Who Still Uses Business Cards? (Seriously, Who?)
Generated by Jeff Nelson using ChatGPT
There was a time (read: 2010) when business cards were currency. You'd go to a networking event, collect a stack, and feel like you'd accomplished something.
A printed rectangle with your name and number was your golden ticket to follow-up meetings, deals, and job offers.
Fast-forward to 2025, and handing someone a business card is like offering them a fax number. It’s charming. It’s nostalgic. And it’s completely unnecessary.
So, what happened?
The world moved on. Here’s how:
1. LinkedIn Became the Universal Rolodex
If you want to be found, you need to be on LinkedIn.
If you’re not on LinkedIn, the unspoken assumption is you don’t want to be found.
Everyone from interns to CEOs has a profile. It's searchable, it's scannable, and (bonus) it updates itself without needing to reprint anything.
Pro Tip: LinkedIn now has QR codes built into its mobile app. Two phones, one scan, instant connection. No paper, no awkward fumbling, no typos.
2. QR Codes Made a Comeback
QR codes used to be a passing fad, but now they’re mainstream.
Your LinkedIn, digital portfolio, vCard, or even Calendly link can be stored in a QR code on your phone, smartwatch, or badge.
Want to connect? Just scan and go. It’s the new handshake.
Generated by Jeff Nelson using ChatGPT
3. Google (Still) Works, But Barely
See: Google is Dead
4. AI Will Find You Anyway
Whether it’s ChatGPT, Perplexity, or some other AI assistant, people now ask machines to find the right person for a job, task, or connection.
And AI doesn’t need a business card; it just needs data.
If you’re active online, contributing to conversations, and showing up in the right places, AI will find you before a human even opens their wallet.
What You Need Instead of a Business Card
A well-optimized LinkedIn profile (with a photo that doesn’t look like it was taken in 2004)
A personal website or digital portfolio
A QR code on your phone linked to your professional presence
An actual online presence (comments, posts, articles, or something that shows you're real and relevant)
The Final Nail in the Cardboard Coffin
Business cards were built for a slower world.
A world without real-time connection, without search, without smart devices.
In today’s market, being findable is more important than being printed on 14pt gloss stock.
So next time someone hands you a business card, smile politely.
Then connect on LinkedIn like a normal person.