Business card etiquette in America is considered relaxed compared to other countries. But there are still unspoken rules and expectations when it comes to exchanging business cards. After all, giving someone your business card is often the beginning of a new professional connection. You want to be respectful and polite. You need to know how to hand out business cards in a manner that always sees results.
Custom business cards are far from obsolete. They clearly communicate specific information, including your contact information, like your work phone number and email, as well as your job title and company. The business card design also conveys unwritten information about your personal style and business approach. A minimalist style indicates a traditional business person, while a geometric design might indicate a more creative approach. Business cards can also be mini portfolios, and they can direct people to your online presence. This opens the door for further connections.
But making a good impression starts with having a professional demeanor at networking events, such as trade shows and conventions; it is key to making a great first impression for you and your company. A friendly smile, steady eye contact, and a firm handshake will get you pretty far. Still, you need to nail the handoff. Just walking up to someone, giving them your business card, and leaving is not going to work out. Business card etiquette rules cover how to establish a connection that actually makes your business card an effective networking tool.
Since the way you design and deliver your business card can either impress or confuse potential contacts, we’ve made a list of worthy tips on business card etiquette that will keep you steps ahead of the game.
Business Card Etiquette
1. Choose an Appropriate Style
Depending on your profession, you can choose from a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles for your business cards. Keep your profession and audience in mind; for example, if you work in financial services and travel internationally, you should consider a standard North American or European business card size. An American business card is 2” x 3.5”, and a European business card is 2.17” x 3.35”. If you’re in a creative field, you may consider unique business card sizes, such as a square business card or a round business card.
Whatever field you’re in, make sure your business card is in pristine shape. People will undoubtedly judge you by your business cards. It begins with the design. Does the art style look outdated? Does it feel appropriate for your job title? But the physical quality of your business cards matters too. Don’t hand someone a crumpled, bent, or stained business card. GotPrint prints business cards on premium paper stocks, ranging from our 14 pt. Glossy business cards to GotPrint’s signature 38 pt. Trifecta business cards. Potential clients and customers will instantly feel that you’ve invested in high quality business cards.
If you’re in a more formal industry (such as financial services or the legal field) or if you’re a younger professional, stick to a classic style: don’t veer away from standard sizes and shapes. This will show that you’re professional and respectful of tradition. If you’re an artist or creative professional, feel free to display your creative mindset in the colors and fonts.
2. Say Enough — But Not Too Much
Your business card should have all of your professional contact information, including your first and last name, job title, company, website, phone number, and email address. Make sure everything is easy to read, regardless of your field; consider font types, sizes, and colors, and how the text stands out from the design background. Here’s how to find the right fonts for your business cards.
If you’re in a creative field, include a URL to your portfolio, website, and professional social media accounts. Use a business card QR code that can share several links at once.
Don’t hand out business cards with outdated contact information. Having to cross out old information to write in new info looks sloppy and unprofessional. Print updated business cards prior to any important event. Not sure how many business cards to order? Here’s how you can place a business card order with confidence.
It’s a good idea to include a description of your business when necessary. If you’re a wedding photographer, for example, you may not need to go into more detail, but if you’re a business consultant, you’ll probably need to say more. In a few words, describe your areas of expertise; that way, when you hand out your business card, no one will struggle to remember what you do — it’ll all be right there. The backside of your double sided business card is an excellent place for this.
3. The Right Time and Place
Sharing your card at the wrong moment can ruin your business connection before it even begins. If you’re in a business meeting, aim to hand your card out toward the beginning. Chances are they will hand you theirs too; that way you both can get in the habit of learning each other’s names and titles right off the bat. If you establish that familiarity from the get-go, then you have a greater chance at building trust and at securing that contact/connection.
If you’re at a trade show, convention, or other networking event, then the exchange might be a bit awkward to introduce. Typically, it can be done as the conversation winds down. There are two casual ways to approach this. One is asking for the other person’s card. A simple, “We should connect again soon. Can I get your business card?” does the trick. Alternatively, you can offer to give them your card. Say, “I have to run, but I’d love to chat later. Here’s my business card.” Most people will give you their card as well.
Handing over your business cards outside of a work function should be avoided for the most part, as it is considered tacky. Unless you are discussing business and networking with a potential connection, giving out your business card at the wrong time and wrong place could be a reputation killer.
This may seem obvious, but be polite and friendly when handing out your business card. Don’t force your business card on someone who clearly isn’t interested in your conversation or business. Similarly, don’t hand out your business card to every single person you see at an event, especially without any additional conversation. It looks desperate and inauthentic.
4. Storing Your Business Card Properly
Keep your business cards in a holder or case, so that you won’t hand out damaged or stained business cards; it’s disrespectful to whoever is receiving your card. When conversing with a potential client or contact, have your business cards in an easily accessible location.
If you take too long to retrieve your business card from your purse or briefcase, the potential contact may become disinterested — or worse, excuse himself or herself from the conversation. A long delay in handing out your card ultimately ruins the great impression you’re trying to make.
You may want to consider investing in a business card case for this reason. They are not very costly and will assist in keeping you organized when it comes to both passing your card out and putting away a card you just received.
5. How to Receive a Business Card
If you are exchanging business cards with someone, take a moment to look at the other person’s business card before you put it in a safe location. This shows respect for the other person’s business card.
You should also get in the habit of handing your business card out with your right hand in order to show good manners and impress international business clients who find this gesture respectful. Prior to any meeting with international clients, brush up on the local business card etiquette.
Remember to also compliment business cards when appropriate — odds are, this person put as much time and effort into his or her card as you did with yours, so your compliment will be remembered and appreciated.
Make the effort to follow up with the other person via their preferred method of contact (whether by phone, email, LinkedIn, or a social networking site); depending on the profession and the situation, you might wait a few hours before following up, or a few days.
