Business Cards - NEVER leave home without them!
A few years ago, I attended a professional organization's monthly dinner meeting. That month's presentation was on "Networking" by Tim Davis, and I ended up sitting next to him at dinner. We chatted a bit and he asked for one of my business cards. I said the all too common, "You know, I don't have any on me tonight". He was kind of surprised and said I should always make sure to have them with me. After dinner was over, Tim (also being a professional comedian) proceeded to get up and make fun everyone there that hadn't brought business cards with them. He did it to make a point - You should NEVER leave your house without business cards - and Tim was adamant about this. It didn't matter if you were leaving the house for a jog. The bottom line was - You just never know who you will meet when you go out each day; and if you don't give the people you meet a way to get in touch with you later on, you lose out on so many things (a possible friendship, job opportunity, client, etc.).
I have taken this lesson to heart and always make sure I have a few cards on me when I leave the house. I also try to tell everyone I meet that they HAVE to carry business cards on them at all times. Even if you're still in college, the same rules apply: NOW is the time to network, and you need business cards to do so. If you exchange business cards with the people you meet now, you will have a much easier time job finding jobs when you graduate!
If you're between jobs, you REALLY have no excuse not to have business cards on you. It's easier and more effective than carrying around copies of your resume, and it doesn't require a lot of effort. All you need are a few cards with your name, email address, and phone number (maybe even a link to your LinkedIn profile!). There are a number of online companies that can print a few hundred cards for less than $20 (Check out www.psprint.com or www.vistaprint.com).
My challenge is to you that if you have business cards, put an extra 10 or so into your purse or wallet TODAY. If you don't have cards, get some printed TODAY. Consistently practicing this tiny little habit will positively affect your life in a big way.
I have taken this lesson to heart and always make sure I have a few cards on me when I leave the house. I also try to tell everyone I meet that they HAVE to carry business cards on them at all times. Even if you're still in college, the same rules apply: NOW is the time to network, and you need business cards to do so. If you exchange business cards with the people you meet now, you will have a much easier time job finding jobs when you graduate!
If you're between jobs, you REALLY have no excuse not to have business cards on you. It's easier and more effective than carrying around copies of your resume, and it doesn't require a lot of effort. All you need are a few cards with your name, email address, and phone number (maybe even a link to your LinkedIn profile!). There are a number of online companies that can print a few hundred cards for less than $20 (Check out www.psprint.com or www.vistaprint.com).
My challenge is to you that if you have business cards, put an extra 10 or so into your purse or wallet TODAY. If you don't have cards, get some printed TODAY. Consistently practicing this tiny little habit will positively affect your life in a big way.
Do you know of any business card holders that can fit in my pocket and won't crinkle them like my wallet tends to do?
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You know, I don't know of any offhand. I use something ordinary I bought awhile back and keep in my purse. Maybe a google search on "business card holders" might do the trick?
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Googling it sounds like a good idea to me. Thanks!
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You make a great point and I myself have been guilty of leaving my business cards at home. I make it my business to do so from now on.
by the way keep it up.
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Hi, Erika - good advice. To build on this concept, I always carry a small notebook with me for writing down anything that comes up in conversation - names, dates, appointments, etc. I either buy one that has a small pocket, or simply tape a piece of paper on the inside cover to hold a few business cards. The result is small enough to fit discreetly in a coat pocket rather than a bulky notebook or folder.
Another approach is to consider adding small notes to your cards when you hand them out. Hopefully, a person is not simply handing out cards like flyers on the sidewalk. They should be a closing or "parting gift" after a brief conversation. Write something on the card to reflect or summarize this little chat. It may simply be a single word, or a handwritten phone number to personalize the message, but the point is to provide a memory trigger for the recipient when they look at the card a month later.
Keep the great advice!
Jason Burke, PE
pmug.wordpress.com
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