The most vital weapon in your networking arsenal is your business card. Without it, your new contacts and connections have no way of continuing their initial conversation with you. But sometimes your current card may not be appropriate. For example, if you are planning a significant change of career direction, or if you would rather NOT be associated with your current employer or company when making a first acquaintance, you may want your card to reflect this. In either case, you have another option: Networking Cards.
Today, you can create a customized Networking Card for your specific goal, be it a career change, post-college job search, entrepreneurial endeavor, fund raising effort or social outreach.
Unlike your business card, which features your employer’s/company’s brand, slogan and contact information, your Networking Card features YOU! It allows you to:
- Make the appropriate impact on any important new contacts
- Clearly state your personal selling points for your new contacts to see
- Share all your relevant contact details so that you can be reached at a later date
- Connect on a professional level without having to carry/give a cumbersome resume.
In a way, your networking business cards act like a mini resume to remind your contact of who you are, what you have to offer and how they can get in touch with you.
In addition to the obvious elements like your name, email address and telephone numbers, be sure to include professional qualifications (CFA, MSW, Esq.) if relevant to your goal. If you have a personal web site, a business web site or even a Linkedin URL, include it on your Networking Card. Also, don’t be shy about including several key skills and accomplishments.
Taking your networking card a step farther, you may want to develop a concise slogan or personal mission statement to express what it is that makes you different, or better than, your competition.
Today there are many low-cost options for designing and printing the perfect Networking Card for your needs. Whether you want to project an image of creativity, innovation or professionalism, you’ll find the perfect color, font and graphic combination, already in template form and easily customized. Check out some sample Networking Cards at Vistaprint http://www.vistaprint.com/networking-cards.aspx?&GP=3%2f14%2f2012+10%3a49%3a32+AM&GPS=2384253994&GNF=1&GPLSID=
I always find it funny when an out-of-work person hands a new connection their resume. It always seems so awkward and inappropriate. When I was unemployed, I created cards like you are suggesting in this post. They worked out so well. Can’t believe more people don’t go this route. Thank you for bringing it to everyone’s attention. Helpful advice
I second this advice and I’ll be passing it on to my own network.