Hello ABNers, this will probably show one thing and one thing only. How long it is since I've networked in the flesh!
I got to wondering the other day whether exchanging business cards is still a thing? Here's where I'm coming from - (and no, it's not the 1980s) - despite the fact we seem to be returning to an increasing sense of normaility in our day to day world - we all have our own take on that. Some people still take certain precautions by perhaps wearing a mask in situations where they're no longer legally required to, but prefer to.
Others, as I've become painfully aware in recent times, don't wish to shake hands upon meeting. I still go to shake hands insitinctively, I never took to the fist bump.
So, I wonder if exchanging business cards is still a thing, or if some folk have stopped. And if you have, what have you done to replace that?
(Part 2 of this is because I'm also looking at a business card which taps a phone and uploads all your details to the recipient. Not sure I can justify it!)
Replies
Hi John
Possibly a bit late to the party on this one 😀
I have seen paper business cards being passed out but personally am not a fan - just more "stuff" to either file or put in a pile. I agree with Jessie's comment about using attendance lists and following up on LI, etc, where you want to.
I have a digital card that I have to confess to only using once, but it seemed to work okay, and I did connect with that individual. They seem quite configurable and I have to say I like your idea of including a sound file but don't know about U2's disaster so you might want to ignore that!
Susan
Good one John!
At our events, we're stil seeing business cards being exchanged. Just not as many as before
And I'm with you on the fist action. Unless someone has holed a long putt or chipped in, no need!
I am seeing business cards being passed around. I have seen the virtual ones and they seem to be a little awkward and take up time to get the barrcode up etc. Personally I am still a fan of of a handhsake and a business card.
Good to know Siobhan. Thanks for the info. I can be awkward enough without adding to the process!
I've never really understood the point of electronic business card - especially when we have LinkedIn!
I'm considering getting bookmarks printed for the book side of my business, instead of business cards.
Seen cards still being passed around, although not much as there use to be. Although I guess time will tell if business cards (and other things like shaking hands) increase more as we exit the pandemic and lockdowns.
Although hope some things like hand sanitiser at entrances of buildings, etc. continue!
Hi Simon - First of all - agreed on the sanitiser! (High Five? Raincheck) Love the idea of bookmarks for your business - that was kind of where I was going with the electronic business card - my idea was to upload a little sound file, but it depends on a number of things. Dependability, ie. not a case of faffing about. Also, remember U2's disastrous roll out of an album where everyone with itunes received it for free? And the reception of it went entirely unexpectedly and not at all approvingly! I don't want that for submitting a little sound file on an electronic business card!
I liked the idea of a virtual card but honestly I can't imagine them working too well at an event, may be too much faffing with phones?
I think there's still a mix at events with some people taking cards, others leaving them behind. I think it's just become more important now to keep hold of the delegate list & make sure to connect with people online post-event!
Keeping hold of the delegate list is a really simple tip that seems so straighforward once you know it, but I guarantee I've walked away from a networking event before and just disposed of it Jessie, so thanks for mentioning!
Thanks for booking on our next networking event John. Ideal chance to hang on to that delegate list!
Thanks Andrew. Looking forward to it. :-) Going back over the Cows, Not Cow Podcast - Seasons 1 and 2 for more tips!