The business card is one of the most used and least understood tools in business today. Whether CEO of a Fortune 500 Company or founder and part-time CEO of a web-based start-up, the business card is an effective communication and marketing tool. But like any tool, it must be used properly. The do’s and don’ts of business card etiquette, while not the key to wealth and success are helpful to prosper in a business or organization of any size.

The Business Card

If you work for a mid-sized to large company or organization, the style and format of the business card will have been decided for you. If you have your own company or organization, then keep the business card traditional in size and shape. Have them printed with all your key contact information in additional to you company or organization’s name, logo and tag line.

When to Carry Business Cards

Unless you are going swimming or otherwise actively engagement in sports, carry your business cards. Do no limit carrying them to work days, the office or business functions. Some of the best opportunities for business networking are at the least likely events or times.

How to Carry Business Cards

Some people carry business cards loose in their pockets or their purse. The best thing to carry them in is a business card case. These are available in metal and leather. I carry the leather one made by COACH and it has served me well. The metal ones are acceptable also as long as they are no bigger than the business cards.

When to Offer Your Business Card

Some people whip out their business card every time they meet someone at work or at a work related function. The best times to offer your business card are:

- When someone asks for your card.

- When you ask someone for their business card.

- At the END of a meeting with a client or potential client before they leave.

- If someone asks for your contact information (business or otherwise).

- At the end of an air flight if you have talked with the person sitting next to you.

- If you dine next to someone outside of your company at a professional or networking function (business-related), you may tell them that it was enjoyable talking with them and offer them your card as you shake hand and leave.

Business Card “Don’ts”

- Don’t give your business card to people who work with you. If you are that unmemorable you may need a professional coach.

- Don’t give your business card to people at a reception or networking function unless they ask for yours or your contact information.

- Don’t drop them in bowls for raffles as you will only be contacted by someone trying to sell you something.

- Don’t give them to others to hand-out for you.

- Don’t leave them on bulletin boards or in stacks at any place other than your own desk – and only then if you meet face-to-face with customers or clients.

- Don’t hand them out to anyone at a church service (social functions are acceptable) or at funerals.

Old Business Cards

Old business cards make great book marks and also work well for “to do” lists.

Business cards are both a blessing and a curse. Until everyone passes all contact information through technology, we will still have a tool called the business card. Know when and how to use them as an effective business development and communication tool remains essential to success.

A business card is a singularly powerful tool for self-advertisement. If lets you market yourself to a very wide audience without the hassle and prohibitive cost of newspaper advertising.

When you have business cards printed in bulk, however, be sure to get yourself a business card case. It’s crass to distribute your business card without putting them in a business card case first.

How to Distribute Your Business Card

Is there a right way to distribute a business card? Is there a wrong way of doing the same? The answer to both questions is yes. In distributing business cards, there is a right way and a wrong way. There is no right way of doing it the wrong way.

The Wrong Way: Distributing your business card as if you are dealing playing cards.

The Right Way: Never pass out business cards like you would pass around sheets of paper or playing cards. Keep them in a business card case. Additionally, present them in such a way that the recipient can read them right side up.

As the recipient takes a card from your business card case, make an effort to keep up polite chatter. If, on the other hand, you are the recipient of the card, comment as you take the card out of the business card case. Then, subtly, put it in your pocket.

When networking, remember to keep your business card case inside a pocket you can easily reach. It is not seemly to have to rummage for your cards while exchanging banters with high-ranking executives.

Keeping Up Appearances

Your business card is your advertisement. It should, thus, be representative of the image you are trying to get across. So, make sure they are never creased, wrinkled, dirty, or scribbled upon. To help your cards remain spotless and crisp, keep them inside a business card case.

Tips for Cross-Cultural Card-Giving

1. When traveling abroad, have your information printed in English on one side and in the language of the country you’re visiting on the other.

2. When giving out business cards in Asia, remember to use two hands to give and receive cards. Be sure to put the card that you receive on the tabletop, at least until the meeting ends. After the meeting, put the business cards you received inside a portfolio or a business card case.

3. If you ask someone for a business card, offer yours in return. The same rule applies for times when it is you who does the asking.

The act of exchanging business cards is as important as a handshake. After all, when you exchange business cards with someone, you trade not just contact information. You exchange the possibility of a future with each other in it. Do it with style.

I probably don’t need to tell you that business cards are an incredibly powerful way of getting your name in people’s minds.

There are several benefits to having your own business card the first being that it gives you a way to leave your impression on potential customers.

Are business cards for everyone? The simple answer: Yes. The more complicated answer: No.

Any business, at any level of complexity, benefits from business cards. But high-volume businesses typically rely on business cards at higher levels of the business–finding new suppliers, prospective employees, and other business contacts–than on the basic promotional level.

For a small business (with a much flatter organizational model, usually), business cards take on a much more vital role. This holds doubly true for skilled trades or any business that works on a client model, rather than a customer model. Customer-based businesses (from supermarkets to software concerns) benefit the most from having a large body of customers to place orders or come into the store, and business cards, for all their advantages, don’t do this as effectively as other forms of advertising. But for skilled trades and other client businesses–for example, graphic designers, efficiency consultants, and even in-home housecleaning services–rely less on a large body of customers than on a few local, trusted clients who’ll patronize the business, form relationships with the business, and provide references to friends and business contacts to allow the business to grow. Basically, if your business provides a service that a larger business needs, or that can be performed effectively for only a few local clients, business cards are essential for business success.

The other business model that benefits the most from business cards is Internet-based business.

Remember, when people leave your website, the majority of the time they forget you, your site and anything to do with you forever.

Having a business card keeps you, your business and your products & services in the mind of your prospects and if they ever have an associate ask about a service like yours, chances are they will recommend you.

Make sure you have cards handy at all times so you can share them with people who would like to have them.