NordicBlonde Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 Wherever I go, people hand me their biz cards and ask me to call them, either for networking, dating, hanging out, etc. It's awkward cause the ball is always in my court, and I really don't know the other person's intentions. I literally have a stack of biz cards 5 inches thick. So I'm wondering if I should make my own biz cards (separate from my career, maybe for my side biz?) I don't like the pressure always being on me to make contact when someone shoves their biz card in my hand. Does anyone here do this? I don't feel this is the best way to date, make friends, network with strangers, but everyone around here does this. And there's often the nervous guy who makes random chat and drops hints, and sometimes I don't have time and I have to leave. Is it too forward to give someone your biz card?
genuinelyloverly7 Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 I like business cards, because then you can just whip it out if you do have to run, when it can take longer than the elevator doors to get your phone out and enter in a contact. You can also write a personal note on it for whomever your giving it to. Or not. I do understand that as a concept, it can get annoying when it is the first thing people do when they see you. Like, 'hi, I'm so-and-so, and I'm so important you'll want my card.' Blah! So don't let it be a nervous/protective gesture, or the first thing you do. But have it on hand as an easy way of offering yourself to a person. Or not. If you don't like the idea, keep a pen on hand to write your, or someone else's, number down if you need. If it personally motivated, I'd say get another card- you don't want potentially crazy exes having your work line and address.
salparadise Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 (edited) Business cards are long-standing protocol for networking and professional contacts. Not so much for dating and social situations, at least in my experience. Any man who is interested in dating you and believes that sliding you a business card is a way to put the ball in your court and get you to call and ask him out simply does not have a firm grasp on reality. However, if you were to reciprocate by jotting your cell number on the back of your card, then he'll know that's a green light to call you. If you're only interested in networking, exchange cards but don't write your personal number on the back. So if you're moving in circles where cards are exchanged routinely it make sense to have a card. If you have a side business in addition to a corporate job you should have cards for both. One important thing... resist the temptation to buy those gawd-awful office supply store cards, or the online equivalent. Business cards are an opportunity to reinforce a positive first impression, or undermine yourself by demonstrating that you have no taste or self-respect. Nice uncoated stock, classic font, tasteful design... otherwise, well, no card is preferable to a cheesy card. Edited October 7, 2014 by salparadise 1
Mirages Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 I had an older relative who had dating business cards. She is a complete social basketcase, has been for decades. Being so self absorbed that she hits on anything with flesh and gives a card. (I got one when she felt the need to give me contact info, and found it convenient). So, I feel it is more socially endearing to hand write your contact information on the back of a business card; even possibly one not of your own. So if your have a card for "ACME demolition contractors." or "Ukrainian consulate," on you, and you then write your name/info on the back, and a line thru the front, you have personalized the engagement: 1) your handwriting, 2) they are left curious why you have a card for a demolition company, or other oddity, i.e. they will think of you, makes conversation 3) the interaction is sufficiently unique that it is not assembly line material to get the date.
d0nnivain Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 I hand out business cards like water. If I want to do business with them I reach out. If I want to buy what they are selling, I call. If I want them to buy from me, I send a snail mail letter or e-mail if that was their stated preference for communicating. I wanted to date the man who is now my husband. I sent him a handwritten snail mail note. He sent me an e-mail but called upon receipt of my note to say how I really stood out.
MissBee Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 I'm not gonna call a guy who gives me his business card most likely. If we've been having a conversation and he wants to get to know me he can take my number too, but to just hand me his card and say "Call me"...no. I will reach out, usually via email on the card, for actual business/networking opportunities. I wouldn't shove my card on anyone and haven't had it done to me. It usually occurs within some kind of space where we have been speaking to each other at least briefly and decide to exchange the info, not just me walking and random people start shoving their cards in my face without any context. In non-professional contexts I'll usually ask the person near the end of the convo if they are on FB and will go ahead and add them using my phone and then later message them about coffee or something or I'll give them my number and they put it into their phone or we exchange emails. But if it's a more formal professional context, at the end you give cards and accept them and it's no big deal.
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