I'm surprised "Bat-signal" didn't make an appearance on this list.
Steve
· 6 months ago
Check out http://www.mycontactcard.com/ We are a rich media email signature/business card company that offers a unique way to simplify your online life using everyday email. We offer solutions for personal, small business and enterprise professional.
Very soon we will be launching a Plug-in that is compatible with every major email platform, making the product even easier to use.
There is one other idea you forgot to mention, and that is the new .tel domain (telnic.org). I have been using that and I just give out that domain for people to contact me. I can then share that domain however I need to. (Written, SMS, link from another website, email signature etc). I have used Chi.mp as well and I love it for bringing together all my information.
Arseny Lebedev
· 6 months ago
beamme is awesome!
Chris
· 6 months ago
I just learned about Bump, www.bumptechnologies.com -- tap your iPhone against someone else's iPhone and you can pass your contact info to them. The Bump guys are working on other kinds of information transfer too.
Start Poken
· 6 months ago
Don't forget about Poken, the most prolific product in this segment so far. www.startpoken.com
What about http://spartx.com it is a one stop shop for business cards. You design a virtual business card that can be exchanged freely throughout the internet and then you have access to print that virtual business card and exchange it freely in the real world. It also has a virtual rolodex to manage your contacts. Well i hope everyone has a fantastic day.
Cheers,
Steve
BCE
· 6 months ago
Using plastic business cards is a 9th way :P For example transparent ones like these: http://businesscardsexpress.wordpress.com/busin... Seriously, I too think that people will still use real business cards for a long time, as only these can transport a CI. Business cards are not only about contact data, but also about the visual impact. However, here's another way to recycle your "old" business cards: donate them to the guys at http://www.businesscardhats.com/ :)
Michael Bauser
· 5 months ago
I don't see how making the card out of plastic is an improvement. Are you having trouble with card biodegrading before you're done with them?
Andrew Warner
· 6 months ago
Great piece Josh. I can't stand paper cards.
When I meet someone, I try to just send them an email with all my info straight from my iPhone.
I also I bought an account at CloudContacts to digitize the paper I get.
P Josed
· 6 months ago
My Name is E also allows you to publish a 'vanity' card, check out http://www.mynameise.com/werner or http://www.mynameise.com/nalden for example. Their upcoming iPhone app also looks pretty cool. What's not mentioned in the article is that it works on any mobile phone with an internet connection.
I have a Poken, and tried to use it at networking opportunities. My first problem is that the product design is horrible, the battery is removable (you need to crack it open to replace it) and their "webservice" is really terrible. Looks and behaves like something from before the bubble. Other problem is that it's 64-bit encryption apparently is very insecure, and I can't get my peers to start using it.
Poken Users
· 5 months ago
My Name is E last only 72 hours (maybe), and takes 2 hours to charge, very inconvenient. And expensive. The Poken last for at least 6 months. putting a new watch battery in it, is not a big problem. And it's only 19.95, you could buy a new one for that price. As for more security, it is secure enough for now, I think there are about a million poken users, and I haven't heard any stories about black helicopters swooping in to take over their Poken accounts. It's a contact management system, what could possibly happen? iPhone apps take too long, doesn't fit most demographics.
العاب شمس
· 6 months ago
Yeah! these tricks are vey helpful in getting rid of all those piles of paper.
So far I have only played wih one or two of these, but now there are some new alternatives to check out. Thanks.
Anxuna
· 6 months ago
Poken is the best solution
Miguel Armaza
· 6 months ago
What about QR Codes??? How is it possible that you forgot about them?! Best way create a paperless business card!
sliackymartin
· 6 months ago
poken or E
thom singer
· 6 months ago
The one thing to remember is that if you are doing away with business cards for REAL reasons, that is great. If you are doing it cuz it seems trendy and cool, that is lame.
When networking, you want to make it easy for the other person to remember you and find you later. If you don't carry cards and thus the other person need to hunt for your information later.... you will miss opportunities (sorry, many people will not put in the effort to find you, they will just turn to you competitor if they made it easier for them).
Many folks are thinking it is very cool to say "I dont carry business cards". They have lots of reason: environement (I believe them if they drive a Prius and buy carbon credits), or just that it is fun to say that cards are "so yesterday". But the idea in networking is to make connections that can lead to mutually beneficial relationships. Meeting someone on time does NOT make them part of your network. Meeting them once makes them a stranger who you once met.
