Do you use an e-mail signature?
You know the "tag" on every e-mail with your contact info? Including your website and AR blog, etc.
You should. Why? Because if you rely solely on business cards for people to contact you you are relying on the "4 Miracles of a business card" as taught by Brian Buffini.
Miracle #1 The person can't lose your card.
Miracle #2 That person needs to have your card with them when they need to reach you or refer you.
Miracle #3 If that person does refer you, the referral can't lose it.
Miracle 4 That person too, needs to have your card with them when they need to reach you and not forget who you are. "Who's this guy and why do I have his card?"
I probably cut-n-paste more links to my online referral directory or e-mail signatures from peoples' e-mails in order to refer my service providers than I hand out their cards these days. But I never got to a networking event without 20-30 cards in my pocket.
With today's technology, most folks have a phone that gets e-mail, a tablet or i-pad, etc. Your info online today is as crucial as your business card used to be....and still is. I'm not by any means saying we don't need them. I give out $2,500+ per year, I know because I reorder that amount about every 11 months. But we need to support those cards by giving others many ways to find us.
Thomas, excellent post with very valuable information. Thanks for sharing.
I have my website, blog and QR code in my PRIMARY e-mail signature.....
Great post. I need to make sure I get all my ducks in a row for my signatures. I try to keep cards in both vehicles, in my wallet, briefcase et al, but sometimes I just don't have them.
I need to do better on this, thanks for the reminder.
A great point, Thomas! And it probably doesn't hurt to have an abbreviated version on your reply messages too.
Good points that I have failed to remember, thanks.
Good points Thomas. My email signature has a link to my blog and website and my cards have a QR code link to my blog.
Thank you for your views, comments and support. Jim great point, I didn't even consider QR codes-those are fast becoming industry standards too. Just want to keep you all referable-not "secret agents".