Make it a point to never leave your office or home without business cards. It doesn’t matter whether you will be in a business or personal setting. You never know who you will meet and when you will need to give your card to someone.
One way that you won’t forget is to always make sure to have cards in your pad folios, purses, cars, computer bags, business card holder, suits, desk, etc. Take the time to replenish all of your potential card locations.
The last thing you want to happen is to not have a card to give out. You should always be prepared. You don’t want people to think that you are not organized. Your professionalism is very important for your personal brand.
In today’s world, you need to be accessible so don’t worry about giving your card out. If you are not able to give your card out, then people can still contact you via sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook.
One important reason to have cards is so others can write notes on the back of the cards after they meet you. It is difficult to remember every conversation at an event so your cards are a great memory tool.
Also, your card is necessary for others to capture your information to be put into a contact database. Once this information is captured, your card is less important. Business cards a great tool for first encounters.
If you like this blog post, then subscribe via email or RSS feed.
Jacob,
I am continually astounded by the number of people I meet at networking events who not only don't have business cards on them, but also:
1) don't seem to concerned about it
and
2) don't have a backup plan (which should be to make an excuse and then ask for theirs so you can mail/drop off/email them your card).
To prevent this problem, I have stashes of business cards everywhere; car, purse, notebooks, office, home, spouse's wallet, etc.
Beth
Posted by: Beth Bridges | March 23, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Thanks Beth for your comments. I am also amazed at the number of people who I meet who either don't have cards or run out. If you are attending an event, then business cards should be one of the first things you should be ready with. Good for you for being prepared.
Posted by: Jason Jacobsohn | March 25, 2009 at 09:19 AM