Instagram is the New Business Card
Business cards are now the OG’s of networking.
Though I’ve always understood the purpose of a business card, the functionality never really landed with me. I found myself taking business cards from people with every intention of revisiting them, but undeniably, I would forget only to come across them again after I reorganized my desk or cleaned out my purse months or even years later. My intent was good but you know what they say about intentions.
11 years ago (2010) we were all introduced to the new kid, Instagram, and who would’ve thought it would be what it is today—the top social media platform.
Not only is Instagram a popular platform, it’s an instant connector to people and brands.
What do Instagram and business cards have to do with each other?
You’re more likely to get asked for your IG handle than your business card. We can thank the era of instant gratification! No, business cards are not bad, however in 2021 (unless you’re in a super buttoned up corporate office) it might be considered the “OG” when it comes to staying in contact with someone. Especially since Instagram is armed with easy-to-use relevant functionality like providing fields for a short bio, contact info, and the ability to upload relevant content that showcases what a person or brand cares about in an aesthetically pleasing way. Plus, you have the ability to reach out instantly. You have accessibility at your fingertips and so do your supporters, patrons, and future patrons. I have to say it—the “OG” business card can’t provide that.
Business cards have always been a tangible “remember me” networking tool. The direct benefit in those networking environments was having something physically with you to pass out while you were networking with people. Do you remember when we would wait for the person to awkwardly wrap up the small talk to continue working the room and then once they were far enough, we would jot down some notes from our brief conversation on the back of their business card to remember what and why we were following up? Well the Instagram equivalent to that is “saved collection,” essentially an organized board of saved Instagram posts.
Needless to say, the networking game has changed—and if I’m being honest—we’re always connected. Instagram not only allows you to connect, but you can also get a feel for a person’s or brand’s character. Instagram will never replace having human-to-human contact as it’s important in building strong relationships with people.
What it did do was knock the business cards, “King”, off the board and said “checkmate.” Both are still good players, we just have a new champion.
Another major benefit of using Instagram as your new business card is access to the constant new connections formed every few hours or days. This continual content reminder from the people and brands that you love make it really hard to forget about them.
The business card is not technically “dead,” however the one thing constant in business—and especially the digital world—is change. I’m not asking you to burn all of your business cards, however, I am asking that you pay attention to the changes you see in how we connect with people and in this case it’s Instagram, so how can you use that tool to your advantage.
Welcome to the Age of “What’s your IG handle?”
Are you struggling with creating brand cohesion with your Instagram grid? Or maybe you’re finding it hard to figure out a content cadence? Don’t worry, the ATC team has you covered.
Our new Instagram Branding Consultation Package offers an end-to-end Instagram branding consultation package that includes a 30-min creative brief, a custom brand board featuring your unique brand color palette & sample IG grid, plug&play IG story and timeline posts templates, and a 60-min brand overview presentation.