Why Business Cards Don’t Work Anymore (and What to Do Instead to Get Coaching Clients)
Are you still carrying a stack of business cards like it’s 1995?
If you’re a coach trying to grow your business, hear me out: handing out business cards is not the connection strategy you think it is.
They’re outdated, ineffective, and (let’s be honest) most of them end up in the trash before the day is over.
In this article, we’re going to talk about what actually builds meaningful connections that lead to paying clients — both online and in person.
Whether you’re attending your next networking event or scrolling through virtual communities, you’ll walk away with smarter, simpler ways to get remembered and followed up with.
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The Harsh Truth About Business Cards
We’ve all been there.
You walk into a networking event, stack of glossy business cards in hand — ready to “make connections.” You chat with someone new, exchange a few pleasantries, hand over your beautifully designed card… and within seconds, it’s tucked into their bag, never to be seen again.
What if that’s exactly what happens to your card — the one you spent hours perfecting on Canva, obsessing over the right font, and dropping a small fortune to print on premium paper?
That tiny rectangle of cardstock almost never turns into real conversations, real relationships, or real clients.
At best, it sits in a pile on someone’s desk for a few days before being forgotten.
At worst, it ends up in the recycling bin by the end of the event.
And yet, so many coaches cling to the ritual because it feels professional. It feels like what we’re “supposed” to do when we’re building a business.
You tell yourself, This is networking. This is visibility.
But in reality? It’s an illusion of connection — a passive, outdated marketing habit that doesn’t match how modern relationships or business-building actually work anymore.
Because visibility today isn’t about paper — it’s about presence.
It’s about creating meaningful, memorable exchanges that leave people thinking,
“I need to talk to her again.”
So if you’ve been depending on business cards to do your networking for you, it’s time for a mindset shift.
Let’s talk about what’s really happening beneath the surface — and what to do instead to make your visibility efforts actually pay off.
1. Business Cards Are Passive
Handing someone a card feels like taking action — but it’s not. It’s a passive exchange that puts all the follow-up responsibility on the other person.
You might collect dozens of cards at an event, but by the time you get home, you’re tired and overwhelmed. Are you really going to reach out to everyone? Probably not.
We’re not in the Rolodex era anymore. We’re in the digital age — and there’s a better, more intentional way to connect.
2. People Forget Who You Are
Unless your card has your photo on it (not just your logo), people won’t remember who you are. Even if they do remember, they might not remember why they connected with you.
Here’s what happens: They get home, look at a pile of cards, and think, “Who was Michelle again? Was she the confidence coach or the copywriter?”
If your face and message aren’t memorable, your card isn’t either.
3. They Get Lost (or Tossed)
Let’s be honest — most business cards don’t survive the week.
They get shoved into purses, pockets, or desk drawers and never see daylight again. And if someone does find it months later, they might have forgotten your conversation or your business might have already changed.
That’s not connection. That’s clutter.
4. They Don’t Spark Real Conversations
Passing out business cards is like handing out flyers — it doesn’t create engagement. What people remember is you, not your logo or layout.
Conversations build connection. Moments of resonance — a shared story, a meaningful question, an insight that made them pause — that’s what sticks.
What Should You Do Instead?
So if business cards aren’t the move… what should you do instead?
Short answer? Start real conversations.
But I get it — if you’re an introvert (like me), that can sound a little terrifying. Small talk isn’t your love language, and walking up to strangers at events might make you want to hide behind the snack table.
Here’s the good news: meaningful connection doesn’t require being the loudest person in the room. It just requires being intentional.
Here are three simple ways to make genuine, memorable connections — the kind that actually lead to paying clients (without feeling awkward or salesy).
1. Lead with a Clear Introduction
Instead of handing someone a card and hoping they remember, lead with clarity.
Have a one-line introduction ready that says who you help, what you help them do, and why it matters.
Example:
“I help female coaches who are struggling to get clients build a simple marketing system that actually works.”
That one line gives people context. They instantly know what you do — and more importantly, who you do it for.
💡 Pro tip: If you still use paper cards, add your photo and your one-liner. Ditch the logo. People remember faces, not fonts.
2. Create Connection, Not Just Contact
When networking, start with curiosity, not credentials.
Ask questions like:
“What brought you to this event?”
“What kind of clients do you love working with?”
“What’s one big goal you’re working on this year?”
These questions spark real conversations. And when you listen deeply, you’ll know exactly how to follow up with value later.
3. Offer a Quick Value Follow-Up
Here’s the secret to turning a casual connection into a real relationship: follow up with value.
Let’s say you had a great chat with someone about staying organized as a coach. You could say:
“I actually have a free guide that helps coaches stay focused and attract clients. Would you like me to text or email it to you?”
That creates a genuine exchange — not a transaction. You’ve given them something useful, built trust, and now you’re in their inbox instead of a pile of paper.
You can even make this smoother by using a digital business card app like Blinq. It lets you share your contact info instantly, add notes about where you met, and save new contacts straight to your phone.
No more lost cards. No more awkward “who was that again?” moments.
Show Up With Intention
Before your next networking event, ask yourself:
What do I want to walk away with?
Am I looking for referrals? Collaborations? Clients?
How do I plan to follow up afterward?
Your goal isn’t to hand out the most cards. It’s to make the most memorable connections.
Follow up within 24–48 hours. Send a thank-you note, a voice message, or even invite them to a coffee chat. That’s how relationships — and referrals — are built.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need another business card. You need a visibility plan — one that helps you build authentic relationships and attract consistent clients.
And that’s exactly what my free guide is designed to help you do.
📘 The Coaching Biz Starter for Female Life Coaches: The 7-Step Checklist to Build a Coaching Biz That Gets Clients
Inside, you’ll discover:
A simple roadmap showing what every profitable coaching business needs (and where you might be missing the mark)
Clarity on what to fix now to attract your first or next client
A practical way to create a system that actually works — without the overwhelm
👉 Download it here — it’s free.
Because your next client won’t come from a business card. They’ll come from connection.
