Most of all, though, think of YOURSELF as a brand ambassador for your company. Solution: make sure that your website, social media accounts, and blog posts tell your story. Business cards can tell a story about you, from the feel of the paper, to the colors of the text, to the logo and layout. When someone asks for your information, all you have to do is share it no more opening stuff to pull the card up.īranding. Solution: when going to a networking event, keep your Contacts app open to your card before you arrive. With a vCard, you have to open your phone, open Contacts, find your card, and then send it to the other person. With business cards, you whip them out and hand them to the other person. You get yet another “touch” that way, and your name appears in front of his or her eyes twice (and you still have their cell number). Solution: stay with the person and make sure they get your text and that the card opens. There is a chance that the vCard on your phone won’t open on the other person’s phone or tablet. Here are some things to watch out for and potential solutions:Ĭompatibility. It has some drawbacks, like with anything. With vCards, you can include all of your relevant information and keep it updated. You can either carry a pen and handwrite the corrected information (“how bourgeois!”), or you must order all new cards and throw away the old ones.
The worst part about paper business cards is when you move or change your number or your title. They can reach you whenever an opportunity arises.
When you text a vCard to a contact, though, all that person has to do is hit their screen a couple of times, and your information is stored in their phone. Wanna do lunch next week? I can give you a fresh set of cards, and we can do better about staying in touch.” The truth is, though, that business cards get filed and lost. “You know, I meant to call you last month on this new project, but I lost your card.” How many times have you wanted to throw something at the wall when you hear those words? You feel like saying, “lost my card?! Lost my card?! WTF do you mean you lost my card?” What you really end up saying is, “oh, ha ha. People are less likely to completely glaze over a text message. Is there a good time for us to talk?" More often than not, you will get a reply, even if to tell you they are not interested (hey, at least you know, right?). If he or she doesn't return an email or a call to an office number, you can send a gentle and friendly text message: "Hi, been trying to catch you. You now have an insider's track into that person. Immediately create a new contact card for that person on your phone and store this cell number. When you text your vCard to a new contact, you now have that person’s cell phone number (and many people still don’t put their cell numbers on their business cards). Let's face it: it's easy to ignore emails (errrr, "let them slip through the cracks" - ya, right). Most business cards contain office numbers and email addresses. I cannot emphasize enough the power of the cell number. You might ask: "But, Rocky, why? That sounds insane! You're drunk again, aren't you?" There's a method to this apparent madness. I have developed my own method of guerilla networking: no more business cards. But it sucks to have to remember to take cards with you wherever you go and then have to scan other peoples' cards or risk losing them. I mean, you can't blame people - there's really no obvious alternative. It amazes me that in this day and age of digital media and paperless offices, people still carry paper business cards. I never carry them and, instead, network by providing people with my digital vCard – you know, your “virtual card” from the “Contacts” app on your phone. The young woman was totally joking with me, of course, and we had a good laugh.īut the fact is that I no longer use paper business cards. “You’re giving me your v-card? But how? You’re married and have a child.” And that, ladies and gentlemen, was how I learned that young people use the term “v-card” as short-hand for virginity. I told that I don’t carry physical cards but that I could give her my vCard. A few weeks ago, I was at an event and met a young woman who asked for my business card.
0 kommentar(er)
