Why I still use business cards

The demise of the humble business card has long been predicted, thanks to the rise of smartphones and LinkedIn. Yet they’ve had extraordinary staying power—in more ways than one—as workers struggle to Marie Kondo those they’ve collected from business acquaintances, or representing jobs they’ve left behind.

Of course, COVID put the kybash on the need for cards, but things are turning around.

I still have them and, as a matter of habit developed over years, stuff them into my pants pockets each morning just in case I want to use them. Call me old fashioned, but I refuse to can the cards because:

1. I like to see my name and picture in print. If you believe Dale Carnegie, I am not alone.
2. Many people in my world (doctors, scientists and engineers) are Linkedout or don't know how to use it to connect even if they are.
3. They are cheap and easy to order online
4. They are a manifestation of high touch in a high tech world
5. They serve multiple purposes-book marks, toothpicks, note pads, preventing the door from locking behind you when you lost your key card at the hotel
6. In fact, to show that I am not a Luddite, I used to have multiple cards depending on the role I wanted to convey to someone. That was, admittedly, a bit much and a narcissistic oversight. Now I use Linkedin more often, have one card and have Kondo'd the rest of my collection along with a bunch of books, T-shirts and stuff in my kitchen junk drawer, which included a bunch of old business cards.
7. The card has a telephone number on it. Remember those? (Joke: How does a millennial know they are being spammed? When their phone rings)
8. When traveling overseas, particularly in Asia, the business culture pays a lot of attention to who should get a business card and , like some card Kabuki, how they should be exchanged. HINT: Be sure the card faces the recipient and delivered with both hands. You might also want to have a translation on the back side of the card
9. Exchanging cards allows you to decide whether you really want to have anything to do with the person who gave you theirs without have to electronically connect on the spot only to have to unfriend them or unconnect when you find out they are a jerk
10. You can exchange cards with that person sitting next to you in business or first class when there is no WiFi access. Who knows? He or she could be your next investor or CEO of your startup
11. It's an ice breaker at Meetups.
12. When I get a new job or gig, it makes me feel like I'm part of the tribe, like learning the secret handshake.
13. Using business cards during COVID took a bit of adaptation, like all things COVID. Here's how to attach your electronic business card to your email signature. Or, how about attaching your signature to your email signature?

Better yet, here's how to create a video email signature to tell people more about you.

Business cards are going digital — literally, in the case of an exec cited by The Wall Street Journal who has his contact details implanted in a microchip next to his index finger (The chip can be scanned by smartphones, which then download the information). If the concept of wearable business cards gets under your skin, the chips can be put inside jewelry such as rings instead. Can't leave paper business cards behind entirely? Including a QR code is a must, according to the Journal, which says expecting people to manually transfer your info into their phones is now asking too much. Not for me. It's too creepy and would mean reordering a bunch of new cards.

The QR code should take users to your website where you can share an intro video, an executive summary, a demo, customer testimonials, or other introductory marketing collateral.

I still use business cards and, believe it or not, the telephone to minimize response time. In case you forgot, it's that thing with the numbered buttons on the front.

But, then again, I still use cash, I like wearing jackets and ties, and I use capital letters too. It just makes me feel better.

Arlen Meyers, MD, MBA is the President and CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs on Substack