Both methods have a place. Facebook reaches a younger demographic who will find us online - actually a much larger audience than just the college crowd.
The hard cards will work because you can hold them, carry with you and keep them for later. There is a science to giveaways... any kind of takeaway that reminds you later how to find a company or an offer, is effective. The better the giveaway, the better chance people will keep it. Lightworks (y'know, Lightworks content on reeltime) gave me a small key chain light back in the mid 90's that I've kept for years and still use!
If you're given a pen with a company name on it, you may use it later and see the business name. If you're given a really cool pen, you will make sure you use it and will remember where you got it. If you get a piece of candy from a business (at a trade show, let's say), you may eat it but then will throw away the wrapper (which likely had the company name and website printed on it). If that same company gives away that same kind of candy at every single event where they exhibit, you are far more likely to remember them... and if they give away some really unique piece of candy (I used to giveaway chocolate poker chips and chocolate long stem roses)... I promise you they will find your booth at every trade show to get more -- and bring other customers with them to get some, too.
I think it's tempting to believe that because Reeltime is found online that online marketing is the best (some think the only) place to advertise and market... if that's the case, then we need to step up and start buying search terms, banner ads, etc... but we need to drive people to the web and to the website. In order to reach a broader audience we cannot ignore more traditional types of marketing. Handing out giveaways that have a 'call to action' on them will drive a huge number of people to the site later... that's what I mean when I say we have to ask them for the sale.
Marketing 101: People love to help. And they will... you just need to ask them.