Give out your business card and indicate that you want to stay in touch before you leave a gathering or end a conversation. People will frequently respond by offering you their own business cards in return. Having a business card on hand makes you seem prepared and professional. Additionally, unlike a resume, business cards are simple to carry with you at all times. Continue reading to learn more about what details to include on your business cards and where to get them.
Networking With Business Cards For More Referrals!!
What to include on networking business cards
Include all necessary information when creating your business cards so that new contacts can get in touch with you. Additionally, experiment with adding a distinctive design element to make your business card stand out. You should include the following six items on your networking business cards:
Full name
Always include the name that you use in professional settings. List the name that is associated with your professional achievements, such as a pen name or your maiden name if you use it.
Job title
Next, include your job title. Keep in mind that you don’t have to list your current job’s official title on your networking business card. Instead, you can invent a position title that accurately describes your qualifications and objectives. You could write something like “social media and search engine marketer,” which more accurately describes your area of expertise, instead of calling yourself a “junior digital marketer.”
Phone number
Include your phone number so that prospective employers or clients can reach you. You could, for instance, provide your mobile number so that your network connections can contact you directly wherever you are.
Email address
Incorporate your email address so people can contact you online. Use a personal email address, but make sure it looks polished and professional. Try using a straightforward email address that only contains your name, such as “hannah,” as an illustration. smith@email. com. If your email address isn’t as simple, think about creating a new one so you can receive networking and professional messages. A simple email address is easier for new contacts to remember and use successfully.
Website or portfolio links
Include the URL of your website for your freelance work, small business, or portfolio on your networking business card. A call to action, such as “view my portfolio” or “learn more about my work in digital marketing,” can also be included. ”.
Summary or objective
Think about including a career objective or a professional summary on your networking business card as well. It works best if you place this section on the reverse of a two-sided business card because it usually only contains one or two complete sentences. You could say, “Digital marketer with experience in social media and search engine marketing,” for instance. Seeking challenging work from fast-paced digital agencies. ”.
Why are networking business cards important?
The ability to share your contact information and professional details with others in your field is made possible by networking business cards. They are lightweight and simple to carry around, allowing you to leave a lasting impression on your business contacts. You can distribute them at job fairs, industry networking events, or job interviews if you’re looking for a new position or new clients. You can hand out business cards at trade shows or at social gatherings if you want to increase your professional network.
Networking business cards are not issued by your employer, as opposed to the standard business cards that your company provides. Instead, you design them yourself, including the details that are most significant to you.
Tips for effective networking business cards
Consider the following advice as you create and distribute your networking business cards to increase their impact.
1. Aim for a simple design
When handing out business cards, you want them to stand out and leave a positive impression. However, you also want them to clearly communicate your information and introduce you. Use a straightforward layout when creating your business cards to achieve these goals, and leave lots of white space to avoid the cards looking crowded or busy. Your business cards will appear more professional as a result, though you still want them to be eye-catching and distinctive. To add visual appeal, for instance, you could use more than one font, type size, or text color.
2. Create separate cards for separate industries
When networking business cards are as specific as possible, they tend to be most effective. Consider creating unique business cards for each industry you work in if you freelance or work in multiple unrelated fields. This tactic allows you to emphasize pertinent experience without overwhelming clients or potential employers with too much information on one card. For instance, if you work in digital marketing and music production, print and distribute distinctive business cards to establish contacts in each area.
3. Use a call to action
Giving out networking business cards can be a great way to establish contact with a potential employer or new client. Try putting a call to action on your business card to invite new contacts to get in touch with you in order to advance that relationship. For instance, you could say, “Contact me about entry-level digital marketing positions,” to entice potential employers to call you about job openings. You can also ask potential customers to get in touch with you by saying, “Email me to arrange a discovery call.” ”.
4. Always keep your business cards handy
Keep your networking business cards on hand at all times after designing and printing them. You may decide to hand out the majority of your business cards at job fairs or official networking occasions. But if you keep a few business cards in your wallet, bag, or briefcase, you can hand them out when you run into an employer at a social gathering or meet a new client at a coffee shop.
5. Distribute two cards at once
Giving a new contact one business card might not be sufficient in some circumstances. Consider giving them two cards rather than one if you meet a new client or potential employer who has numerous other connections in your industry. Request that they distribute the extra card to a different employee who may want to get in touch with you.
6. Follow up with your new connections
Ask each of your new connections for a business card when you hand out yours during networking events. After meeting these new contacts, use the contact information on each card to stay in touch with them. You can carry on your in-person conversations over email to establish connections and broaden your professional network.
FAQ
What should be on a networking business card?
- Full name. Always include the name that you use in professional settings.
- Job title. …
- Phone number. …
- Email address. …
- Website or portfolio links. …
- Summary or objective. …
- Aim for a simple design. …
- Create separate cards for separate industries.
Do I need business cards for a networking event?
A career-focused business card is a good idea whether you are attending a job fair, career networking event, or meeting a contact one-on-one so that people you meet can easily follow up with you. Even if you are not attending an event geared toward job searching, keep business cards on hand.
How business cards can be used as a tool for networking?
Leaving a lasting impression at a networking event is simple thanks to business cards, which make it simpler for people you meet to connect with you and remember you after the event. Additionally, they force you to avoid making excuses when someone hands you their card and you don’t have any to return it with.
What are three ways you could use your networking business card?
Networking Possibilities Business cards can help businesses form alliances. Misner recommends visiting businesses that complement yours. To get your name in front of clients who have similar needs, ask the owner if you can leave some business cards. Offer to pass around the owner’s cards in exchange.
