I saw a statistic on a web site that said that 90% of business cards
get thrown away within 24hrs.  I need to know if that is true.  I want
the source of the statistic.  It has to be a reliable source.

Good day Nathan,


   The web site you saw that statistic on was probably
http://www.dvercity.com/book_business_cards.html. If not, then its an
additional URL. That site does seem to be a gimmick type of site, but
at the same time, some of the things mentioned there are questionable.
This automatically makes it unreliable.

   The claim that 90% of business cards get thrown away within 24
hours without a second glance cannot be generalized. That statement
can be applicable only to big industrialists in North America.

   But when you find out the value of business cards half way round
the globe, in Asia, business cards are very important in this region,
and an executive who admits that he has run out of cards is an
embarrassment to himself and others.  Business cards are treated with
great respect. To Asians especially, they reflect the dignity and
importance of a person and the person's organization.

   I stay in an Asian country and I can guarantee that the above is
true. I've dealt with many businessmen, and technical personnel. I
keep all my business cards, and so do my colleagues.

   A business card is considered to be very important, especially for
businessmen. I hope this answers your question. If you have any
clarifications, feel free to ask. If you're satisfied, so am I :-)

Have a good day.

Cheers,
aditya2k


Additional URL(s)

Don't Get Caught Without Business Cards
http://www.bsicorp.net/961014/bizcards.html


Search Keywords
business card importance
business card statistics
percent of business cards thrown
percent of business cards discarded
(and many more...)

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Request for Answer Clarification by nathancain-ga on 14 Jun 2002 12:09 PDT

I am really interested in the exact article that the Associated Press published.

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Clarification of Answer by aditya2k-ga on 15 Jun 2002 00:15 PDT

Umm...I haven't mentioned Associated Press anywhere in the answer

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Clarification of Answer by aditya2k-ga on 15 Jun 2002 00:21 PDT

I just scrolled down to the comments. I see you're referring to the
comment by morgan_mann.

Although it is up to him to answer it, I tried searching. However, I
landed up with :
Your search - "associated press" "business card thrown" percent - did
not match any documents

So, I guess AP never published such a thing.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by nathancain-ga on 18 Jun 2002 06:05 PDT

I would like my question to be reposted please.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by nathancain-ga on 17 Jul 2002 06:22 PDT

How can I get a refund?  I am not satisfied with this answer.

---

Clarification of Answer by aditya2k-ga on 22 Jul 2002 07:10 PDT

Hi nathan,

   Please keep in mind that you're paying for the answer. The comments
are additions. Refunds should be requested based on the answer, and
not comments made by someone else. There was no such article in
Associated Press.

Nevertheless, for a refund, you have to go to
https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=refundrequest

Good day,
aditya2k

---

Request for Answer Clarification by nathancain-ga on 22 Jul 2002 14:09 PDT

I tried to request a refund and it said that there are no refundable
answers with this ID.

I# 25823 

What can I do?

---

Clarification of Answer by aditya2k-ga on 22 Jul 2002 20:44 PDT

Please e-mail answers-editors@google.com They will give further assistance.

Hi Nathan,

I also found reference to this statistic at www.businesscarddesign.com
http://www.bizbooklets.com/

They are a vendor of business cards, and are trying to differentiate
theirs from the competition by offering a design service and
booklet/newsletter, implying that they can lengthen the life
expectancy of your business card. Their website says:

“Business cards are affordable, portable, versatile, and an expected
symbol of a legitimate business. Yet most business cards are thrown
away within 24 hours. Don't let that happen to yours. Get this
one-of-a-kind guide TODAY and create dynamite cards by TOMORROW.”

And, taking a different approach, if you’d like to be SURE that your
business card will disappear within 24 hours, send a chocolate
business card. Several vendors offer them.

Sweet Impressions
http://www.sweetimpressions.com/chocolate_bars.html

Sweet Affaires
http://www.sweetaffaires.com/

Images in Chocolate
http://www.gocandy.com/bizcards.html

Personally, I would solemly promise to commit to memory the business
information of anyone who gave me a chocolate business card!

Search criteria:
"business cards" 90 "24 hours"

Regards,

bethc-ga

Hi Beth,

One site says the percentage was attributed to the Associated Press.
The percentage has also been stated at between 80-90% in other
documents. It is a pretty generalized statistic.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Articles that state a % of business cards that are thrown away
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
90%
--From easyJet Inflight Magazine
http://www.easyjetinflight.com/features/2002/mar02/bus_cards.htm
   Found in the third paragraph.

--From DverCITY.com
http://www.dvercity.com/book_business_cards.html
   Found under the header: "Targeted Marketing Promotions" in the
"Business Card" paragraph.

80%
--From the National Association for the Self Employeed
http://www.nase.org/sea_janfeb02/feature2.asp
   Found in the first paragraph – it says the Associated Press came up
with the statistic.

------------------------------------------------------
Additional Articles that might be Helpful
------------------------------------------------------
TITLE: Business Cards
by 1099 - Independent Professionals
http://www.1099.com/c/ar/ta/businesscards_t010.html
--Why read it?
   Article on what business cards work best with examples, and why to
never leave home without them.
--Excerpt: 
   "...When you hear "Don't leave home without it," you probably think
of a little green credit card. If you're self-employed, though, you'd
better start thinking "business card" instead -- as in "my business
card."
   It might only measure two by three inches, but it can send a
message -- for better or worse. Some cards are tacky, others are
striking. Some breeds assault you with clashing colors and trite
phrases; others suggest good taste, sangfroid, confidence. Some are
uninspired and therefore uninspiring. So what should a business card
look like?..."

TITLE: Business Card Tips
by Iconxx.cc
http://iconix.cc/business_card_tips.htm
--Why read it?
   The article has tips on ways to keep your business card out of the
trash.
--Excerpt:
   "...Let's face it, we ALL know that sometimes (too often!) you give
someone one of your business cards, and it's never seen again ... it's
lost somewhere in the back of a drawer or the bottom of a purse. Maybe
it went immediately into the trash.
   When you're doing business, most prospective clients are in the
"What's in it for me?" frame of mind. Unless they need your business
or service right away, or your offer was so compelling that all other
competitors are no longer being considered, your contact information
(your card) may be seen as just another useless scrap of paper..."

I hope that helps.

I am really interested in the exact article that the Associated Press published.

According to this article:
http://www.nase.org/sea_janfeb02/feature2.asp
 the AP is attributed with the statement. I haven't been able to find
a specific article the author used for his/her research, but I have
emailed the AP editors and the author about their claim of the AP
stating "80% of business cards are thrown away. So, if I hear from
them with a source, I will post it.

-Morgan_Mann-ga

This article doesn't say that business cards are thrown way. It says
80% of news releases get thrown away.
http://www.nase.org/sea_janfeb02/feature2.asp

The article does say that it's press releases, my mistake. But I'll
keep looking for the statistic on business cards. :)