Guest Post from Nate Hennings
After an exhausting Inman RE Conference I was only too happy when Nate offered to write a blog post. Not quite what I was expecting but you have to love the originality…..D.L.
Back from another great Inman RE Connect conference and of course have a mile high stack of cards to sift through. Many good memories to recount, thought-provoking conversations to reflect on, and possible business development deals on which to follow up. Pouring over this stack I’m reminded of several do’s and don’ts that I think of after every conference, but that I’ve never catalogued in an organized format. I don’t mean to impress my opinion as authoritative, but rather offer some tips that could prevent you from becoming this guy. In true Inman style, I thought I’d enumerate them in a numbered list. Here are my 7 Do’s and Don’ts of business card etiquette:
First, the “unique shape” of a business card doesn’t mean you’re unique, but usually the opposite.
If you want to be creative, take up painting or go join the circus. Business card sizes are standardized for a reason (although there is a slight difference between our cards, and those of employees from UK companies, for example). But rounding your corners, making your card a square (okay, I’ll give a pass to Square 1 Bank…they have a lot of schwag that is in fact, square, and they’re great people), or if god forbid making it a CIRCLE, just ups the chance that I’m going to look at it, not be able to fit it in my rolodex or binder, and say “what a jerk” before chucking it in the trash. And here’s why I feel this way: A “uniquely” shaped business card is an admission that you’re not memorable enough for a normal business card, and that you need a gimmick. Rather than resorting to this, say something during our chat that blows my mind, makes me think, or intrigues me in some way, and I’ll remember you.
However, on the gimmick note, I must admit that if you ever handed me one of these (with a real card to follow it, of course), I’d think you were pretty badass. And, I’d get my protein for the day.No bling
By “bling,” I mean a glossy card. While I don’t personally write notes on the back of cards, many people like to jot down a few notes relating to people they’ve met, especially when they’re collecting several at a conference. This is tough with a glossy card.
Take your face out of my face
This also relates to the “memorability” issues addressed earlier; if you’ve made me think, I’ll remember your face. Personally I don’t think pictures should be included on cards; however one exception may be with Realtors. With Inman Connect being a real estate technology conference, as I look at my pile of cards right now I’ve got quite a few ear-to-ear smiles gazing up at me. I know that Realtors hold self-promotion near and dear as it represents their livelihood, so I’ll give them a pass. All that I ask is for it to be a classy mug and not a cheesy pose, pic of you superimposed in a meadow, or some 80’s prom shot (I have cards with all of these).
Don’t just shove it in my face
Too many times I get cards jabbed at me Rocky-Balboa-style before I’ve even met the person. The purpose of mingling at a conference is to have meaningful conversations with people that you can help make successful, and whom in turn can help make you successful (notice the order there….you have to give before you receive!). It’s not all about “getting all of your cards out” so you can feel that you’ve marketed yourself. If you have my card, I can assure you that at least one of the following is true 1.) we’ve had a conversation about something meaningful, 2.) I value you as someone I’d like to stay in touch with, 3.) one of us can help the other out in the future, or sadly 4.) you face-jabbed me with one, and I felt obligated to reciprocate.
Do stash backups, and backups of backups
I’ve been guilty of running out of business cards at mixers a few times and it can be a bit awkward, especially if a solid connection is made. To counter this, I’ve gone overboard and stashed backups in my wallet, coat pockets, two places in my briefcase, and a bunch in my car.
Don’t leave them in a cradle in conference rooms or on your assistant’s desk
Unless you’re a member of the front-office staff, I wouldn’t leave your cards laying around unattended. I’ve seen many companies do this, including a few very prominent VC’s in the valley. They stash the top dogs’ cards right there in conference rooms, thereby circumventing the required exchange (conversation, mutual agreement upon being in contact, etc. etc.) that should take place before contact information is given. I can guarantee you that [Insert name of VC with legendary status] is not going to return your call/email/smoke-signal unless you’ve already met, in that case you should have his/her card already. It’s not that it’s “dangerous” to let your email address get out (because if you’re high profile, your assistant might check it and filter for you anyway), there’s just no reason to. It’s not a flyer for discount at the car wash, it’s your professional reputation printed on a piece of paper.
Do put your Twitter handle on your card
I’ve found that DMs on Twitter are more effective than both phone and email (for the time being, at least, until Twitter becomes overrun as a spammer’s haven). I’m guessing that contact management systems (Outlook, Plaxo, etc.) will gradually move to support a contact’s Twitter handle as well, in a dedicated field. To that end, include your Twitter handle on your card so people can easily follow you. I even saw one card with a hashtagged phrase (#twitterqueens for @heyamaretto’s card); very forward thinking. To access her Tweets, and find out who is twittering on that topic, you just search for that hashtag.
So that’s my two cents on the do’s and don’ts of biz cards; hopefully they help. Or, you can always take some cues from the legendary business card connoisseur: Patrick Bateman.
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