The quick and short answer to that question is NO.  If you are willing to expand your network through other methods such as online marketing, social media, and offline methods such as print ads, cold calling, etc…, then business cards are not a necessity. In addition, if you’re in network marketing, like I am, then having business cards are even less important for business success.  With all of that being said, let me explain why they may not be as important as you might think.

If you are a home-based business owner, and you wanted someone to learn about your products, services, or opportunities, the key component in order for you to succeed at getting more sales, referrals, and team members, is being able to get your message in front of people, not necessarily your brand.  Often times, business cards represent the business owner’s brand, and this is totally ok.  But what is more important than getting your business card in someone’s hand is being able to communicate to that same person how you can help them with a problem they’re experiencing and having them believe your marketing message enough to want to do business with you.

Once they’re convinced that you’re the one who can help them, that’s when a business card becomes important…simply for the reason that it contains information that tells them how to get into contact with you.  In the interest of full disclosure, I have branded business cards that I give out to people, but I do not give out cards with the expectation that people will be excited to have my card and want to call me. People generally do not buy that way.  If they have your business card, it usually is filed away until they’re in the market for what it is that you have to offer.  That being said, I do recommend that you have business cards, and that you give them out liberally to friends, acquaintances, prospects, etc…But I want you to realize that people will not want to buy from you or do any type of business with you simply because you provided them with your card.  They may eventually call you, but they will only do so when they are ready to do business with you.

So, in regard to business cards and whether you should have them as part of your marketing, I say, absolutely!  Keep in mind, though, that business card distribution is a long game, not something you look at for immediate results.  Your true business success will be as a result of the quality of your communication with your ideal prospects and the type of message you put out through your marketing strategy.  If you’d like to learn more about exactly how to craft the ideal message for your target audience, please reach out to me.  I’d love to hear more about what you’re up to, and how I can help.