Networking: What To Do With All Of Those Business Cards

Last Tuesday you went to that networking event, spent 3 hours of your time, and ended up with a stack of business cards. I’m willing to bet most of that stack is sitting on your desk,

Written Jan 31, 2008, read 582 times since then.

Last Tuesday you went to that networking event, spent 3 hours of your time, and ended up with a stack of business cards. I’m willing to bet most of that is sitting on your desk, pushed off to the side waiting for that spare moment for you to go through. I’m also willing to bet you have a 3-inch stack farther back on your desk that never made it to your to-do list.

Networking is one of those funny games that you feel compelled to play as a business owner or sales person, yet many simply don’t know how to play.

And in today’s world, it may seem even more difficult. How do you know where to go? Should you attend several events each week, even if you don’t have the time? And what about social networking online – can that help you network more efficiently?

The next time you’re out networking, give this idea a try.

Before you head out networking locally, spend some time networking online. Head over to social networking sites like LinkedIn.com and Facebook.com, and set up your own profile page. These systems are incredibly easy to use, and are a great way to make your local networking more effective. Include your photograph, your business description, your favorites, and a little bit about you. Then you’re ready to head out into your local community.

At a networking event, spend 5 to 10 minutes with a person and learn something about them that you may have in common. Go beyond their 30 second commercial, and find out what interests them. Maybe you grew up in the same city, or your children all play soccer. In 5 to 10 minutes you should be able to find at least one thing in common. Write down a quick note such as “soccer” on the back of their business cards to help you remember when you’re back at your desk. Then put the card in your pocket, and move on to the next person. Don’t look for people willing to immediately use your services; instead look for something in common. Relationships are key to good networking.

Back at your desk, take out your stack. Head online and login to one of your favorite social networking sites, such as LindedIn.com. Make a quick search to see if any of the people from your stack have an account. If so, connect with them, write up a brief note on your meeting and what you have in common, and invite them to become a friend. If not, write up a brief note on your meeting, explain to them the benefits of having a profile on a social networking site, and invite them to become a friend.

In either case, your new contact will have the opportunity to read your profile, and learn even more about you. The more information you’re willing to share, the more synergy you may find with your new contacts. Having a friend base will allow you to connect with people and bring you many more opportunities than traditional methods. And ultimately, will be rewarded with more referrals and sales.

Learn more about the author, Lori Osterberg.

Comment on this article

Posted by Dan McComb, Seattle, Washington | Jan 31, 2008

Great tips, Lori. To your list of networking sites, I would add, of course, Biznik. Biznik differs from LinkedIn in that it targets independent professionals and business owners, as opposed to employees. 85 percent of Biznik members own businesses, according to a member survey we conducted last November.

I'd take it a step further and suggest that, when you're back from the networking event, if you don't find the person you want to connect with on Biznik already, use the email address on their card to send them an invitation to join. It's fast, easy, and the fact that you are sharing a great networking resource with them says that you care about them, and want to help them build their business, too. It's a great way to follow up.

Biznik Business Networking
Posted by Nicole Bandes, Phoenix, Arizona | Feb 01, 2008

And don't forget to follow up with a note or card. Invite them to meet you one on one in order to expand the relationship and really learn more about one another.
Posted by Regina Frau, MBA, , Marysville, Washington | Feb 01, 2008

Great article Lori! Always follow up with a note after you meet someone, so you stay fresh in their mind. Even if you don't need that person's services now, you may in the future or may know someone who may need them.
Posted by Amy Lang, Seattle, Washington | Feb 07, 2008

This is a really smart solution to yet another thing on my list. I have a great stack of cards gathering dust...now I can put it to work! Amy
Posted by David Billings, Portland, Oregon | Feb 07, 2008

Great tips, Lori! Thanks for putting this out there, it definitely helped me today. - David

Illustration, Animation. A whole lotta fun.
Posted by Corbin Links, Bellevue, Washington | Feb 08, 2008

Hi Lori:

Great suggestions! Practical tips that are easily actionable. I really like the idea of a one or two word "trigger" to freshen the card's context.

