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How to Network Without Business Cards

15 points by benmaxime 16y ago

pierrefar 16y ago
On the other hand, not having business cards can come across as amateur and lose you points. I'd keep the cards handy but give them out to those who ask for them or those who give you theirs. If they ask for your card, ask for theirs too.
- ronnier 16y ago
  That's a good rule. I had cards made but rarely use them. When I did, it felt awkward, as if I was a salesman. I'll apply your rule and only give them out when asked.
  - petercooper 16y ago
    When I did, it felt awkward, as if I was a salesman. Do you find it annoying when nice, non-pushy people give you their business card? I appreciate that things like this can feel awkward internally (it still does to me), but I realized that if I don't mind other people doing certain things, maybe they don't mind me doing it too. Just another way of looking at the situation ;-) (Yeah, I picked this up in a CBT session for social anxiety..)
    - ronnier 16y ago
      Nope, not at all. Probably because they are usually business type people and it being the common thing to do in their circles, so they are good at it.
      - deleted 16y ago
        [deleted]
      - benmaxime 16y ago
        Interesting opinions, thanks for sharing your thoughts. This definitely was a thought provoking article. Cheers
bootload 16y ago
"... Put them into a “networking” twitter list and stay on top of what they’re doing. Send them helpful resources and retweet resources they put out. ..." This would probably make the beginning a good startup idea. If you do/don't have a card but do have a twit id a simple app to notify people you have met & manage the contacts (as long as you remember/record/contact their twit handles) - sort of an online business card. Stacks of contact apps have been built like this way but linking both the online/offline would be innovative. But nothing beats having something physical to put in someones hand without the need to sling out your phone/computer. I use moo cards of flickr images ~ ~ http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootload/sets/72157616147825654/with/3661538477/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootload/sets/72157616147825654... Unique, cheap & good looking they get the right information across. They are cheap enough for me to order a new batch every year with images I've taken making each one individual. By letting users select an image each is personalised.
- benmaxime 16y ago
  The Twitter idea is very interesting, it could be done with so many networks, Facebook, LinkedIn etc. Nothing may beat something physical for now, but soon in the future business cards wont exist anymore. It will all be virtual, thats just where things are heading...
ny51bern 16y ago
I think cards are essential to look professional, but I'm not against saving trees :)
- benmaxime 16y ago
  Many will say that!

15 points by benmaxime 16y ago

On the other hand, not having business cards can come across as amateur and lose you points. I'd keep the cards handy but give them out to those who ask for them or those who give you theirs. If they ask for your card, ask for theirs too.

ronnier 16y ago
That's a good rule. I had cards made but rarely use them. When I did, it felt awkward, as if I was a salesman. I'll apply your rule and only give them out when asked.
- petercooper 16y ago
  When I did, it felt awkward, as if I was a salesman. Do you find it annoying when nice, non-pushy people give you their business card? I appreciate that things like this can feel awkward internally (it still does to me), but I realized that if I don't mind other people doing certain things, maybe they don't mind me doing it too. Just another way of looking at the situation ;-) (Yeah, I picked this up in a CBT session for social anxiety..)
  - ronnier 16y ago
    Nope, not at all. Probably because they are usually business type people and it being the common thing to do in their circles, so they are good at it.
    - deleted 16y ago
      [deleted]
    - benmaxime 16y ago
      Interesting opinions, thanks for sharing your thoughts. This definitely was a thought provoking article. Cheers

bootload 16y ago

"... Put them into a “networking” twitter list and stay on top of what they’re doing. Send them helpful resources and retweet resources they put out. ..." This would probably make the beginning a good startup idea. If you do/don't have a card but do have a twit id a simple app to notify people you have met & manage the contacts (as long as you remember/record/contact their twit handles) - sort of an online business card. Stacks of contact apps have been built like this way but linking both the online/offline would be innovative. But nothing beats having something physical to put in someones hand without the need to sling out your phone/computer. I use moo cards of flickr images ~ ~ http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootload/sets/72157616147825654/with/3661538477/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootload/sets/72157616147825654... Unique, cheap & good looking they get the right information across. They are cheap enough for me to order a new batch every year with images I've taken making each one individual. By letting users select an image each is personalised.

benmaxime 16y ago
The Twitter idea is very interesting, it could be done with so many networks, Facebook, LinkedIn etc. Nothing may beat something physical for now, but soon in the future business cards wont exist anymore. It will all be virtual, thats just where things are heading...

ny51bern 16y ago

I think cards are essential to look professional, but I'm not against saving trees :)

benmaxime 16y ago
Many will say that!