Good advice
“Hey, C., I’ve just read that one should only give out their biz card when asked. This seems like horrible advice.” -D.
My client was right: that advice seemed horrible, because it was horrible. So much of handing out business cards is about making a real connection with someone, and to make a real connection, you have to step outside of your comfort zone. You have to speak first. You have to make eye contact and smile. Basically, you have to be a grown up and play nicely with strangers. On the other hand, if you decide that no, you’re only going to give your business card when asked…some people will ask you, sure, but a lot of potentially fascinating people won’t even notice you, as you patiently wait around on the edges of conversations (and life), mournfully waiting to be noticed, valued and asked. Don’t waste your own time like that; you don’t have that much time to waste!
I’m going to assume that whoever wrote that bad advice, is probably connected to 500+ strangers on LinkedIn, of whom he or she only truly knows 50. Barftastic.
You took the time to have business cards made up, so now take the time to give yourself an opportunity to meet people who might be receptive to receiving your cards. Half the time, people are so busy rejecting themselves, and deciding that no one could ever be interested in them, that real live people can’t even get a word in edgewise. I suppose that’s one way to live…if you can call that living.
You’re going to hand out business cards the way you live your life: on a case-by-case basis, when it feels right. You know when you make a connection, or when you want to make a connection, when you meet someone who intrigues you, and you want to stay connected. There’s endless amount of crappy business advice out there, so trust your gut and do what feels right. That’s how you’ll learn to make the connections, in business and life in general, that will change your business, and your life, in general.