Looking at a business card is also a great way for some of us to learn and remember names. I’m horrible with remembering names and I find it helps when I see them.

Just the other day I met a woman whose name was Gael. It was great seeing her name in print because I wouldn’t have guessed the spelling. When I asked her about the origin it led to a good conversation about her Gaelic roots and our respective times in Europe.

Like any tool, it’s how you use it and not the tool itself!

Funny enough I actually do find use in business cards at present however. Everytime I enter a store and see a stack of business carda I pull out my phone and start going through them, photographing the ones without websites. Those are immediate leads for a prospective web-builder. 😉
Of course it doesn’t mean I have one.

As far as networking, I don’t follow up as often as I used to. But when I do, I love the conversations had and the connections made.

I agree it takes months before full trust and a genuine relationship (biz and personal) is made. That question on contacting is instinctive to me. But, I really like connecting genuinely with people. So everything to me is spot on

I confess I went years without a card when I was semi-retired basically (doing research, not taking new business).

And, otherwise, I am “on it.” I’ve had clients start with me at weekend events. And, I trust I am in front of the right people at the right time and don’t have any rules about waiting. I’ve been told my card itself adds value. I love that. In fact, I really need to order more right now!

Keep up the great work!

We dutifully had business cards printed back in the 1990s when we started out. I threw out all but one box of them a year or two ago.

We kept one box only because people ask for my card once or twice a year, and it is a comfort knowing they are there, in the draw, just in case.

LinkedIn is a far superior way to stay in touch for my sector.