If you have a great system to always follow up and get your info to the other person, great - do it all day long. I by no means think that business cards the only way. But they do serve a purpose of getting both parties the necessary contact information to follow up later. But if neither person has a card, how will you do it? Not having a card could lead to a missed opportunity. While it is fun to be trendy, actually doing things that lead to mutually beneficial opportunities (by which I mean: business, jobs, deals, money, etc...) is more cool.
I recommend recycled paper for card, as the enviroment matters. But I am not convinced that business cards are really a HUGE problem in ruining the future of the planet (anyone know how many tree it takes to supply the world in business cards??? Maybe it is significant!).
Paperless is great, but never forget the visuals. Just because it's digital doesn't mean it has to be ugly. It can still look and feel fun!
ETeja
· 6 months ago
This topic and attitude are a bit ironic given that your key advertiser at the top of the page is Vistaprint. Should we forward them a copy for you or will you do that yourself.
thom singer
· 6 months ago
Classic that VistaPrint is a sponsor. he he.
alex
· 6 months ago
I really enjoyed reading this - Thank you! I signed up for contxts and immediately started sending my info around. A few hours later, I began to worry about privacy. What happens to your information when listed with this or any other companies in your article? How do they make money? Am I headed for a world of spam and telemarketing? Just wondering... Any further information you can look into is much appreciated!
Hm, I can think of no faster way to forget someone than to have their info electronically submitted to me. There's zero visual recognition and can easily get lost in the e-mail shuffle. Just my opinion :)
Chris Hopkinson
· 5 months ago
Hey Josh - thanks for checking out DUB. We're excited to see so many people using the service. Stay tuned for new features like; ability to send LinkedIn and Facebook invites, photos, fields for Twitter, Facebook, blog and check out our video below. Cheers! https://www.dubmenow.com/dubtour Chris Hopkinson DubMeNow www.dubmenow.com chris@dubmenow.com
Sam Ragnarsson
· 5 months ago
Poken is the deal!
MartinRuiz
· 5 months ago
If you use GMail, you can use a "Canned Response".
Set up a filter like:
Matches: to:gmailid+card@gmail.com Do this: Star it, Apply new label "New Contact", Send canned response "Business Card"
The "+card" with your gmailid is important for your filter.
Guillaume
· 5 months ago
Why not mentioning Poken and twtbizcard?? Find they are pretty good solutions!
Mark Kolb
· 5 months ago
Go green and save a tree with a virtual .TEL business card image created at http://www.bizcards.tel - TEL is where your name is your domain.
Thomas Sebastiani
· 5 months ago
I use Retaggr, it offers many different formats, and it looks very presentable.
Nick
· 5 months ago
Like some said before, Pokens are the deal! I bought one at the re:publica in Berlin this year and it was great to see how is you come in touch with other people just by having them. Everybody wanted to give high five ;) The price is OK (15 €) if they are not given away for free and they are much more sustainable than buisness cards. If you interested in them, we're currently giving some away here: http://www.minispace.com/en_us/article/trend-re...
Very helpful post. Thanks for putting this altogether. I love using virtual tools for business and personal life, and this list definitely helps. Great collection of sites.
Kaizen Print & Marketing
· 5 months ago
great round up of the virtual business cards out there. Didnt know half of these applications existed so it'll be a great help.
Thanks
Kaizen Print
Kaizen Print & Marketing
· 5 months ago
great round up of the virtual business cards out there. Didnt know half of these applications existed so it'll be a great help. Agree with an above poster though that design is still important. Business cards whether virtual or printed are one of the most effective marketing tools businesses have. And they're often the cheapest.
Thanks for the great topic
Kaizen Print
Kaizen Print & Marketing
· 5 months ago
great round up of the virtual business cards out there. Didnt know half of these applications existed so it'll be a great help.
Thanks
Kaizen Print
avistaholdings.com
· 5 months ago
a great list of blogs .
acertar.net
· 5 months ago
Thanks for listing. The location based lists are actually great as well.
Shahab khan
· 5 months ago
Great list of apps, specially TwtBizCard.
Cole
· 5 months ago
Good article. I started work last year on tinyadr.com (http://tinyadr.com/) which is aimed at addressing this problem - essentially a tinyurl for address/contact details. At the moment it is aimed at sharing contact details into your client of choice (phone, email client, etc) through the use of microformats but has lots of potential to disseminate information in a range of formats.
Cole
homepage
· 5 months ago
Contxts seems very cool.
aace
· 5 months ago
Who would have thought about social profiles being used as business cards? I never thought of it that way until now.
Amit Cohen
· 5 months ago
Great post Thanks for all the info and links.
All the best Amit
RecruiterGuy
· 5 months ago
I've been paperless so far this year - and applications/tools like above really help to make that possible. In some cases it's been more difficult than others but hands down there just isn't an excuse to still be using paper business cards any longer.
