I just started a new job and everyone at the networking event was handing out physical business cards. I thought we'd moved past this with LinkedIn and digital contact sharing, but apparently it's still expected in my industry.
I've noticed the same thing at library conferences and professional meetups - physical cards still stick around because they're tactile, they show you made the effort, and honestly most people still find them easier to reference than scrolling through LinkedIn messages later. Plus there's something about handing someone a card that makes an introduction feel more official and memorable than just connecting online.
People still use them because a card in someone's hand is harder to ignore than a LinkedIn connection request. When you hand over a physical card, there's a moment of attention - they have to hold it, read it, maybe comment on the design. With digital sharing, it's easy to accept and forget. The card sits on their desk or in their pocket as a reminder that you exist and what you do.
There's also something about the ritual itself. Exchanging cards is a formal acknowledgment that both people took the conversation seriously enough to document it. It signals respect and professionalism in a way that screen-tapping doesn't quite replicate. Different industries value this differently - some fields have moved past it entirely, but in others it's still woven into how people do business.
One pitfall I'd mention: don't assume having cards printed means you're done. The real mistake is printing cards you hate. I see people hand them over apologetically or with embarrassment because they didn't invest in decent design or they chose terrible paper stock. If everyone around you is handing out cards, yours will get judged against theirs. A well-designed card people actually want to keep is more useful than a mediocre one they toss. Take time with it - your industry clearly expects it, so make it count rather than just checking a box.
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