There’s an etiquette to using a business card when networking. Don’t mess it up!
Suppose you were out having lunch with a new business acquaintance and when your food was delivered to the table, your lunch partner reached over with her hand and sampled your meal. What would you think? That they were rude – lacking proper social etiquette, right? You’d be offended and probably lose your appetite. Besides ranking their social grace at zero, you’d also seriously question their professional competence as well.
The example I shared above is extreme. But here’s the point:
All it takes is one wrong move to jeopardize your professional image. At live networking events, where you only have 30 seconds to make a good first impression, you cannot afford to make the wrong move. Regardless of how shallow it may seem, the world first judges us on how we appear. It’s more than looks and clothes – it’s demeanor, presence, body language, how confident you appear engaging with others. And all of that can be picked up in a first glance or notice, or with the first handshake.
So let’s say you are dressed well, your confidence is high and your body language is clearly communicating that you are a person worth knowing. You’re 50% there. I’ve seen well dressed people still leave a bad impression (even if the first one was good) because of bad networking etiquette. Some of the worst mistakes I see at networking events are people not understanding how to use their business card. Here are a few tips on what to do and what not to do with your business card at networking events.
Rule #1: Keep your business card to yourself. DO NOT hand out your business card to everyone you see as if you are passing out $20 bills. Have you ever had someone come up to you while you are talking to someone else and slip a business card in your hand and keep moving. Not only is it distracting, especially if the two people are making a great connection, it is also annoying. It’s the equivalent to receiving junk mail at your house. Unless you asked for information about the Tremble 3500 vacuum cleaner, chances are you are not going to joyfully read the advertisement that came in the mail – especially if you are as busy as most of us are.
You ask: But shouldn’t the goal be to get my name and contact info in front of as many people as possible?
Answer: Yes, and that is what advertising is for. Get a billboard, take out an ad, get a web page. Do not fool yourself into thinking that you successfully networked with a hundred people because you handed out a hundred business cards.
One of the goals of networking is to identify qualified leads, potential employers or referral sources. That doesn’t mean that you don’t meet and talk to people outside of those targets. But it does mean you are selective about who you choose to exchange information with.
Rule #2: Give your business card to someone when they ask for it. If I am interested in connecting with someone beyond an event, I will ask for a way to contact them. Notice that I did not say I will give them my card or give them my contact information. Why? If I give them my card, I have no control over whether they will contact me or not. If I get their information I have access to follow up with a phone call, via email, or by connecting through their website. Passing out my card to 20 people does not mean that I will get 20 calls. But acquiring contact information of 20 people guarantees that I will have 20 people to add to my follow-up list.
Quick Tip: When someone ask for your business card, write a note on the back of it before you hand it over. It could be a note about what you talked about, a reminder about why they asked for your information. Something that jogs their memory as they go through the sea of cards they have in their collection.
Rule #3: Don’t waste contact information. Why take someone’s card if you are not going to follow up. Send an email. Make a quick call. Send them a physical card. But do something to capitalize on the meeting. This doesn’t have to be complicated. You could send out an email blast, blind carbon copy (BCC) only, giving your contacts an update on what you are doing. This goes for entrepreneurs and careerist. Entrepreneurs can send updates about new products or developments in their business. Professionals can send out industry relevant information and tips.
You ask: But can’t I just keep the card in case I need the service later?
Answer: Yes you can. But it seems more likely and more wise that if you needed a service from someone you didn’t already have in your network that you would ask someone you know for a referral rather than choosing a random card from your stack. Don’t make the assumption that just because you have their card, that the business or individual is a part of your network – especially if you have no experience with the quality of their work. One of the quickest ways to ruin your reputation is to make bad referrals.
The take away:
- Keep your business card to yourself until someone asks for it.
- Only ask for cards or contact information for people you intend to follow up with.
- Make the most of your networking by regularly connecting with your contacts.
Happy networking!
Tai Goodwin is a career and business coach who specifically works with professionals who are launching a business while working full-time.
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12 Comments
There are few things I hate more at networking events than being handed a business card I do not want and certainly did not ask for. These types of cards go straight in the bin because, as you rightly point out, they are very much like unsolicited junk mail.
I only give my card when requested and I only ask for a person’s card if I intend to use it – this is usually as a follow on from talking to them first and establishing a mutual interest in staying connected.
On another note, I strongly recommend investing the necessary funds to get a well-designed, nicely printed card – I find the quality of your card really says a lot about you as a business or an individual. Shallow maybe, but it’s all part of selling yourself and/or your brand so for that reason it’s worth the extra pennies.
The author forgot to mention that when receiving a business card, it is polite to take a moment to READ it. Simply shoving it into a pocket is rude. Show the person who handed you a card that you take them seriously and have some respect for their position.
Good tips, Tai
I only recently realised that some cultures can be offended by giving them business cards in the wrong way, and that apparently in Japan if someone gives you a business card and you put it straight in your pocket it’s a sign of disrespect.
This one is truly looking just awesome post about business cards. As we all know that business card is the first stage of the effective marketing. And this one is really playing the effective role behind the superb business strategic. As the existing 3 rules are really looking just unique and creative. Thanks for sharing some incredible thing about it.
Thanks this was a good read, and useful points.
Good points to remind us of the essentials of good business etiquette for every one. I’m not sure an email to people I’ve just met that is all about me is a good way to start building a relationship but that’s just me. And always remember to ask how you can be of assistance to them as well.
Good advice – thank you. But I have a question: is it appropriate to request a connection via Linkedin as an alternative to Rule #3?
Great advice on business card etiquette! When I am interested in following up with someone I always take it upon myself to make the connection. I give them my card (even if they did not ask for it) as the first touch point. When they receive my follow up email they tend to remember me better since it is the second touch point. Your suggestion of writing a note on the card I hand to them is excellent!
This is such a great topic for people who know the importance of and want to make the most out of their “networking”. Gathering the most cards and spamming people after the fact is NOT going to build any relations, except in cyber jail. There are no networking police, so we make our own etiquette rules, and we all try to be respectful of them. Giving out or receiving business cards should only take place after a “personal connection”is made and there is a natural wanting to know more about who someone is and what they do. Thanks, this is a touchy point with me.
Great points! I would like to add a side note concerning business cards. I have noticed other ways many job seekers and professionals give a bad first impression, even when the card is requested.
The card may have outdated info on it. For example, I've followed all the 3 rules of business card etiquette only to later be shot down when the contact uses a phone number that's no longer in service. What about the email address change I made but forgot to add to my card.
Is my website url or blog (if any) correctly printed? Overlooking these business card issues can leave a bad taste in the contacts mouth too.
Great article. When someone hands me their business card following a conversation, I usually take that as a signal to hand out my card — most times without their asking for it first. When attending an event, I'll have a set of cards with a brief note pre-written on the back — “Enjoyed seeing you at the Chamber event on September 30th” — to help remind them and give them perspective on the card later.
I agree, there are some really bad rule breakers out there. However, perhaps your advice is a bit too conservative. Perhaps somewhere in the middle is more appropriate in today's world. So, I've revised your three rules a bit:
1) Offer your card and ask if they would like to take it.
2) Ask for or accept cards from those you intend to add to your network.
3) Establish, in advance, what your personal rules are for distributing your cards and follow those rules!
Think and act carefully.