subject: Who Should You Give Business Cards To? [print this page] You might have gotten your business cards made in abundance, but that doesnt mean you have to go around giving it out to every Tom, Dick and Harry you come across. Being smart about who you give your business card to is quite important in making the most out of it.
Here are the key groups of people you should usually give out your business cards to.
Potential and Existing Clients
This is a very obvious group of people to be receiving your business card. Not only does this give all contact details to a client (which you must have, hopefully, included in your card!), but it also leaves a professional image of yourself and your company. This can be quite instrumental in getting more business for the company. If theres one group you should be generous with when it comes to business cards, it is your clients.
Industry Peers
Often, professionals go out to attend seminars and conferences for a particular industry. The networking opportunities at such events are colossal. Its a great idea to share your business card with other people in your profession who are not in your company. This helps develop your repute in the industry, makes people identify you with a particular profession, and can be quite useful when you need some help or advice from someone in the industry.
Company Executives
Now we dont mean you run up to the CEOs office and just shove your card in his face. You have to be very tactful giving out your business card to a senior executive in your company. First, identify opportunities of interacting with them, such as at the companys annual dinner or your divisions monthly meeting. Next, make a good impression on the executive with an intelligent insight or a great idea. Finally, give your business card to seal this good impression so the CEO knows the name of the clever girl who made that great proposition. Who knows, you could be up for a promotion in your next appraisal!
Family and Friends
No, your 6-years-old nephew is not amongst people we meant. Give out business cards to friends and family asking them for referrals to get more customers to your business. At times, someone in your family may be a potential client too, or perhaps a friend would actually like to hire your services or strike a deal with your company. Dont discount family and friends as just a casual social group as there can be some key business stakeholders in this group too.
Be wise and smart about giving out your business card and hit the nail on the head by giving it to the right people.
