Is beaming a business card acceptable? Do we sometimes ask for paper paper cards so we can easily toss them?

I'm a biased expert on the subject, as both inventor and CEO of rmbrME. :) The basic answer to this question is this: in over 1500 beams that I've sent in the last 6 months, I have never been refused. Nor have I ever received a "that's weird" response.

Most people respond positively with "that's cool" or "how does that work", and then they get excited at receiving my vCard sent directly to their Cell Phones|phone. The novelty factor will wear off (some day), but in the meantime, just using rmbrME (or our easy iPhone app - beamME) will make people remember you. The way I always do it is to offer folks my beamed card, and then give them the option of giving me their email or mobile number (beamME accepts either).

That way they can control which contact point they provide, and I get an important piece of data. With beamME for iPhone, I can even customize my greeting message on a per-send basis. While it will take a while to change this behavior, I can guarantee you that you can go paper card-free _right now_ if you want.

I have done it for the past 6 months, and I meet a lot of people. :) If you want to know more about beamME, you can visit our site (www.GETbeamME.com) or follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/beamMEpro.

People are too busy on their Computers|computer, and thing's get lost. I think business cards are the way to go, as people can carry them in their Wallets|wallet.

Would you rather: 1. Put your hand in your pocket, pull out a card, shake the guy's Hands|hand and smile. Or: 2.

Pull out your smartphone, ask him for his email address (or look at the paper card that he gave you), confirm the spelling of his email address, type it in, say "I'll beam you a card," explain what that means, and meanwhile he's standing there bored and unimpressed.

It depends on the culture. Eastern cultures value the exchange of business cards as, essentially, a handshake. You take the card, comment on something regarding it and then hold onto it; it's impolite to shove it in your wallet.So, if you deal alot in Asia, beaming while you can do it, probably isn't culturally acceptable.

I have been in the medical business for 30 years, even probably before business cards were around. But I will say that when I need to speak with a salesman or distributor, those cards really come in handy. I have found that if you can call directly for what you need or a concern, you get great service and you can depend on that person the next time a need arises.So I think business cards are very useful.

You are right that I'm one of those people that would politely take a card if you offered me one, even if I doubt I'd ever call you. Even if frankly, you are the last person on Earth I'd want to call. :) Often times all I really want, even if I actively ask for card, is your URL, so I can find out some more, before deciding if it's actually of any interest.

And I certainly don't want to hand my contact details to all and sundry that ask for them. Especially not my email address, as I hate spam. On top of that business cards are quite useful for communicating the identity of the business.

The design, logos, quality say a little bit about the business. So I wouldn't like to see paper cards replaced by virtual ones. And I would think you were rather geeky if you suggested that you wanted to send me one.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.