Business Cards And Little Programs – Kitchen Table Talks

In addition to not knowing what else to do at the end of a meeting, I think that we all want to feel memorable. Leaving our business card with someone gives us the illusion that we will be remembered and that we will have additional contact. I love your suggestion of hugging/shaking hands and then walking away. Wonder how hard it will be to actually do… but since business now truly is about building relationships, this kitchentabletalk challenges us to be “memorable” in new ways!

I like the concept of Hugs to share rather than cards. Working in the field of alternative health and energy this makes complete sense. It is so true that one looks for small experiences rather than those cards..

You are absolutely right chris. Great advise.

I thought the reason to pass out so many business cards was to get them down to a manageable amount. Normally they come in packs of 100 or more. And who really needs that many at one time..

Your ideas make sense though..

Chris:

I had a bit of a “yeah, but …” reaction to this. Now, I'm in a slightly different situation, (still) being in a long-time job search, so I don't have “business” business cards, but “networking” business cards to hand out. The cards I use have my “elevator speech” on the back of them, so they do provide a bit more context than the standard “name, rank & serial number”, with the intent that when the person goes through that stack of cards, they'll at least know exactly who I was and why I was there, and with the hope that this seed may sit in the back of their mind until a situation arises where a “need for a communications guy” might dredge up the recall of our meeting.

I don't think the handshake/hug (unless accompanied by a VERY memorable spiel) would serve this purpose.

Again, my intent (beyond the obvious hope that I might be talking to somebody who needs to hire a guy “just like me”!) is to get into the other person's mental databank, which is somewhat different than if my intent was finding a new customer for “Doohickies R Us” or “House of Fine Gaskets”.

As I'm very diligent on my card distribution, I have felt a bit like I've been “that guy” when seeing your “anti-business card” videos, but wonder that if there are situations (like mine) where it's not such an egregious faux pas.

- @BTRIPP

Point taken Chris!! and agree fully.

I save all business cards because I'm better at remembering word patterns than facial patterns. I organize the cards by event, rather than alphabetically. That helps me remember that hey, I met so and so at the Social Media AZ event, and THAT helps me remember the conversation. I like seeing how other people lay out their company/personal information and am always looking for better ideas.
I'm sure I don't travel as much as you, however, Chris, nor meet as many people, so I'll bet if I had to deal with new faces in the numbers you do I would quickly change my system.

Not a bad option. Thanks Dean!

Hi Brendan,
I'm obviously not Chris but I read your post and wanted to offer a suggestion or two.
I certainly agree that you should probably not limit your exposure when trying to find a job and therefore don't think that Brogan's post really applies to you. What you do need to make sure you do is maximize each interaction.
Here's a couple tactics I would consider when trying to separate yourself from the crowd:
1. If it's not there already you should put your photo on your business card. That way people will find it easier to remember who you are when they pick up your card a week or two after they met you. It also makes the recipient feel like they know you a little better than if they were just looking at a vaguely familiar name.

2. As you're meeting people in the field that you're seeking employment I would treat the interaction like a 90 sec coaching session (you're the coach). Come up with something that's new and relevant in the industry and use it as your verbal “white paper”. Offering them something of value or posing the right question can make your potential employer see value in you; not just another guy trying to get a job. The key is to get them to ask you for your business card. If they ask for it they want it (you) and your interview frequency should increase.

You can do this! Separate yourself from the crowd – provide value – get hired!

Great insight Chris. I visit Home Improvement trade shows locally every year, making and building some long term relationships with contractors, we still work with today. Some would not even think of calling anyone else, and I could never think of never working with them again. For me, business cards are still important today, always having some on my person, for those “Minute meetings” standing in line at the grocery store, along with passing out in proposal packets. I do see the reduction in amount used in years past, to current though. Reason: my web presents acts as one big card. Making even a fatter one, is to make a personal video as I've just seen above, with yours. Buying less and less bc each year, building web presents more and more, physical cards still have their place.

You are in a much different position than many of us are. You have so many contacts and followers that you need to be very selective. You cannot deal with shoe boxes full of cards. However, many of us are not there yet.

I value almost every business card I get. I use them to follow up on LinkedIn, or Twitter, or I just save for future reference in the event I need the services at some point.

I think it is just a matter of a different perspective. And, if meeting new people is easier with business cards, why not? It's all about making people feel comfortable interacting in sometime uncomfortable situations.

