on business cards and networking…
still stuck in texas with nothing to do, i’m finding myself frequently staring out into space pondering everything from “why am i still here” to “i wonder when i can stop stuffing money under my mattress and invest again?” to put it mildly, i’m really fucking bored!
i got an invite the other day to a panel discussion and networking event for the future of black gay men in new york city. i’m both excited and shaking my head for several reasons, but what i wanted to address here is the topic of business cards- specifically, what to do with those that you receive.
over the past year or so, i’ve given out an obscene number of business cards and have gotten plenty from people that i’ve met at various social events. of the cards that i’ve given out, i’m not sure how many people have actually visited my website or looked me up online, but i do know that no one has contacted me- either by phone or email. and when i think about it, of the numerous cards i’ve received, i have yet to make contact with anyone. so the huge questions that now lie before me are, “what’s the point?” and “what’s the deal?”
i remember when i was an inroads intern in college, we were schooled on the art of exchanging business cards and proper follow-up. we were taught to pass out as many of our own cards as we possibly could; and for those that we receive- wait 3-5 days and then follow up with a phone call or email to keep the connection alive. apparently, all that knowledge just went to hell; ‘cuz although i’ve passed out a bazillion cards in my day, i have yet to follow through on any card that i’ve received. but then again, so has everyone else.
when I think about my own inconsistencies when it comes to the art of networking, i know that there are 2 things that prevent me from reaching out to anyone I meet. for starters, when at these events, i’m too focused on my goal of getting my name out there to as many people as i can to even care about anyone else or their business. it’s all about combing the room as many times as i can- stuffing cards into the hands of anyone within arms reach i’ll make small talk as best i can, but once the conversation lulls and the card exchange is complete, i’m out. second, when i think about reaching out after the event, i get stalled in never knowing what to say. i get weird around how to reintroduce myself (although, it’s pretty easy to say, “we met at _______”), and even more frustrated with what to say afterward. plus, not hearing from anyone i introduced myself to leads me to believe that they weren’t interested anyway.
my goal is to step up my game at this upcoming black, gay community event. it’s definitely time for me to start pushing myself a little harder and further when it comes to expanding my network and generating buzz around my business. i’ve got the whole passing out business cards thing down pat, so there’s no worry there; but i do have to make more of an effort to really listen to what others have to say about themselves and their businesses when in conversation with them. then, i have to take the additional step of reaching out to those that i meet- reintroducing myself, further opening the lines of communication, and extending an olive leaf branch of friendship, and/or project partnership. i’m sure it’s a lot easier than i’ve previously thought it to be. i just have to open myself up to business other than my own, and people outside of my existing circle.
this event (on october 29th at the lgbt center) is actually a perfect place for me to give it a try. everyone in attendance is in one of my target audiences, and i know several people who plan on being there. i have no reason not to network my ass off. i’ve got the skills, the smile and the platform for great conversation- now, it’s all about applying myself. wish me luck! 
btw… for more information on the event called “The Future Of Black Gay NYC,” check this out:
One response to "on business cards and networking…"
I just want to say, I find that absolutely true. I’ve done the “passing out business cards with small talk” thing many times and have never really formed any good connections from it. Eventually I developed a more personal strategy, so I get my card/name out to fewer people in the room, but I try to be more interested/interesting in conversation and build an actual rapport. I’ve had better luck that way so far, and the connections I have made are far more valuable. So, I too heard the advice of just getting as many cards out as possible, but I have to disagree with it for the most part. Quality over quantity.