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Business Cards are Going Dinosaur... Get with Social Media

By Max VanNatter

Title Insurance with First American Title

July 26, 2011 04:53 AM

Three years ago I’m sitting at a bar at a tradeshow having a diet coke. Sitting next to me was a very well dressed woman in her early thirties. I introduced myself, she did the same, and we started some small talk related to the show itself, attendees, and our background. It turns out that we were both scheduled to speak at the event that evening.

We had a connection.

We were interested in each other’s perspective and each wanted to know what the other knew. She asked me what my companies toughest sales challenge was. I responded, “Selling value at a price 40% above the competition”. She could hardly believe that we could pull off such a feat. Her biggest challenge was name recognition. She truly believed in her product but was having a hard time getting buyers to listen.

She expressed that she was eager to stay in touch with me and so I handed her a business card. She smiled and said, “That’s so 2000! I want to stay in touch with you, not add your business card to my collection of people that I’ll never get in touch with again.”

That’s when it me. Though I considered myself a social media user, I had failed to take advantage of what social media sites such as LinkedIn have to offer.

She already had her phone out and I pulled mine from my pocket. We connected on LinkedIn, an online business connection where my new contact and I could connect professionally and learn a great deal more about each other than what we ever could have from a printed business card. This new connection has allowed us to share more information with each other over the years than what could have ever been accomplished had she accepted my business card.

If your customers are interested in you, in what you have to offer, if they see you as someone that can help them, then don’t miss on the opportunity to enhance the connection by using social media. How many people can you add to your social network today? How many potential sellers and buyers could benefit from your knowledge and experience? Reach out to them today and increase your sphere of influence. Make your business grow.

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Judith Abbott

Coldwell Banker Residential - Dallas, TX

I am sitting here, at the updesk, thinking about your blog. I think you are right. What I am thinking about is how what I need to do is resist the life-long automatic reaction to hand someone a business card. Instead I need to retrain myself to get them to link to me somewhere.

Another interesting though about business cards....I recently saw a blog posting that talked about template low-cost websites as the Business Card of today.

Jul 26, 2011 05:01 AM

Krista Lombardi

Prudential Calfornia Realty - San Diego, CA

Good Morning Max, While I do agree with you on the importance of Social Media, I must admit that I often attend networking events where all we have to give out are business cards. Then the next day is when my assistant enters all my contacts and then we move forward to connect further with Social Media.

Jul 26, 2011 05:02 AM

Anonymous

Blair Thomas

Max, I think there will be one more step before the business card is extinct. I believe that QR codes or MS Tags will be used to link products and services with people and companies. With bandwidth coming down in cost and people wanting more information, a simple code will take the reaer to on-line videos and production descriptions that will tell their own story and make the experience a WOW moment.

Great topic....keep it up!!

Blair

Jul 26, 2011 08:35 AM

Max VanNatter

First American Title - Kingwood, TX

Blair,

Thanks for the feedback. I agree with your point that QR codes and other types of tags will continue to grow in popularity as they're a great way for consumers to learn more about products and other information.

I don't see a strong connection between QR codes and Business cards however. As I know you're well aware, the QR code is simply a tool that helps direct a consumer to a particular location on the web, whether that be a business website, a facebook profile, or a product page. QR codes (at least today) are product rather than people driven.

What the QR code does not do is create a permanent connection between two people. Exchanging LinkedIn or other social media connections on the spot, rather than exchanging business cards, creates a more immediate and long-term contact.

Thanks again Blair, hope Dallas is treating you right.

Jul 27, 2011 03:00 AM

Business Cards are Going Dinosaur... Get with Social Media

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