Business Card Etiquette…The Rules

There are rules to everything…thats right, even handling business cards. Have you ever been at a networking event and exchanged business cards with people you’ve met. Well there is a right and a wrong way to do it. Here’s a few ‘rules’ of the b-card game….

General Business Card Etiquette

• Place the card you receive in a planner, notebook or business card case. Never place the card in a wallet that will be put in your back pocket. Doing so shows disrespect and an all around lack of organization on your part.
• Business cards are an internationally accepted means of presenting personal contact details, so ensure you use trusted business card printers, and have an abundant supply always on hand.
• Demonstrating good corporate etiquette is merely a means of presenting yourself as well as possible. Using professional business card printers helps you look your best.
• Make sure they are clean and crisp with no frayed edges or pen marks. The best method of keeping your cards in neat form is a business card case. With designs ranging from techie to artsy to formal, you are bound to find one that fits your style and personality.
• Business cards are normally exchanged at the beginning or end of a meeting.
• Good business etiquette requires you offer the card so that the business card content is face up and towards the recipient.
• When you first meet someone, it’s ok to request a business card from them. However, If the person is of a higher position than yourself, you should wait for them to offer their card to you first. Remember if they want you to have a card, they will give you one!
• Make a point of studying any business card you receive, commenting on it and clarifying information before putting it away.
• It doesn’t take a large convention to bring customers and business owners together. Informal meetings are one of the best times to network and exchange business cards. If the person you are speaking with seems interested in your product or service you represent, offer that person a business card.
• Only give one business card to your new contact. Leaving two or three may give the signal that you want them to make contacts for you which is tacky and unprofessional. Unless a prior agreement is made to exchange more than one card, keep the focus on person-to-person contact.
• During a meeting, place the business cards on the table in front of you in the order people are seated.

**info is taken from various sources online and interviews.