When to Hand Out Your Business Card?

Have you ever been at a networking meeting and you’re having a conversation with someone and a person walks up and hands you their business card?  And you notice they go from one person to another doing the same.  These people are known as the ‘Card Pushers.’  As they say….’there is a time and place for everything.’

I typically want to do business with someone I know, like, and trust or someone who comes highly recommended.  Someone I know is qualified to do the work.  When someone shoves their business card at me at a networking meeting, when I didn’t ask for it, that card and/or marketing material is more than likely going to end up in the round file before I get out the door.

Recently I read a blog post by Dr. Ivan Miser about when to pass out your business card.  He gave, what I feel is excellent advice…’Don’t hand it out unless someone asks for it.’  Your goal at a networking meeting should be to make 3 to 5 good connections, not see how many business cards and/or pieces of marketing material you can get rid of.  Save some trees and some money and only give this material to those who are truly interested in your products and/or services.  Take time to get to know people and build a relationship.

Below is the link to Dr. Miser blog post so you can read the full article along with a couple of other links about how to get the most out of networking.

http://ivanmisner.com/deliver-business-card/

 

Here is a link to a blog post on ‘Networking Etiquette.’  

Here is a link to a blog post on ‘How to Build a StrongNetwork.’  

What other advice would you give on this topic?  Your comments are welcomed and appreciated.

Happy Networking,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises