Do you have a card? No, Google me.

May 25, 2011 | Posted by Craig LePan

Do you think we're almost finished with business cards? Not that many years ago I spent countless hours looking for just the right stock like American Psycho (if you don't remember that scene click here). I lost sleep over getting the type face right and then starred at the screen until I thought the type was properly balanced. Getting your new company cards from the printer was second only to Christmas morning. In those days I wouldn't dream of going into a meeting without a card, now it's a rare occasion that I actually have one with me. 

It was only 2003 that my business cards were still neatly organized alphabetically in binders, safe inside plastic sheets. The ones with the best designs were dust protected like they were Gretzky rookie cards.

That system became too cumbersome and was replaced by the desktop rolodex. Now both are in the back of a basement closet somewhere. When I first got rid of them I remember painstakingly entering each contact into my computer. Hours of my life I'll never get back. 

Now Linkedin has replaced my binders and rolodex and keeps every contact's information up to date. Although exchanging business cards is still a common tradition, sadly it's just as common to toss the card in the garbage when you get back to the office after entering it into your computer or sending a connection request.

All of this aside, we've designed and produced some pretty cool business cards at FLIPP. Keeping in mind that people throw them out we designed one out of steel in the shape of a bottle opener. No one threw that one out and it was featured on a ton of business card review sites.

I do miss business cards. I miss the cache of having a really cool card, a great spot varnish and a unique die cut, but the whole idea needs to be rethought. In fact just writing this post gave me an idea for the next generation of FLIPP cards.

Do you take cards to meetings? Do you throw them out when get back?