I cringe at the number of opportunities I’ve missed by not carrying a simple card to represent myself in my wallet.
My wallet and diaper bag usually have business cards tucked away in the pockets. I’ve owned two at-home businesses over the past six years and worked as a freelance writer, so I learned to always have a card on hand . I’ve never been especially assertive with these cards, though, wondering when it’s appropriate to hand them out and how to best represent the diversity of things I d. If I’m honest, I’ve sometimes wondered, When and where should I hand these out?
I realized over the past year or so that there are a multitude of reasons to carry a business or personal card. Personal cards are opportunity seekers and, when in doubt, share yours.
4 Reasons to Carry a Business or Personal Card
1. Be Prepared for Opportunities
Your card gives a glimpse of who you are and the opportunities you’re seeking. A card can represent your business, hobbies/talents, desire to connect with other others, or the type of work you’re seeking. You never know where you’ll find opportunity and always carrying a business or personal card indicates that you’re serious about seeking it.
I had a last-minute opportunity to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration this summer and quickly learned an important lesson: Always have a business card and always carry extras. When I headed out for an extended vacation away from home, I didn’t anticipate attending a conference, but I should have anticipated potential opportunities. I watched as other bloggers and business women confidently pulled out stacks of cards and felt frustrated by my measly stack and inability to leave a card with every person at the conference.
2. Share Tangible Information
Have you ever experienced that annoying moment where you can’t find a pen or a piece of paper and you’re wondering if it’ll be awkward to ask to call someone’s cell so they have your number? Keeping a card on hand eliminates these problems entirely. Sharing a business card is an easy way to impress on someone that you are serious about whatever you’re pursuing. It also tells them you are actively networking and you value what they have to offer.
Awhile back, I began talking with another mom at my son’s preschool. She is an interesting, intelligent woman and I always enjoy our exchanges. We spoke a little about her work and I was able to share a bit about a current job I’d just started. It turned out our work intercepted a bit and she had local connections. We exchanged business cards and were able to make both a personal and professional connection with information.
3. Leave a Physical Reminder
You might meet up with someone who participates in a local activist group or crochet club that you’re interested in. You want to learn more and they want to engage you, so you exchange cards. Maybe you’ve considered opening your own Etsy shop in the future to share a particular talent and meet someone interested in buying one of your items now. Perhaps you encounter a potential client or a job lead at a play group or community event and give them your card. A promise to follow up might be forgotten, except for a little card waiting as a reminder.
The Disney Social Media Moms Conference ended over a week ago, but I recently came across the business cards I collected there while searching for lost keys. While I began following many of the attendees online on the spot, their cards reminded me to visit their blogs and discover new voices.
3. Leave an Impression
Your personal or business card presents a great opportunity to leave an impression about who you are, what you represent, and what you’re seeking. Handing someone your card demonstrates that you are serious about your pursuits and sincerely interested in follow-up. Your card visually shares something about you and should be professional and easy to read, with a bit of your personality showing through.
I attended the Disney Conference with Catherine from Thinking Outside the Sandbox, an excellent resource for professional women. She came to the conference prepared and offered some great advice on creating an eye catching, informational business card.
After seeing some of the creative cards shared at the Disney Social Media Moms Conference, I decided it was time to refresh mine with a new logo and personal design. Once the logo is complete, I plan to never leave home without extras tucked away in easy to access places.
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definitely would be nice to have some, even though my opportunities currently are very small, if I get a chance at a conference, I would need some!
Wow! You must have written this with me in mind..lol I really need to get a business card. I’ve had so many episodes were one would have been crucial. Thanks for the reminder!
I seriously need to do this…especially when the subject of what a sell comes up. I seriously want to slap myself in the face and I wonder “why don’t I have a business card?”
This is a great list, good reminder! I’ll have to make sure my hubby carries his business cards more.