Businesses are finding more and more ways to incorporate technology into their everyday operations. This includes the way they communicate with prospective customers and business partners.
Nowadays, companies have gone from paper-heavy formats (e.g., snail mail, business cards, telegrams) to more paperless methods (e.g., email, social media, digital business cards) of relationship building. This has paved the way for a less cluttered and much more efficient channel for communication that helps businesses thrive despite adversity.
In this article, we explore what a digital business card is and what the do’s and don’ts of owning one are.
What are digital business cards?
If this is your first time hearing about digital business cards, you’re not alone. Plenty of companies is yet to discover the brilliance of this piece of technology.
Digital business cards are files that contain essential data and information about yourself and your business. It serves the same purpose as a traditional business card; the only difference being you don’t have to print digital business cards.
These files can be accessed through links that you send to your prospective clients or customers. If you want, you can even personalize your cards and add interactive elements within the files, such as videos, images, and links.
The great thing about digital business cards is that it allows companies to reach a wider audience in a shorter time. It also helps improve brand awareness since you’ll be able to include more details and information about your business and your mission.
The do’s and don’ts of digital business cards
Much like everything related to business, there is a right and wrong way of incorporating business cards into your company system. Below are the common do’s and don’ts of digital business cards so you can carefully apply them.
1. Do: Personalize your business cards
Keep in mind that, at the end of the day, what you’re trying to do is build strong relationships with your prospects. Putting a little effort into your interaction can help you achieve this goal and gain new clients on your roster.
The simple act of adding a personalized note or message for the person you’re sending your digital business card to can go a long way. It will make the other person feel important and encourage them to keep in touch with you as a result.
Here’s a quick example of how your message should go:
“It was such a pleasure meeting you today. Sending you my contact information so we can keep in touch. I look forward to doing business with you soon!”
Of course, you can insert any message you want. Just make sure you don’t make the other person feel like they’re getting another generic business message.
2. Do: Professional headshots are important
Studies show that including a professional headshot in your digital business card can increase its effectiveness by 400%. Considering this number, it makes it all the more important for you to include a professional headshot. Prospective clients feel better and much more confident about a business when they have a person to link it to.
Make sure that in your headshot, you’re looking your best. Get a professional to take your photo from the chest up. Put on your best business outfit and make sure that your photo exhibits the current aesthetics of the industry you’re in.
3. Do: Practice sharing your card
Fumbling with your phone to share your digital business card is not something that you want to do when you’re face to face with a client. You want your movements to be as fluid as possible. This is why you should practice sharing your digital business cards with friends and family before you start handing them out to prospects.
Additionally, testing your digital business card with friends and family can help you spot mistakes that you didn’t know were there. Then, you can improve your digital business card as needed.
4. Do: Be confident about your business
Possibly one of the most overlooked factors to successfully creating a digital business card is confidence.
Your digital business card represents you and your business as a whole. Thus, you must highlight all the merits and nuances of your business.
What makes you unique or different from the rest of your competitors? If you think your current card doesn’t show any of that, take time to sit down and perfect everything down to the littlest detail.
Now to the Don’ts
1. Don’ts: Apologies are not in order
The last thing you want to do is apologize for the non-traditional route you’re taking in making your business cards. Show that you’re proud of being different and efficient in your efforts. Don’t downplay your goals as a business and as a brand.
So, if you’re at a conference or a convention and someone asks you for your business card, tell them, “I’ve got something better.” This type of response will ignite the other person’s curiosity and will help paint you as an innovator and creator.
2. Don’ts: Forget to update information
Make sure the details on your digital business card are up-to-date, especially addresses, contact details, as well as your professional title. The last thing you want is for an important business prospect to get the wrong information on you and your business.
The great thing about some digital business cards is that you can alter your information on a single platform and it will automatically sync changes on cards that you’ve already handed out to clients.
3. Don’ts: Compare your digital cards to other business cards
Many businesses still rely heavily on paper-based inventions, so you’ll likely come across someone who hands you a traditional business card. If this happens, remember not to criticize them for not adopting digital business cards into their system just yet.
Most of these people probably already printed a dozen cards several years ago and are simply looking for ways to quickly dispose of them so they can make a transition. Or perhaps they don’t have the means or knowledge on how to make the transition.
Build better connections
Relationships are at the root and centre of all businesses. If you want to create better relationships with the people around you, creating better and more efficient ways to communicate is key. Digital business cards are just one of the many examples you can improve your communication strategies.
Furthermore, it’s a great way to spread awareness about your business and brand to possible business partners and customers. Take time to go through the dos and don’ts of digital business cards to get a head start on your relationship building.
Interesting read: 5 Creative Ways You Can Use Voice Broadcasting to Grow Your Business
The transition to digital business cards is indeed a game-changer! The benefits highlighted here align perfectly with the efficiency and eco-conscious ethos of the digital era.
Speaking of making professional connections seamless, have you explored Linkme? It’s not just a link; it’s your dynamic digital presence. A fantastic companion for modern professionals navigating the digital networking landscape.