With an estimated 88% of business cards thrown away the week after receiving them, it’s no surprise businesses hope to move away from traditional business cards. Not only is the majority of contact information moving online, but companies worldwide have switched to greener, eco-friendly alternatives to standard business operations. 

Business cards have their place, and interfacing with other business owners is crucial to running a company. However, there are plenty of creative ways to replace the business card. Here, we cover some of the more popular ways to share contact information without relying on a 3.5 x 2-inch piece of paper and creative suggestions on how to spice up your networking. 

Switch to Technology

The obvious solution to a world leaning more and more on technology is to make a virtual business card. From using QR codes to share company information to setting up a website created to share social media links, there are countless tech-based alternatives to the business card to reduce the amount of paper waste your company generates. 

Online creators have been using platforms like Carrd and other build-your-own profile sites for years, so why can’t small business owners take advantage of the updatable, free-build template too? Unlike business cards, online link hubs and websites can be easily updated without needing to print a new order of business cards. Plus, you can decorate these online spaces depending on the season, holiday, or promotion without incurring reprinting and design costs. 

If you’re looking for a cost-effective, modern way to connect with other business owners, invest in a QR code or link site to host all the important information about your company in one place. This offers connections with customers and clients and can act as a launch pad for your social media accounts and company initiatives. It is a combo networking and marketing endeavor. 

Offer Something Useful

Interestingly, the same idea behind crafting authoritative, engaging content applies to connecting with businesses. If you don’t offer something worthwhile, your contacts will likely forget your business, especially at a busy conference or advertising event. Everyone has a stack of appointment cards from local doctors and dentists, and like business cards, these notifications rarely do more than remind you that you need to cut down on your paper usage. 

On the other hand, many offices give out pens, erasers, or even stress toys with their contact information on them. These useable objects contain contact information for the office and serve a purpose. You’re unlikely to keep around a business card cluttering your desk, but a fidget toy gets constant use and keeps the brand name in your mind.

With this in mind, tying your company’s contact information to something useful can be a great way to engage your future clients and professional contacts. From small toys with your website printed on them to water bottles, bracelets, and more, tying your brand to a functional, usable product keeps you in your customer’s minds. In addition, it creates a positive association with your business. 

Use a Green Alternative

While switching to a reusable item or a tech-based business card technically counts as being more environmentally conscious, why not go all the way with your business cards? From biodegradable business cards made from recycled materials to contact cards dotted with seeds, there are countless fun green alternatives to traditional business cards.

With green alternatives, you need to research to find some that work for your company. While you can easily use recycled materials, putting some thought into how your company represents a commitment to sustainability can go a long way, both toward helping the environment and building your company’s image.

For example, if your company produces a lot of paper waste, using recycled paper is a great option to help reduce your carbon footprint. On the other hand, if your company is wood-based, see if you can turn production line excess into new business cards. With a bit of creativity, you can not only build a positive reputation for your business but also impact your business’s production waste.  

Go Quirky

Of course, the real issue with business cards is they’re forgettable. Sure, you’ve probably seen a few clever business cards in your day (I once received a business card with instructions on how to turn the card into a paper crane, which I promptly did). Still, for the most part, these rectangles of paper are easy to misplace and harder to remember. So adding a layer of creativity to your business card replacements can go a long way for your business. 

A good example of a creative business card alternative is a nail art company offering free press-on nails with the company’s name. This advertises the company’s products and means that anyone wearing these nails not only acts as a walking billboard but has the company’s information literally at their fingertips. But, of course, this only works for the first company to give out free nails, which is where creativity comes into play.

Good marketing looks at your current business, target customers, and resources and finds the best way to connect the first two without overspending on the third item. Creative brainstorming about your company and who you’re looking to reach with your business card replacements helps you learn about your company’s image and may also lay the foundation for a new and exciting marketing campaign. 

Of course, creative business contact information doesn’t have to exist only in the physical world. A clever URL, a fun QR code design, or any number of technological breadcrumbs can all have the same impact as a physical advert and still connect your company with potential partners and clients. 

If you’re looking to up your company’s outreach strategies, Planted Marketing can help. Having a well-designed website is as important as an accurate business card and reaches far more people than a simple piece of paper ever could. We work diligently to connect small business owners with future clients and customers and help manage marketing campaigns that propel your business to new heights. To get started or to find out more, contact us today.