Always Carry Business Cards
April 30, 2008 – 2:14 pmIf you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
I made a great boo-boo during a recent networking session - I didn’t bring my business cards.
Suffice to say I was crippled without them while interacting with the people present at last week’s Media Maker’s Networking Evening hosted by the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) and organised by Kaiiten Communications, and held at Geek Terminal. I also finally had a chance to meet Paddy Tan, the CEO of Bak2U and Blog2U.sg, who also blogged about this event.
I won’t go into the details about the importance of business cards - many people have already written about the topic, such as Carl E. Reid’s “10 Powerful Networking Tips Using Business Cards“, Entrepreneur.com’s “The Ten Commandments of Networking” (I broke the 1st commandment ><), or Justaguything.com’s “Powerful Networking Through Business Card Etiquette“.
PS: It was fairly evident during the event that a certain schism exists between traditional media makers - productions houses and the like - and the new media i.e. bloggers, podcasters and other digital “riffraff”. Both separated into their own groups and hardly interacted with the other.
Tags: bak2u, blog2u, business cards, networking
9 Responses to “Always Carry Business Cards”
Here sweetie. This should help you for next time: http://www.unlimitedbusinesscards.com
Free business cards with free shipping. Now you don’t have any excuses.
By Jennifer Cain on Apr 30, 2008
Not to mention how embarrassing it is! There were occasions when the other party presented their business cards and I was unable to whip one out…I felt so diminutive, so small, so child-like…so embarrassed! Always have one or two spare tyres in the wallet.
By Commentator on May 2, 2008
I think the schism between traditional media operators and new media players lies in the fundamental differences in which they view the process of content creation. Traditional media production folks, journalists and designers place a lot of emphasis on the quality of the creative product. On the other hand, many new media based “content” providers value reach and expediency - ie amateurish productions and writing are fine if they can be pushed out quickly to an audience.
Another major sweeping statement which I am going to make is that most traditional media industries are rooted in the arts. Skills like writing, designing, having an eye for aesthetics and acting are critical here. On the other hand, most entrepreneurs in the social media spaces tend to be techies at heart - ie engineers, computer science students. Over time, I believe the balance may change but there is a skew right now that exists.
By walter on May 10, 2008
Hi,
@Jennifer: LOL, I hope you deliver free to Singapore!
@Commentator: I totally agree… going to a networking meeting without your business cards is like going to battle without bullets in your rifle. Daunting!
@Walter: I can’t say I disagree with what you said. I just felt that it was strange that both groups simply ignored each other. Wouldn’t be interesting if they actually collaborate on something instead? Imagine the creativity and potential in that…
By Daniel on May 11, 2008
Thank you for sharing your experience. I had the same embarrassing situation happen to me many years back. Since then, I always keep business cards next to my house keys. This insures when I leave the house my house keys and business cards always go with me.
Thank you. I’m honored you referenced my article 10 Powerful Networking Tips Using Business Cards. I’m offering 5 free copies of my article as a free marketing tool to anyone who requests it.
By Car E. Reid on May 12, 2008
Hey there, several occasions I was caught without any business cards also. So what I do is get one from colleagues and then write my infor on it.
Then the next day, mail it (by post) my business card over to show that I am serious to know the person that I exchanged cards with.
After that will follow up (3 days) later, with a call to check if he/she has received it.
It is my fault and no excuse to carry no cards, so a bit of work is okay
By Paddy Tan on May 12, 2008
Hi Carl,
It was a good article and I am glad to reference it!
By Daniel on May 13, 2008
I’ve been without business cards for a few weeks and it’s been a good experience. I’ve explained that I’m working on a new design and happily taken my new acquaintance’s card. I’ve then been able to follow up with an email of introduction.
I get tired of the meaningless distribution of bits of card. The purpose of business cards is to enable us to re-connect with one another. I make a rule of only giving cards if I think there’s a genuine connection, one that I want to follow up. Networking can be really disingenuous, I like to make it meaningful for me otherwise it just doesn’t feel right.
By Natasha Golding on May 15, 2008
Hi Natasha,
Its actually tough not to have one while networking in Asia. The business culture here, especially in Japan and China, demands an almost formal exchange of business cards.
Personally, I find that I have to supplement it with the use of new technologies such as LinkedIn and/or Plaxo to keep up. There’s only a limit to what a business card can do. But you’re right - making meaning during networking is important!
Thanks for dropping by my blog!
By Daniel on May 15, 2008