What’s The Protocol with Giving Out Business Cards Today | 01/29/2026/ | Stephen Says Column

Dear Stephen,
 
What’s the deal with handing out business cards today? I’m in sales, I work for a big company that gives us business cards, but I rarely use them. When I’m in a design firm or when I’m talking to end-user clients, we just tap our phones together or we send a text with contact info.
 
Last month my boss came from HQ to work with me in the field and he was more than happy to give out his business card at each sales call. I had a worrying feeling that he was disappointed I was not giving out mine. And then another time when I was at a trade show with my company I got the evil eye from him when I was not giving out scads of business cards.
 
What’s the protocol on giving out business cards today? Do salespeople still do this? I’m in my early 40’s, so I’m not a kid. But I do deal with sometimes customers younger than me.
 
Signed,
Here’s my card, NOT!

---

Dear NOT,
 
To give you my personal answer to your question about business cards is salespeople should still carry business cards! But, business cards are no longer the primary way to exchange contact information. Think of your business card as strategic backup and more of a branding tool, it’s not the main event.
 
There are many moments in sales that still demand business cards, some examples would be older customers or C-suite executives in traditional industries that still expect a card. Next, trade shows are very obvious places to give out business cards, or industry functions and meetings -- and you would definitely be getting the evil eye from me if you did not hand me a business card!
 
If you do business internationally, like I do, you’ll find that most individuals that work for companies outside of the United States give out business cards either first thing or definitely before leaving. The business card represents a signal of respect. When someone hands you a card and you do not have one to hand back, you look completely unprofessional at that very moment.
 
Here are some other things I like personally about having a business card and giving it out –
 
The business card creates a physical memory of you and your company. If you have a very well-designed card with quality stock, it reinforces your brand’s image or credibility. My favorite example for you is to think of your business card as signaling that you’re a serious business person. Think of it like other advice I give people when it comes to their career -- a firm handshake for both men and women; polished shoes (as opposed to showing up in Sketchers!); judicious use of your phone... and a business card -- all of which says to me “I’m prepared. I do this for a living.”
 
I hope that answers your question. But all that being said, a business card is no longer enough. Use that business card to then immediately connect with that person through LinkedIn. Take their cell phone number so you can text. You definitely need to have a business card and use it, you just need to carry fewer of them these days, and my personal advice is it always needs to be a quality card made with a great stock.
 
Bottom line answer is business cards aren’t dead! The best salespeople still carry them, even though they also connect digitally. You use your business card as a professional accent – not a crutch.
 
Some of you who’ve been in the industry and have known me a long time may even know this story—
 
Many years ago, when I was a young headhunter, I ran into an individual named Carl Magnusson (who at the time had just left Knoll) in the American Airlines Admirals Club lounge at O’Hare Airport in Chicago, as we were both heading home from NeoCon. We had known each other for years, but we still exchanged business cards. Carl handed me what, at the time, seemed like the Tiffany of business cards – great stock, embossed and even de-bossed. I was floored. When I handed him my puny The Viscusi Group card, I was somewhat embarrassed. Carl had designed the card himself for his own business... he then offered to redesign my business card. To this day I have a debossed business card with a quality stock per Carl's recommendation – if you run into me, ask for one! (And thank you Carl!)
 
Signed,
Stephen
 

Stephen Viscusi is the founder of www.viscusigroup.com, an executive search firm that specializes in the interior furnishings industry. Hires made through The Viscusi Group are guaranteed a one-year free replacement.
Please share your story or comment on this article and send your workplace questions to stephen@viscusigroup.com. Or give us a call at (212) 979-5700 ext. 101.

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