5 Things You Should Do With the Pile of Business Cards From Your Last Networking Event

Make sure a promising lead’s business card doesn’t end up in the trash.

Question: What's the first thing you do with a pile of business cards from a networking event?

Add Them to My Contact List Using CircleBack

"Business cards are a great way to connect with people and a direct way to do so. So I add them to my contacts using an app called CircleBack by taking a photo. Then I review the information and reach out to them to build a professional relationship and see if we could work together."


Give It A Second Glance

"I always create two stacks of business cards - those from people who made a great impression on me, and those from people who just handed me their card because it seemed like something they should do. It sounds a bit harsh, but the first thing I do is toss out the latter of the two stacks. Then, I go through the former and research the people who handed them to me. Who are they? What do they do?"


Sort Through Them

"I typically sort through all my business cards to find people who I truly connected with. I send them a request on LinkedIn to connect. As for the rest, I typically save them in a plastic bag."


Reach Out Genuinely

"As the owner of a social media marketing company, I'd be remiss if I didn't connect with them on LinkedIn right away. Not with the generic, pre-filled message, but with a genuine note based on something I learned from our conversation the day prior. If there's an opportunity to work together, I'll usually try to set up a quick coffee date via email follow-up."


Keep Them as Physical Representation of Tasks

"I throw away any cards from individuals who I was unable to connect with (keep your CRM clean). The remaining cards are uploaded and categorized onto my CRM. The physical card represents a follow-up task which may lead to a new client, important contact, or nothing at all (update your CRM accordingly). Keep business cards of prospects who don't convert immediately but may in the future."


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5 Things You Should Do With the Pile of Business Cards From Your Last Networking Event

Make sure a promising lead’s business card doesn’t end up in the trash.

Question: What's the first thing you do with a pile of business cards from a networking event?

Add Them to My Contact List Using CircleBack

"Business cards are a great way to connect with people and a direct way to do so. So I add them to my contacts using an app called CircleBack by taking a photo. Then I review the information and reach out to them to build a professional relationship and see if we could work together."


Give It A Second Glance

"I always create two stacks of business cards - those from people who made a great impression on me, and those from people who just handed me their card because it seemed like something they should do. It sounds a bit harsh, but the first thing I do is toss out the latter of the two stacks. Then, I go through the former and research the people who handed them to me. Who are they? What do they do?"


Sort Through Them

"I typically sort through all my business cards to find people who I truly connected with. I send them a request on LinkedIn to connect. As for the rest, I typically save them in a plastic bag."


Reach Out Genuinely

"As the owner of a social media marketing company, I'd be remiss if I didn't connect with them on LinkedIn right away. Not with the generic, pre-filled message, but with a genuine note based on something I learned from our conversation the day prior. If there's an opportunity to work together, I'll usually try to set up a quick coffee date via email follow-up."


Keep Them as Physical Representation of Tasks

"I throw away any cards from individuals who I was unable to connect with (keep your CRM clean). The remaining cards are uploaded and categorized onto my CRM. The physical card represents a follow-up task which may lead to a new client, important contact, or nothing at all (update your CRM accordingly). Keep business cards of prospects who don't convert immediately but may in the future."


See Also: Meet Brooke Peterson, Co-Founder, Head of HR & Culture and Head of Business Development at Causely

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