I'll add something to the mix. Though Biznik is of course the best networking site, I can recommend Jigsaw as a great business card dumping ground...er...."repository." :-)

Seriously though, we all collect a number of business cards throughout our careers. Some we may connect with later, but most likely not. (Especially people we meet on airplane trips.) But, Jigsaw provides a way to get some contact "points" from that stack of business cards. Once points are collected, they can be used for something useful, such as getting introductions to people/companies/accounts that you really want to access.

Here's a secret tip: Take that large stack of cards, scan them in 8.5"x11" paper size (roughly 10 cards), then email the sheets over to your offshore contact and have them perform the data entry. With just a small investment, you can turn those stacks of non-actionable cards into points which can be redeemed for actionable ones.

Best regards, Corbin Links, Linksbusinessgroup.com
Posted by Ian Ejan, Rancho Cucamonga, California | Feb 08, 2008

Hi Lori,

Fantastic idea in using LinkedIn... Great posts also from Dan & Corbin.

I needed this article ;-) Thanks - Ian
Posted by Mary McKitrick, Florence, Massachusetts | Feb 08, 2008

Thank-you so much for this article. I really needed to be enlightened on how one can bring "analog" (face-to-face) networking and online social networking together and these are stellar suggestions and comments.
Posted by Jennifer Hofmann, Salem, Oregon | Feb 09, 2008

This is great - a ton of ideas that an be put to use.

I do have one thought - even if you add someone to your LinkedIn or Biznik friends list and follow up once, that doesn't necessarily create a deeper connection with them.

My thought is that there's a need for regular ongoing contact to really solidify a contact. Just like a friendship.

First of all, I think it's important to follow up only with people you really connect with and with whom you believe that further connection would be beneficial to one or both of you.

Then, to deepen the connection I recommend sending them an email about a month after you send that first follow-up that provides them with something valuable. Attach a request for action (like signing up for your newsletter). Or follow up with them to ask a deeper question about their work. Or an idea for collaboration.

Mostly, I think it's important to be purposeful about who you follow up with and WHY you think it would be beneficial. Just staying in touch because you've met once usually isn't enough to cement the connection.

...to which the neglected stack of cards attests. :)
Posted by Ilise Benun, Hoboken, New Jersey | Feb 10, 2008

Very nice article, Lori. One way to keep in touch with everyone you meet is to get them into your "loop" -- that is, the marketing tool you use to keep in touch on a regular basis. For some, that's an email newsletter; for others, it's a monthly postcard.

Of course, you can't just add them to your list. You do need permission. So in my follow up, I often end with this question, "May I keep in touch via my email newsletter, Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor?" (http://www.marketing-mentortips.com/)

More often than not, they say yes.
Posted by Carol Skolnick, Santa Cruz, California | Feb 22, 2008

Good ideas, Lori. And, in my experience, it's really important to review the business cards immediately after the event, lest I forget them. Recalling their faces and our conversation and following up immediately is the only way I know to maintain a genuine connection. It's too tempting to stick the cards in a drawer for later.
Posted by Anne Lindsay, Sammamish, Washington | Apr 22, 2008

Laurie,

Great ideas. You have a wonderful photo of yourself. We are told to make sure we have a photos on our websites and on our business cards. As you know, how we look is very important. Those cards you give out at networking meetings also need to project the "best you". I noticed that you were a pro photographer as well. So am I. Thanks for you networking/business card ideas!

Anne Lindsay www.annelindsayphotography.com

Anne Lindsay Photography
Posted by Marianna Paulson, Surrey, British Columbia Canada | May 11, 2008

I love how you provided practical tips to use both - social networking and business cards. I know I wasn't using either of them to full advantage. .

The discussion generated by this topic has been extremely valuable to me.

Thanks to all!