For what it's worth I'm using both BeamMe Pro and BeamMe CV on my iPhone. They not only fit the bill but are great conversation items.
Guys who are not so interested in sharing contacts through social networks I suggest www.thebcard.com I looks like a real business card, but it's online.
Jen Ohs
· 4 months ago
There is also a fairly new application out called DubMeNow. The service automatically updates your contact list and is fairly easy to use. I attended their launch party in DC and was impressed with where they were going. We'll see where they end up.
Amit Cohen
· 4 months ago
Hi The issues you are talking about here are interesting & important, Thank you and good luck with your blog.
There is this other service that I have been using for over a year now and they have are about to release an SMS integration with the entire service in one package deal.
All Comments
Very soon we will be launching a Plug-in that is compatible with every major email platform, making the product even easier to use.
Check us out @ http://www.mycontactcard.com/ and tell us what you think!
Cheers,
Steve
Seriously, I too think that people will still use real business cards for a long time, as only these can transport a CI. Business cards are not only about contact data, but also about the visual impact.
However, here's another way to recycle your "old" business cards: donate them to the guys at http://www.businesscardhats.com/ :)
When I meet someone, I try to just send them an email with all my info straight from my iPhone.
I also I bought an account at CloudContacts to digitize the paper I get.
I have a Poken, and tried to use it at networking opportunities. My first problem is that the product design is horrible, the battery is removable (you need to crack it open to replace it) and their "webservice" is really terrible. Looks and behaves like something from before the bubble. Other problem is that it's 64-bit encryption apparently is very insecure, and I can't get my peers to start using it.
When networking, you want to make it easy for the other person to remember you and find you later. If you don't carry cards and thus the other person need to hunt for your information later.... you will miss opportunities (sorry, many people will not put in the effort to find you, they will just turn to you competitor if they made it easier for them).
Many folks are thinking it is very cool to say "I dont carry business cards". They have lots of reason: environement (I believe them if they drive a Prius and buy carbon credits), or just that it is fun to say that cards are "so yesterday". But the idea in networking is to make connections that can lead to mutually beneficial relationships. Meeting someone on time does NOT make them part of your network. Meeting them once makes them a stranger who you once met.
If you have a great system to always follow up and get your info to the other person, great - do it all day long. I by no means think that business cards the only way. But they do serve a purpose of getting both parties the necessary contact information to follow up later. But if neither person has a card, how will you do it? Not having a card could lead to a missed opportunity. While it is fun to be trendy, actually doing things that lead to mutually beneficial opportunities (by which I mean: business, jobs, deals, money, etc...) is more cool.
I recommend recycled paper for card, as the enviroment matters. But I am not convinced that business cards are really a HUGE problem in ruining the future of the planet (anyone know how many tree it takes to supply the world in business cards??? Maybe it is significant!).
thom singer
www.thomsinger.com
https://www.dubmenow.com/dubtour
Chris Hopkinson
DubMeNow
www.dubmenow.com
chris@dubmenow.com
Set up a filter like:
Matches: to:gmailid+card@gmail.com
Do this: Star it, Apply new label "New Contact", Send canned response "Business Card"
Tell your new contacts to send you an email at gmailid+card@gmail.com
The "+card" with your gmailid is important for your filter.
The price is OK (15 €) if they are not given away for free and they are much more sustainable than buisness cards.
If you interested in them, we're currently giving some away here: http://www.minispace.com/en_us/article/trend-re...
Ali Magnano
www.whywebpr.blogspot.com
Thanks
Kaizen Print
Thanks for the great topic
Kaizen Print
Thanks
Kaizen Print
I started work last year on tinyadr.com (http://tinyadr.com/) which is aimed at addressing this problem - essentially a tinyurl for address/contact details.
At the moment it is aimed at sharing contact details into your client of choice (phone, email client, etc) through the use of microformats but has lots of potential to disseminate information in a range of formats.
Cole
Thanks for all the info and links.
All the best
Amit
For what it's worth I'm using both BeamMe Pro and BeamMe CV on my iPhone. They not only fit the bill but are great conversation items.
Chris Hoyt
aka: RecruiterGuy
www.RecruiterGuy.net
I looks like a real business card, but it's online.
The issues you are talking about here are interesting & important,
Thank you and good luck with your blog.
http://biz.clush.com/ToddDiRoberto
attainresponse.com
So basically imagine DUB meets Mailchimp. They have combined SMS and Email marketing with mobile applications for e-business cards, brochures etc.
www.contentunltd.com