Is the Business Card Dying (Or Evolving?)

Yesterday, I stopped by The Roger Smith Hotel, a favorite Manhattan gathering spot for individuals interested in social media. I was there to meet Pam Slim, author of Escape from Cubicle Nation and Jonathan Fields, author of Career Renegade. Jonathan and Pam had joined forces to present a workshop for emerging entrepreneurs. They did not disappoint--even in late afternoon, their energy was palpable--and clearly contagious for those who had attended the workshop.

As is standard practice at such gatherings, business cards were exchanged. And I began to hear a common refrain--one that I've heard frequently in the last 15 months:

"How can I find you on LinkedIn?
What is your Twitter handle?
Is this information on your business card?"

I recognize that this group may not be representative of the general public--after all, these individuals had all signed up to spend a day with two entrepreneurs known for their tech savvy, but the questions about social media URLs on business cards are becoming common.

As a result, I'm beginning to wonder if the traditional business card is dying. Is it only a matter of time before LinkedIn profile URLs become a standard field on the corporate business card? (I don't necessarily see this future for Twitter--outside of PR, marketing, and advertising related fields--but I can definitely foresee this change for LinkedIn.)

I have yet to add social media URLs to my own business card, but I do plan on making this modification when my current supply runs out. In the interim, I've implemented a temporary "green" solution: My LinkedIn profile URL is now a permanent part of my e-mail signature, I've created a new paperless card.ly profile, and I've provided additional contact information through a customized background on Twitter.

While connections are never as good on screen or paper as they are in person, I think providing these additional channels for connectivity represents the evolving future of the "business card" exchange. These are my theories--and action steps--regarding this subject.

What are your thoughts, and how can I help you with your personal marketing plan?

To Your Success,
Chandlee

Comments

[Dan Erwin]

Intriguing notion. Yet, when I'm with a potential client and that person has expressed interest, I usually ask for their card toward the end of the conversation. They nearly always have one.

But as you suggest,the URL seems to be a natural. I have my website on my card, but I suspect my blogsite will be of more value. I'm thinking about changing cards when these run out.

As an aside, I don't buy many cards at a time, even though I spend big bucks on the few. Seems like there's always a needed change based on the new networking and media.