Why the business card grab is not why you are there? So how do you obtain the card and show interest that gains confidence?
One of the things I am also always asked is, "How do you collect cards?" and "What do you do with them when you get them back to the office?" What really happens when you collect business cards? Often they get put into a pocket with many others. Have you ever collected cards to later find out that you have no idea who the person was? This happens all the time. It is probably better to pick a few good leads rather than collect everything (sometimes that is difficult to do if people trade cards with you). Choose one pocket for the timely leads and carry post it notes to add information.
It is quite easy to cull the cads as you gather them. First, I only collect cards from people that I can either do business with, form an alliance with, or simply become a referral for them. Sounds easy, but the trick is to be able to ferret out who these people are. I also take notes on the back of the card or on a pad of sticky notes and attach it to the card so that I do not forget who they are and what services they provide. I even try to put faces to the cards by describing them on the sticky notes. These people will be amazed that you can remember them the next time you meet and they will then want to talk to you.
Some people look at their stack of cards the next day, or two days later is even worse, and they are bewildered: they can't remember who was who. Cards with simply black and white designs can look very alike; it is very important that you try to differentiate the cards you collect. Do this by writing on the back with a Y or N or M for Yes, No, Maybe significance. I then keep my cards in a zip lock bag for each type of card. It makes it easier to follow up. I also make note of the event we attended so as to keep a record of what we were there for. It also helps me to keep track of where the best events for attracting business are. If you are starting out cold, then keeping records will be very important - just remember not to collect every card on the floor.
Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit http://BlueprintBooks.com/
Ever use someone else to get your message out?For example,... Read More
The New Guy is a person we all know. And... Read More
In life, you have to successfully work with people to... Read More
How many leads do you pass on?As a reminder, you... Read More
Did you know that contacts are the bread of career... Read More
Know your customer, know your customer, know your customer. Three... Read More
Networking is probably the oldest, easiest, most effective and least... Read More
"Instead of a handshake, I gave Toby a high-five to... Read More
Why is a network meeting the best place to get... Read More
? "Make Every Moment Count" is the title of a... Read More
You can generate a ton of business by networking, whether... Read More
Have you ever noticed how visible large corporations are? Take... Read More
"If you build a better mouse trap - the world... Read More
When it comes to quality, how do you choose the... Read More
A few years back when I moved to Charlotte, NC... Read More
Douglas Wilder, former Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and... Read More
Most small business people do not take advantage of human... Read More
A few years ago, I was attending a family function... Read More
Effective business promotion is more powerful than advertising. Using golf... Read More
Not all dot-com dreams died when the Internet stock bubble... Read More
When you look at your friends, it's like looking into... Read More
You only have three seconds?Connect in under a minute?People decide... Read More
"What me? Sell myself? You have to be joking!"This was... Read More
The Personal Touch 1There is a simple art to networking... Read More
Why is it so important to network with other people... Read More
Let's be real. With other pressures of life upon us,... Read More
"It's not what you know, it's who you know."This old... Read More
If you have been in business for any amount of... Read More
One out of every ten Americans has a fear of... Read More
If you're fond of a good debate, you know how... Read More
Are you tired of prospecting for new business?Are you sick... Read More
Real networking isn't about handing out business cards at a... Read More
Your nonverbal communication talks before you do. Only seven percent... Read More
When it comes to quality, how do you choose the... Read More
I bet you have not thought about it much, but... Read More
If you walk into your local bookstore and pick up... Read More
A few years back when I moved to Charlotte, NC... Read More
A few years ago, I was attending a family function... Read More
Networking is a term that didn't exist (academically) until almost... Read More
I grew up in a household where saying thank you... Read More
Defining your purpose for joining a group.When you make the... Read More
Many workers think that their hard work will speak for... Read More
Why ask others for help and what do you gain... Read More
What is the biggest advantage of forming an alliance?Everyone has... Read More
What is the definition of a leads exchange and how... Read More
The StoryAs a child growing up, one of the many... Read More
Generating new business leads is critical in your success, no... Read More
The festive season is a great time to sharpen and... Read More
You already know that uncomfortable feeling, that knot in your... Read More
One of my clients shared a story with me from... Read More
Do you use Ryze or LinkedIn to promote your web... Read More
"What me? Sell myself? You have to be joking!"This was... Read More
You only have three seconds?Connect in under a minute?People decide... Read More
Networking, schmoozing, making connections. Call it what you want, it's... Read More
Right here in Europe, the very last continent to enter... Read More
You approach a stranger at an association meeting or industry... Read More
I hope the title of this article aroused your curiosity!... Read More
Quote of the week"The answer is always no...unless you ask."... Read More
What is the problem when people try to describe what... Read More
Ever use someone else to get your message out?For example,... Read More
A value-added network can be achieved through explicit actions to... Read More
Real networking isn't about handing out business cards at a... Read More
Networking is probably the oldest, easiest, most effective and least... Read More
You're terrible with names. You forget someone's name within ten... Read More
? "Make Every Moment Count" is the title of a... Read More
What has networking got to do with joint ventures? "PLENTY"... Read More
Networking |