leaves a good impression.