Business Cards

What the heck do you do with business cards?

Business cards are thrown at you left and right at job fairs, conferences and meetings. How do you keep them all organized and not lose valuable contact information? Below are some helpful ideas to  utilize business cards given to you.

Storage:

Photo Album- When I get business cards I put them in a cheap pocket photo album I got for free when developing photographs.  I like keeping them in the photo album because it is easy to flip through, the cards don’t get damaged from the protective sheets and I can pull out cards if needed. You can pick up a small pocket, photo album at your local dollar store. The album is also not very big to take up space in my desk drawers. It is also easy to grab if I need to take it with me.

Online Address Books- Another method is after you get a business card, enter all their contact information  into an online address book. Gmail, Yahoo Mail and Microsoft Outlook all have address books available for use with their e-mail systems. It is easy to organize and access from the Internet.

Computer Document or Spreadsheet- You can also keep an electronic spreadsheet or Word document with contact information you get from business cards. Make sure to back up your files though, in case your computer crashes, you don’t want to lose all your contacts.

Cell Phone Address Books- You can even enter the information on your cell phone address book. It might might your contact list a lot longer than you might like.

Business Card Scanners- Business card scanners are also available such as from CardScan. I personally wouldn’t use the option myself because the other options free and this one is not. If you receive a large amount of business cards and don’t have time to organize them then, this option, might be worth it.

How not to lose a business card:

• Don’t just stick them in your pant pocket when you get them, it is easy for them to slip out.
• Make sure to put them somewhere secure such as your wallet, a purse or bag pocket with zipper where they won’t fall out.
• If you must put the business card in a pocket, put it in your inside jacket or shirt pocket. Place it with care and gently inside.
• When you get home put them immediately into your album, spreadsheet, cell phone, etc. before it becomes misplaced.

Business card manners:

• Do not enter the information from the card in front of the person who just gave it you into your cell, album or spreadsheet wait until you get home.
• Always accept the business card, never reject one when it is offered. You really never know when their contact information could be helpful to you.
• Always say thank you when given a business card.
• Provide a business card in return when given one. If you don’t have business cards or don’t want to release information, offer an e-mail address or to contact them by e-mail with your information.
• Never dispose of a business card in front of the person who just gave it you. If you really don’t want it, dispose of it at home but I suggest keeping it. After all, you never know what is coming around the bend and who you will need to talk to in the future.

What to do if you lose a card and need their contact information?

Google it. If you can remember their name or business name with city, you have a good shot of finding their contact information from the company Web site, a Web search results or even LinkedIn.

How do you store business cards? Is there any tips or manners surrounding business cards I missed? If so, please share them in the comments section.