Creative Ways Recruiters can Upgrade Their Business Card

If you're a recruiter, you've got business cards by the boxful. They're ubiquitous, especially in your line of work. The problem, though, is that despite their ubiquity, printed business cards simply aren't effective. Let's look at the numbers.

Shocking Stats About Paper Business Cards

• 80% of business cards are thrown away within a week of being received.
• 87% of professionals prefer to connect digitally.
• printed business cards cost about $2.00 per card.

Digital business cards eliminate waste, satisfy the overwhelming majority of professionals' desire for digital contact exchange, are highly customizable and come at about a quarter of the price. Today we're exploring how to create and embellish your digital business card for better connections and results when recruiting.

1. Embrace Digital Business Cards

Once upon a time, business cards were simple white cards of the same size with black print sharing the same information. We've come a long way sine that time with creative business cards, embossed business cards and other styles making a lasting impression.

Today, though, we know that paper business cards, no matter if they're made from recycled paper or have rounded corners, simply don't cut it. They add to clutter and, quite honestly, we know they end up in the trash.

It's time to rethink the business card. Skip embossed printing, and take the next step.

Create a digital business card today.

Ditching paper cards allows you to share relevant information in a way that people want to receive it. You don't have to toss your paper cards right now, but add one to your repertoire and we think the A/B test will speak for itself.

2. Most Business Cards Only Share The Basics

Paper and digital business cards share key information like name, company, position and contact info. Digital cards, on the other hand, share far more. And they don't simply share this information, they make it accessible.

LinkedIn profiles can be visited at the touch of a button, a text or email can be sent in an instant. Sharing a business card digitally, allows for contact much easier. But there's so much more.

As a recruiter, you're looking for specific things and your business card gives you an edge.

When heading to meet a prospect or going to a networking event, swap out the top line of icons for the positions you're looking to fill.

Meet someone on line at the airport who sounds like they have the skillset, or connections to someone with the skillset, you're seeking? Easily connect and they now have that job description. 

Moreover, utilizing airport lounges as networking spaces can be incredibly effective, and having a digital business card ready ensures you can make a strong professional connection even in transit.

If you're recruiting for a specific company, include a link to the job postings on your company website. Stand apart by sharing, right with your contact information, a corporate video introducing the company. Paper cards can't do this!

3. Take Time for Business Card Design

Creating a digital business card is easy, it can be done in a matter of minutes, but that doesn't mean you should approach it quickly and just fill in the information.

Instead, apply a more thoughtful process to designing it. There are several things to think of when placing information on your card.

First, your card has space for your photo, logo and header photo. The photo and logo spaces are both round.

Use a professional headshot for the photo and make sure that your logo appears fully in the circle, and is not cut off. This communicates attention to detail and a certain amount of technical savvy.

For the header image, don't just toss up any old image. Use a picture of your company's headquarters, or, use a site like Canva to design a simple image that shows off what you're currently hiring for.

These simple touches, thoughtfully created in just a few extra minutes, communicate far more than cool business cards with foil printing or rounded corners. They show a tech-embracing, professional persona looking to communicate relevant information to candidates.

4. Take Advantage of The Flexibility of Your Business Card

One of the best things about going digital for a business card is that you can change it in an instant, with zero need for re-ordering and waiting for the new cards to arrive.

As a recruiter, whether in-house or a headhunter, you can use this agile tech to always share contact information that's specific to the prospect with whom you're meeting.

When taking on a new client, change your business card to reflect recent successes and testimonials from satisfied clients. Having this information at their fingertips makes it easy for companies to see you're the right choice and that you're confident in your skills and successes.

When you're out and about, keep the links focused on companies and positions you're hiring for. When you come across the right person, share not just the usual info but also plant the seed about positions they might be a good fit for.

5. Share a Sense of who you are and Represent with your Business Card

Using a digital card shows that you're aware of what today's professional seeks.

You value easy communication, and you want to share more than just the basics. Essentially, you're interested in fostering deeper, more authentic connections.

You're also communicating that you and the employers you represent value sustainability. 7 million trees are felled to make business cards each year, and considering how many business cards are tossed upon receipt, it's a shame.

6. Forget Creative Business Cards

We know there are so many options when it comes to designing a business card. There's raised lettering, the embossed business card, unique sizes and shapes, unique color combinations but, at the end of the day, the only thing these add to your business card is cost.

Potential clients might love the aesthetic of a printed card, but that isn't going to make them keep it or, more importantly, use it.

Someone might not remember what you do if they just get your card. But if they can click on that card and see a video of you introducing yourself, see the positions you're interested in filling, or read client testimonials, they're going to remember.

7. Dive Into Analytics

One thing that really sets the digital business card apart is analytics. Digital business card software allows you to track which cards are performing well, who has clicked what and give you a great idea of what is, and isn't working. Whether you're operating alone or as a team, it's easy to build an even better experience using the provided analytics to drive decisions on how to design and use your card.

8. Leverage the Power of Communications

When sharing your digital business card, recipients are given the option of sharing right back with you. This capture is far more helpful for you than a paper card. No need to manually input it (although there is an option to scan printed cards you receive).

Once you've gotten their information, you can tag the contact and set up automatic communications like a follow-up text or email. Using these features allows for more robust communications and, hopefully, connections.

Recruiters: There's Really Only one Business Card Option

From the ability to curate what you share with whom to developing a professional, eco-friendly solution, there's no reason to stick with printed cards.

Ditch the paper card, design a digital business card and follow our tips to capture leads that work for you. Start designing your Popl digital business card today.