Guidelines for Business Cards and Preparing Your Small Talk

In the first installment of this 3-part article, we discussed networking events and how to ‘work’ a room.

In this segment, we’ll talk about business cards and preparing small talk so that you’ll be comfortable in a room of new possibilities.

CHECKING YOUR BUSINESS CARDS Before there were business cards, there were calling cards, and their function was very similar. Handing out business cards tells people your name, company and position, and in the case of an entrepreneur, what your business is and what it does, and gives them a way to contact you in the future.

Some people take business cards for granted. They grab a fistful before leaving their home or office, give some out if others happen to ask them for one, and collect other people’s cards in a jacket or blazer pocket, a purse, or in the deep recesses of their wallet. Some time later (a week to three years) and for whatever reason (usually a new purse or wallet), these potentially valuable resources surface again — dog-eared and well on their way to biodegrading from a visit to the cleaners.

This is not the purpose of business cards. The purpose of business cards is to give people a tangible, physical way to remember you and something they can type into their computer, PDA or even slip directly into a Rolodex. This is also how you should use other people’s business cards.

GUIDELINES FOR BUSINESS CARDS

1. Make sure that your name; your company name, and your phone number are readable. Select a typeface that is big enough and clear enough so the recipient doesn’t need a magnifying glass to read it. Make sure to include your e-mail and/or website address. Think of your business card as a mini-billboard that should take less than 5 seconds to read and understand the contents.

2. Devise a system for carrying your own cards and for collecting cards from others. Use a large cigarette case, with a baseball card to divide your cards from the ones you collected. Clip cards together by event and date. That way you can reach into your business card file box and – once you remember the event — you’re home free

3. Write a note on the back of the other person’s card — as soon as possible — to help you remember who they are. If the individual requests additional information or a service, I indicate that on the back of the card as well.

4. Bring enough cards. No one wants to take home a used napkin, even if it does have your name and address on it! The excuse that ‘I just gave out my last card’ is questionable and reeks of poor planning.

5. Never leave home without them! As Mom says, ‘You never know who you’ll run into.’ I keep business cards in my purse, every jacket I own, in my planner, and in my briefcase. Now you can also input the information into your PDA and just ‘beam’ your contact information to another businessperson.

6. Do NOT pass out your brochures. Brochures are meant for people who are genuinely interested in doing business with you. If there is a brochure or literature table at the event, by all means use that. Consider putting the content of your brochure on your website, if you have one, and direct potential clients to your website so that they can view and download the information at their leisure, and you save on printing costs.

7. If you want to give your card to someone but they have not asked for it, ask them for their card first. Most people will respond in kind, especially if you hold your own card conspicuously, as if you are ready to trade.

8. Avoid ‘sticky’ situations. Don’t reach for the buffet with one hand and your card with the other. Use a business card case so that your cards stay clean. A zip lock sandwich bag in a purse or briefcase works wonders for a quantity of cards that won’t fit into a case easily.

9. Pass out your cards discriminately. Not everyone should have your business card. Keep your own safety and sanity in mind. Ask yourself if you actually WANT this person to call you.

PREPARE YOUR SMALL TALK Some people cringe at this idea. They don’t like the notion of preparing conversation, and they say that small talk is trivial. I say, ‘How do you start a conversation with a stranger? With the war in Afghanistan?’ Hardly!

Whether the event is social or professional, there may be no special host to ease you into the room and help begin conversations. You may be on your own.

Small talk gets you through the challenge of ‘What shall I say next?’ It allows you to learn about other people. If you think about what has been said and then respond, you’re communicating. Small talk is absolutely essential; it is a way of finding areas of mutual interest.

You will walk into a room with a lot more self-confidence if you have at least three types of small talk prepared — light conversations that you can have with anyone you meet. An exchange of pleasantries will make everyone feel more comfortable.

In your small talk you might include a statement, a question, or a pleasant self-revelation. The topics might include a local sports team, something about the organization whose meeting you are attending, or even the weather!

You will have something in common with the people in the room, simply because you are attending the same event. It’s best to avoid controversial subjects like politics and religion, and you can probably find several areas of common interest if you look.

Being a good conversationalist includes being a good listener. Get people to talk about themselves and listen with your ears and with your face. Try to maintain friendly eye contact, but don’t stare, that could be considered confrontational.

Conversations are best when both people try to find common areas and are genuinely interested in one another. Serious discussions have their place, and you may enjoy deep, probing talk with your friends, but small talk can be a good way to break the ice and begin friendships.

Next issue we’ll continue this discussion of Networking as a way to build relationships with Easy Steps to Lively Conversation and using Body Language to effectively deliver your message. Until then, Happy Networking!

Dianne M. Daniels is a Certified Image Consultant, Color
Analyst and Professional Speaker, founder of Image & Color
Services, and the publisher of The Image & Color Digest, a
monthly ezine. Visit Image &
Color Services at http://www.imageandcolor.com. Email:
mailto:ddaniels@imageandcolor.com