Which of the following are good reasons to ask customers for their business cards?

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Everything we do in business today is digital -- sending mail, signing contracts, attending meetings, even networking. The business card is one thing that digital will not fully replace anytime soon.

Here are five reasons why the old school business card is still important -- and why you should have a pocket full of them at all times.

1. Swapping contact information digitally is impersonal.

Networking is about making genuine connections. Sending contact information via text or email on the spot is convenient but it is also extremely impersonal. Engaging in eye contact and actual conversation is how real relationships begin.

Related: 9 Clever Business Cards You'd Want In Your Wallet

Two individuals with their heads buried in their phones typing away won't create any kind of significant memory of the encounter. You can easily transfer the information from a business card to your mobile device after the conversation.

2. They are the most effective direct marketing tools.

Email marketing, search engine optimization and paid media all do a great job of attracting leads and prospects, but they still aren't as effective as an in-person meeting sealed with a handshake along with a business card exchange.

You can encounter a potential lead or contact at any time -- tradeshows, industry conferences, happy hour, airport lounges -- and arming yourself with business cards at all times will ensure that you never miss an opportunity to make a valuable business connection. Keep some in your pockets, wallet, money clip or laptop bag so the next time you encounter a prospect you are prepared.

3. A business card is the first impression of your brand.

When you meet someone that could potentially be a great prospect or connection, don't you want him or her to walk away with a great first impression? A memorable business card does a lot more than just pass on an email address or phone number.

When I make a connection via my business card, I don't want my brand associated with the word cheap. A retail store trying to make a great first impression wouldn't create a storefront sign with a piece of cardboard and a Sharpie. I have that same mentality when it comes to my business cards.

My goal is to make a memorable first impression -- I use metal business cards from MyMetalBusinessCard.com for extra impact. They make a great first impression and they also act as a great icebreaker. I have never once had a conversation end after handing over my business card. A unique business card will actually fuel the conversation even further.

Related: What to Do When Someone Refuses to Take Your Business Card

Image credit: Jonathan Long

Yes, they cost more -- but think of how many unnecessary expenses you can cut to allocate funds for great business cards. Hold off on the ping pong table and espresso machine for the office and get some business cards that will make a great first impression.

4. Creative business cards get shared -- continuing to market for you.

A business card is a physical object that a potential prospect leaves the encounter with. Your brand stays with them.

If you meet a prospect and exchange email addresses and phone numbers you each walk away with another contact on your mobile phone -- it ends there. If you hand over a creative business card that makes a great impression that person is likely to show it to other people -- putting you and your brand in front of additional prospects.

5. Business cards show you are prepared.

Have you ever had someone write his or her contact information on a cocktail napkin and hand it over to you? How about someone that had a mobile phone with a dead battery? It isn't the most professional approach.

If you met two individuals and one was scrambling to find a pen and something to write on and the other person simply pulled out a business card, who would you want to do business with? Showing that you are prepared at all times is a great indicator that you are professional.

Fear not. Conversations will still end with, "Let me give you my business card," at least for a little longer.

How do you feel about business cards -- do you still use them and see them sticking around for a long time? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Related: The Do's and Don'ts of Business Cards

If you love treating yourself some bubble tea, coffee, or even snacks, you will definitely be familiar with loyalty cards. As the name suggests, in exchange for your loyalty :), discounts and promotions are offered the more you purchase the products from the business. Loyalty cards are an excellent way to generate sales and serve as a great marketing tool for spreading the word about your company. The concept of loyalty cards is straightforward. When a customer visits your store and makes a purchase, a stamp will be placed on their card. This can encourage customers to return to your store for repeat business. 

The following are the reasons why loyalty cards are great to use as a marketing tool for your business.

Increase Frequency Of Sales

Loyalty cards can ensure consistent flow of revenue, as they encourage customers to return as many times as possible to take advantage of your company’s exclusive deals. In other words, the more products you buy, the more offers you get in return. The promotion doesn’t always have to offer a lot as well, it can be a free cup of bubble tea from 10 purchases, for example! Regardless of the offer, loyalty cards are a win-win situation for both the business and the customers.

Make Customers Feel Rewarded 

With the rise of many competitors, customers may switch to rival companies at a drop of a hat. By creating loyalty cards, you can make most consumers stick with your brand longer, and make them feel more relevant and attached to your business. Loyalty is royalty after all, reward your loyal customers often to keep them coming back for more!

Increase Product Awareness

Loyalty card programmes can be used to encourage customers to try something new the next time they shop with you. Let's say you recently launched a new flavor of bubble tea, you can integrate your new bubble tea as the reward from the loyalty card. Who knows, customers might enjoy the new bubble tea so much that they’ll buy it the next time they come back! Aside from that, changing the reward once a while can make things more exciting, don’t you think?

Increase Exposure

Word of mouth works best from loyalty cards! Customers are likely to recommend their friends to join them in purchasing your products. For example, if your card requires a certain amount to get a stamp, customers may ask people they know to reach that quota. Get creative with your loyalty cards, and you might get a whole family to shop at your store! ;)

Learn More About Your Customers

A loyalty card programme is a great way to generate customer data, as it allows a company to track and analyse customers' purchasing habits. With the data gathered, you can then modify your marketing plans to match your customer’s needs.

Conclusion

As we have seen so far, loyalty cards can boost brand loyalty, make your loyalty program easy, gather information and all kinds of benefits. Not to mention, loyalty cards are fun to design as well! If you already have a loyalty card design ready, why not try printing them with Gogoprint?

Here at Gogoprint, we offer many kinds of materials to print with, whether it's kraft cards or textured cards, we have them! Give your loyalty cards an extra boost with the materials and quality we have, and we’ll get them delivered right at your doorstep.

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