Business cards are a staple of networking and can play a big role in the development of your business. Despite their small size, they can serve as a great marketing tool, and since they are a part of an introduction, they are important for making a great first impression. By creating a sense of professionalism, these cards might also be great for increasing the credibility and legitimacy of your business.
However, there are right and wrong ways to hand them out and knowing the proper business card etiquette might be crucial. Even the most highly confident, eloquent, and well-dressed people can leave a bad first impression by practicing poor etiquette. To avoid jeopardizing your image you need to have a good understanding of how to properly present a business card, so here are some basic business rules you should remember.
Choose the right situation
You should never rush to hand out your business cards, even if you might be tempted to do so. It might leave a wrong impression during networking or talking with a potential client, and it might make you seem desperate or insecure.
As suggested by, www.justmetalcards.com, give your card when you are certain that the person you are talking to might want or need your contact information. If you have talked to someone about a business opportunity and you both agree about the need to talk further, this would be a great time to give them your business card and it’s the professional thing to do. Don’t forget to ask for the other person’s card while giving your own.
Of course, if an individual is interested in connecting with you after an event, they will surely ask of ways to contact you and this would be a perfect time to give them your business card.
Make sure their presentable
Keep your card in a cardholder to ensure that it doesn’t get crumpled or dirty. Since it represents you in a way it should be presentable to make a good impression.
Think about what information you have included on the card and what it says about you. It can tell a lot about your identity and professionalism, so you should invest in a quality business card with a well-thought-out layout, great color scheme, and quality material. The most common material used for business cards are three different types of cardstock paper, but if you want to take it a step further, you can even have them made from 0.5mm stainless steel.
Hand them with discretion
The right hand is considered the hand of discretion so you should use it when giving a business card. Even better, use both hands and receive a card the same way it is presented to you. Etiquette might vary from country to country, so inform yourself about the proper practice of card exchange when meeting people from other countries.
Never leave the house without your business cards
You never know when you will need to give someone your card, so you should always make sure to have a few copies with you wherever you go. Telling a person that you do not have one when they ask for it is extremely unprofessional and might also be a lost business opportunity.
Always make sure that the information on your cards is up-to-date and correct and remember that they should be exchanged at the start or the end of a meeting. No matter how well you dress or how remarkable your handshake is, lacking the basic etiquette when handing out your business card might make all your other efforts futile. By following some basic rules, you can ensure to leave a great first impression which can only lead to business success in the future.
Nicola Holder 