Category: Technology Author : Steven Hodson Posted: February 17, 2009
Tags : Business, cloud computing
Business cards are a handy little item that have been a round for a very long time. They have been the basis of things like the Rolodex or over stuffed wallets. The problem is that at some point you need the contact information that is on one of those hundreds of business cards you have collected but be damned if you can find it – until of course you no longer need it.
Dealing with all these business cards was the driving impetuous behind Allen Stern’s site called CloudContacts but until today it usually meant mailing in all those cards to CloudContacts and have them added manually into your account with the service. Well as usual technology has caught up and you can now add those cards as you get them to your CloudContacts account with a simple snap of your mobile phone camera.
Once you have taken the snapshot you email the image to your private CloudContacts mailbox and the little gremlins working behind the scenes quickly convert that information into its electronic form. Now all your contact information is available from anywhere in the world. There’s no application to download and install either – it’s all a matter of snap a shot of the card and email it away. Down and dirty simple which is always a sign of a great idea. Not to mention the fact that all that contact information is easily imported into all the standard email clients, and apparently many of the social media services out there.
For more information about the new service from CloudContacts as well and an ordering form just head over to this page and get yourself started. As well here is a quick video put together by Allen to help explain how it all works a littler better
Feb 18, 2009
There's definitely value to this concept, but a business card book for the best business cards, or most important contacts is a good idea as well. Sometimes it's nice to have something tactile or creative to refer to.
Mar 13, 2009
Business Cards, just like Rubber Stamps, regardless of technology will never cease to exist. Thirty years ago I started my business, selling the newest marvel in “Self Inking” rubber stamps. I was convinced the lowly dirty rubber stamps would be obsolete within a decade.
Three decades later and they are still being sold and going strong. True, more clients prefer the self inking style, but many applications still require the more economical rubber stamps that require the use of the messy ink pads. Technology in rubber stamp making has changed, fancier handle mounts and mechanical gizmo's to take the drudgery and mess out of the original centuries old concept. The bottom line is, the lowly rubber stamp survives.
Business Cards have a long history and they too have been classified by some as being soon to be made obsolete by modern technology. Not only is the lowly business card thriving, it is rising to the occasion of becoming a very important economical marketing marvel for the marketing savvy.
I agree with Steve’s comment about writing on the back of your card before handing it to the recipient. It is almost like a scientific chemical reaction in that it is now personalized just for that person.
Challenges in getting your card kept instead of rubber banded and put in a desk drawer or thrown out has been an ongoing marketing challenge. Business card magnets have limited metal real estate other than the refrigerator and or office file cabinet. Chance are you’ve never heard about or seen BusinessCard NoteCards. Here is a unique product that turns your business cards into NoteCards. Your card is spiral bound to 40 blank note pages and a year-at-a-glance calendar on the back. Fully customized front and backs and inserts make this one of the most unique business card marketing tools I’ve ever promoted.