Envato Tuts+ Business Article: One of the most important aspects of professional networking events is the exchange of business cards that takes place among participants. Yet, many entrepreneurs and freelancers attending these events don’t know how to give out business cards successfully, so as to leave a positive impression along with their card.
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One of the biggest, most important lessons I learned this past summer came from the camp director who always said “take care of the little things so the big things can happen.” I think this article has some great point on “the little things.” There are formalities and customs that you must obey in formal settings and this article did a great job outlining the formalities and customs that accompany a business card transaction. Some times people do not really think about the little things like how their business card looks, or what they handwrite on it but taking the time to do business cards right can go a long way. The same goes for handshakes. A good handshake is a networker’s best tool. My uncle and later on my high school teacher engrained a good handshake in me and it comes in handy (pun intended). A handshake, business card, word choice are all little things that can make the big things like a job happen.
These tips seem like very reasonable and fairly common sense suggestions. That being said, it was very nice to see them in writing. All too often there are things that I feel like I know, and recognize as the appropriate action, but did not come to completely on my own. Something as simple as not scribbling on a business card, especially one that someone has handed to you, seem very simple and obvious. However, it never would have been outside the realm of possibility that I might have jotted something interesting down on another person’s business card. This article really pointed out some lapses in etiquette that I think are very common to my generation. Business cards seem so far removed from today’s society, and the creation of networking platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn have probably exacerbated that problem a little bit. I will admit, I’ve only had business cards made once, and that was for a conference that I was handing resumes out at. Maybe business cards are more common among people in the middle of their careers, and not those just starting out?
During the SATE conference here I was fortunate enough to talk to Christine Barnes about the themed entertainment business over lunch with a few other students. This article struck a chord with one of the main things which we talked about which was the manner in which you gave your card to someone matters. Christine talked about the importance of making it seem like when you received a card that it actually mattered to you who the person was and rather than shoving away the card holding onto it while you talked. After all, when a person gives you their card they are giving you access to their professional contact information. Showing that you really appreciate that point of contact is important and could make all the difference. Likewise giving your own cards out, like the article argues, Christine said that you should take care not only of the cards but of your personal mannerisms and professionalism as you do so.
I like the thought of relating how one would present his or her self to how they should present a business card. One of the first lines of the article asks the reader if they would show up to an interview looking, basically, like crap. The answer is no, so then why should any extension of the person, in the form of a resume or business card look any worse than the person. Answer: These items should not look worse. I can’t imagine handing someone a gross or wrinkled card that sounds embarrassing. Another good point this article makes is in the business card exchange. Asking for someone’s business card is a good way to get yours in the transaction. When I get mine printed I will probably try that method. One thing I thought was interesting was when the author stated that it is actually rude to write on someone’s business card. I don’t really think I understand why. I get that this card is a neat pristine version of the person, but I like to take notes during a conversation. If I land in that situation, I will make sure to be discrete.
During the SATE conference, I, like John Walker, had the opportunity to speak with a Disney Imagineer, Christine Barnes, who is currently set dressing the new Avatar experience in California. Among the many things we spoke about over lunch, the one that was very important to her is the way you handle business cards. There are certain standards of etiquette that go a long way with people, especially those from other countries. The thing she said that really stuck with me is that when a person gives you their business card, they are giving you a part of themselves. They are giving you the ability to reach out to them and talk. It is a very intimate offering that should never be blown off. Since this is such an important and personal slip of paper, she says you should always give and receive a business card with two hands, and never put it in your pocket or write on it in front of them. You should hold it in your hands, take a moment to read it, and then look back up at the person, but not let go of it. Once they are gone, you can take a few notes on it or put it in your pocket, but never let them see you do this. I think these are incredibly wise words and I have been practicing them since we spoke with her.
Gaaah the thought of giving out a business card is anxiety-inducing. It's an incredibly mundane and normal thing to do, but at the same time because I've never really done it I perceive it as somewhat awkward... The very logistics of carrying business cards around, and having a place to put other people's, etc., really stress me out for some reason. I agree with everyone else that the information in this article is not ground-breaking, but reading it made me feel a little more comfortable with the idea of using business cards in a setting like USITT or another event where I might want to give them out. I guess they're an important thing to have with you at all times, since you could want to create a connection with someone that you meet more or less randomly, outside of a networking event where you were expecting to give out your business card. Also, knowing when to give one is weird, and I think this article addresses that pretty well in the second section.
Growing up business cards were and still are my favorite tool of surviving the entrepreneur industry. I never saw business cards as a helpful tool to big business because by the point they have reached the scale of being a big business their brand is already know and to some decree their level credibility is already set in stone. The idea that business cards should be the tool to seal the deal on a personal connection is just a good basis to work off of. At the end of the day the business card is going to be the representation of the first impression they had with another person because it will always stand as a visual reminder of that conversation with a nudge of information saying, “it’s okay to contact me”. And it is very important to treat a business card in the same respect that you would treat your business casual attire, neatly pressed with no wrinkle and all in a nice order because again this is going to lead to a strong first impression and make any client more willing to contact later.
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