Business Tips: How to use business cards effectively

This is a guest post by Jane Heinrichs.

I have been on the road for the past few weeks, visiting international book fairs in Bologna, Italy, and London, UK. I met a lot of important people and it was difficult to keep everyone straight. Probably the biggest lesson I learned while networking with these editors, publishers, art directors and book distributors was how valuable business cards are.

I found that there were three steps to networking with business cards:

1. Have your card ready: When you meet someone, be sure that you have your business card readily on hand, so that you can discreetly give it to them at the appropriate moment. If you are an artist or designer, try to get your cards printed with a small image of one of your favourite creations. Make sure the card has your website, email, and phone number, and any other relevant information. Have you won an award? Put a short phrase on the bottom saying, “winner of the 2009 best knitter award.” You get the idea.

2. Ask for their card: Then, make sure you ask for the other person’s card. It may seem obvious that if you give a person your card, they will give you their card in return. But, it doesn’t always follow that way. Make sure you ask for their card, and if they don’t have one, have a notepad and paper ready so that they can write down their name and details. You never know when you might need to contact a bird expert, or a gallery owner, or any number of random people.

3. Write a few notes: Once you have finished your conversation, make sure you take a moment to quickly write down some details on the back of their business card. Did they mention anything important? That way when you get back to your studio or office you’ll remember who this person was and why knowing them might be beneficial to you. Write down the college they attended, projects they are working on at the moment, people they are friends with, and any number of small details. Also, write down when and where you met them.

4. Send a follow-up email: When you get home, send them an email saying, “it was lovely to meet you at [the craft fair].” Invite them to a show, offer them help, and form a friendship.

5. Start a collection: Collect all your business cards into one folder or one binder. That way you will never lose a contact, and you can always stay in touch!

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Jane Heinrichs is a writer and illustrator living between Winnipeg and London, UK. She has successfully started her own independent publishing company called “Wide Horizons Ink.” The first children’s book she published, “Magic at the Museum”, was short-listed for the Manitoba Book Awards “Best Illustrated Book.” Jane will be contributing bi-weekly business tips for CanArtisan