Networking is evolving at a record pace thanks to our increasing reliance on technology. Everything from how we do business, how we meet up, and even how we exchange contact information is changing to reflect a paperless, eco-friendly society.
While paper business cards have long been a networking staple, exchanging and managing bits of paper is no longer convenient in our digital world.
More and more professionals are turning to digital business cards to share information with new contacts easily. This is especially true for professionals who rely on relationships to drive their business growth and boost their bottom line.
But what are digital business cards, do you need one, and how are they made? Let’s take a look at the revolutionary way to share contact information through a digital business card format to expand your network and grow your business today!
A digital business card, also known as an electronic or virtual business card, is a way to share and save contact information in real-time quickly. They are customized with your unique information and can be as detailed or general as you wish.
When you are ready to share it, you would provide a URL, a QR Code, or embed it on your webpage. The recipient would click the link or scan the QR Code and access all your contact information.
Some free digital business card apps require the recipient to have the same app, but others allow you to share your contact information without being dependent on the mobile app.
Digital business cards are the best way to move your brand forward. In this digital era, your virtual business card will enhance your networking interactions and demonstrate that you are willing to adapt to changing times.
You’ll always have your business cards on hand as long as you have your phone or computer within reach. Since everything is electronic, you don’t need to worry about a low card supply or leaving them at home.
Digital cards also have the convenience of being extremely editable, meaning they are always up-to-date with your latest contact information. If you switch jobs, change your phone number, or want to add more information, you can do that with a few keystrokes.
Because you can easily find free digital business card templates and create them yourself, there’s no need to pay hundreds of dollars on paper cards that will probably get thrown away or lost by the recipient. This allows you to redirect this budget to another part of your business.
If you are looking for a more premium virtual business card, some apps allow you to upgrade your card design to include custom URLs, QR Codes, unique colors, and more.
We know that most of the paper business cards we hand out are tossed into a drawer or vessel, never to be revisited. Even if the person has a business card scanner, it may cause your contact information to get lost in the shuffle.
When you share a digital business card, it goes directly to the receiver’s inbox, making it easy to integrate into their workflow.
Virtual business cards make following up simple and more efficient, which leads to the development of more robust connections. They also integrate well with a CRM system.
Because online meetups and virtual events are part of our everyday life, virtual business cards are a staple for professional online networking.
You can share electronic business cards with anyone over email, text, or social media. You can even hold up a QR Code during a video call, and anyone in attendance can scan with a mobile device and access your contact information.
As we regain a sense of normalcy, digital business cards will retain functionality because they are germ-free and require no physical contact to exchange.
When you share a digital business card, you are making a statement about yourself and your brand. You are communicating that you are up-to-date with the latest technological advancements, and you care about making the recipients’ lives a little easier.
By having a virtual card at the read, you will stand out from the crowd and inspire a new trend in your industry, especially if you are the first to pioneer them!
Anyone can design an electronic business card and be ready to share it on the same day. You can create these eco-friendly alternatives on an iPhone, Android device, or computer. They are more affordable than their paper counterparts because there are no printing or shipping costs, and you can easily change or add information.
Unlike paper business cards, there are no limits to how much contact info can fit. When planning your virtual business card, consider adding some or all of the following information:
Because they are easy to make and edit, you can create multiple digital business cards for different purposes, like personal networking and another for your business-centered social network.
The beauty of having a virtual business card is that sharing is simple and can be done in several different ways.
The more accessible your digital business card is, the more likely your contact info will end up in an address book that will lead to a sales lead or new business contact.