Business Card Etiquette

I attended a local Chambers of Commerce meeting and found myself silently amused at how people go about exchanging their business card. I realized at that moment that in the exchange of the card there is a lot going on in that simple interaction which may influence future business.

I thought that it would be an interesting topic to bounce with you today.

In today’s’ busy world, I find more and more people embracing the spirit of entrepreneurship.

It is not unusual to meet someone who does not carry a business card. One aspect of etiquette that is of great importance is the exchanging of business cards, and more so when it involves international connections.

Business cards are a means of presenting personal contact details, so you don’t have to fidget for a pen and paper all the time. So ensure you have plenty with you (I tend to carry 25 or more when I attend a network event or meeting).

Business cards are generally exchanged at the beginning of or at the end of an initial meeting.

Make a point of studying any business card, commenting on it and clarifying information before putting it away. This simple practice will set you apart from others. Remember what I said… it is part of that initial interaction.

It is my observation based on my own experience that a business card should not be vague. Anyone looking at your business card should know what it is that you do or promote. If you sell shoes, there should be the word shoes on your card or a shoe picture. As professional as we want to think we are… our eyes seem to gravitate to images, this is why many people do choose to put their pictures on their cards.

I hope you enjoy the video… I was amused how Syndi Seid (The Etiquette of Exchanging Business Cards) made the correlation of a business card being like someone’s face.

Daisy Says: It’s all in the details.