by 
Overview
The last couple of weeks I have been able to attend some great industry tradeshows and conferences. One of the things that really has stood out for me is the unwillingness of people to hand over their business card. I don’t understand it. Yes, I know the movement is toward paperless and everything digital, but why would you not want to give someone your business card. Better yet, wouldn’t it be great if a person who is interested in your product or service came up to you and handed you their business card.
In addition, the importance in how you display your card also matters. Try this experiment and you will be surprised like I was.
Business Card Experiment
If you have a business card holder, place one person’s card in the holder and place the other persons cards directly on the table with no holder.
Which card do you think gets picked the most?
Answer: The card on the table.
Once again, people have limited time and do not want to mess up your “trophy-like display” of your business card. By the way, the selection at this particular show was 3 to 1 regarding which card was taken. I was a bit shocked myself.
In this day and age where people have to be holding their smartphone in their hand all the time, you need to make your business card readily accessible. Encourage people to take your card. Ask the person if they would be willing to give you their card.
Business Cards are the new directory
Where else can you go, where you see the person’s name, company name, job title email address and phone number. Show me a social media site with all of this informaiton in one place.
Summary
If you want people to find you, make your information accessible. (Especially at Tradeshows) You will be in the minority! Trust Me! If you are able to get someone’s business card, you are much closer to making a deal, especially today in the “paperless era”. Business cards are the bitcoin in the digital age. They have value, the challenge is being able to make the transaction occur.
photo credit: Michael Kappel via photopin cc
