I ran out of business cards about a year ago, and I haven’t reordered them since.
It’s not because I didn’t hand out my business cards. I did. I gave them out every time I was asked for one. I even put a small stack in the pocket of every coat and backpack I owned. I was always prepared.
But after years of giving out hundreds and hundreds of business cards I realized something: Business cards aren’t communication tools, they’re communication wishes.
When you give somebody a business card and part ways you have absolutely no control what they do with that business card. You don’t know if they will throw it out, accidentally lose it, or remember to reference it later on. Ultimately you have zero control over whether or not you will speak to that person ever again.
Business cards might be a way to make a great first impression, but there are better ways to make a lasting one.
Even while I was still handing out business cards, I quickly realized how important it was to ask for the contact information of the person I was speaking with. After too many positive in-person interactions where I never heard from that person after our meeting, I learned the importance of follow through.
Now when somebody asks me for my business card, I tell them I don’t have one on me. (I also don’t have any at home, but I don’t go into that.) Then I ask them for their card, and if they don’t have one I take out my phone and have them type their email or contact information into an Evernote. Then I look at it, read it back to them, and then sync the note. This way, I can make sure I didn’t transcribe their email incorrectly and that I already have a backup of it online in case my phone gets eaten by a shark.
Then I follow up as soon as I can so they don’t forget our interaction. This puts the ball entirely in my court. I don’t have to hope for them to reach out to me. Sure, they can choose not to respond or even open the email in the first place. But I know that I’ve done everything I can to keep the connection going.
I don’t write this as an enemy of business cards. I might even get some new ones some day. But like anything, business cards aren’t a strategy, just a part of one.
What is more important is a focused and responsive follow-up to foster a relationship and possibly a new opportunity.