Hey there Chris,

When I meet someone new, I'm always looking to hear more about what they do. If they ask what I do, great, but I'm fascinated by what drives others and to hear about their passion. And when I feel a connection with someone, the last thing I do is ask them for their business card instead of offering them mine. I think it makes them feel that the time they just spent with me and the conversation we just had was worth their time…and it makes them feel validated is some funny, silly kind of human way.

And I always make sure to make notes on the card right away to that I can reflect on who they are when I look back at the card. Otherwise, I end up with a stack of meaningless cards rather than memories of a great conversation with a great human being :-)

What I take away from this is that we should use our business cards consciously (not reflexively) and that they may not be suited to all situations. I agree. I was at a conference earlier in the week where I found myself using my business cards as a part of my brief self-introduction to people I wanted to develop business relationships with – mainly as a way of giving them a second medium to learn my name and my organization. As someone who almost instantly forgets the names of people I meet, I find it helpful to receive a business card as a reference I can look at even while we are talking; my cards were offered in the same spirit. That said, I met lots of other people, especially those I had already developed virtual relationships with, where the connection was more personal and a business card would have felt inappropriate and unnecessary. It's always a judgment call for me, as I guess most things are.

That spoof video was incredibly funny. You are cute too Steve! Are you also a double tapper with your business cards?

Until we have a seamless integration of contact data form any mobile device to device we are stuck with the business card metaphor. I believe that you can't go too crazy on the business card design but the idea of having a follow up to-do action triggered by the card is interesting.

Having the card have like a download link to a document that you keep updating with credentials or cases, or having a code to enter at a website where you can connect on a different way can be great ways to keep the card alive after the connection event.

You can now add the QR code to your Blackberry Messenger id, so they can add you in a snap.

@pedroramirez

I think it all comes down to knowing who you're talking with and building some sort of connection there, something that will help you be remembered to the other person. You of course don't want to randomly hand business cards out Chris, you want to hopefully have some sort of connection, that way when they look at your business card at a later time, they'll remember who they talked to and what you do.

Too many people are boring and absolutely horrible at networking. Just have a good conversation. It doesn't have to be all about business and this and that. Eventually get into that but do your best to be the party person, not the party pooper….THEN hand out your business card.

One of the worst things is coming out of these events with a pile of cards… trying to remember how you got it and who gave it to you then feeling compelled to log them – hours of work for very little ROI. Chris – thanks once again for making us take a look at our “little programs” (love this phrase) and helping us focus on productive activities.

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Excellent, Chris!

Chris- Your point is 100% correct if you are Chris Brogan, as you meet a ton of people and have a lot of folks wanting to be in your orbit. But this theory does not work for everyone. First, sometimes when you meet the first time you cannot figure out where the relationship will go, so you need to follow up and explore. Second, since not everyone watches your videos, if you might be encouraging people to be rude. If someone asks for a card at an event and someone says “NO, we really do not have a reason to stay in touch” (I do not mean by saying these words, that would be rude no matter what)… it could offend. Third, I have had tons of experiences where I followed up with people that one could not see the connection who later became someone more meaningful in my life (for business or just being a friend).

I do agree with your premise that there are things in our life we do “because” and challenging the “norms” is important. But to say “It is wrong because we have always done it this way” is just as bad as saying “It is right because we have always done it this way”. This is one that I believe still is important even in a busy and digital world. Having a card and providing it when asked makes it easier and more comfortable for the OTHER person. Cards are not about you, it is about THEM. Making people hunt you down on the internet (or even remember your name an hour later) is telling them to do the work.

I think your point is great for people who meet tons of people, ect… but for most people I suggest they carry cards and exchange them freely and then make sure they “own the follow up” and reach out to those they want to reach out to. BUT, do it quickly, as a follow up in a few days can lead advancing a relationship, but if you wait to long you might as well never have even met.

thom

Again, Another great Kitchen Table Talk. My wife and I have business cards but rarely pass them out. Partly because we forget partly because I hate to bombard people with our card. It is nice to exchange cards if it is the first time I am ever meeting that person.

Good post that I totally agree with. A couple of Carolyn's Cardinal Rules of Networking: 1) Only give your card to someone who asks for it. 2) It's the cards you get that count – not the ones you give (because you are then in charge of the follow-up).

Yes that's true.Earlier when i started my sales business,I was told to give my card to anyone and one day my colleague told me that never give your business cards to anyone as its a waste of money.Just give them who asks for it.What you have said is absolutely true Chris and now i m doing like this only.
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