- Do not print your business card in brown ink on toilet paper.
- During a meeting, do not sling the business cards you've been given into the wastebasket, raising your fists over your head and mouthing "score" each time one goes in.
- Do not use a business card to snort coke off the conference table during the same meeting in which it was presented to you.
- Do not hand anyone a business card on which you have doodled pictures of knives and hangmen during a telephone conversation
- Do not scribble unflattering physical descriptions of a person (e.g. "Buck teeth, bad suit") on his business card as an aid to memory
(From Online Message Board)
Business trips enable you to attach yourself with the culture of other peoples, as well as the peculiarities of business communications of other nations. An experienced business traveler pays great attention to foreign business customs, knowing that in some countries (especially Asian) the manner of giving and accepting business cards affect the course of any deal to the great extend. Hardly will you be a success if you failed to impress your prospects with your politeness. In the same time, showing that you are reliable, honest and polite businessman you pave the way to excellent cooperation.
Although in U.S. business card etiquette is not as strict as in Asian countries you should be aware of some important aspects of it all the same.
Here are the tips that can help you avoid awkward situations and produce positive impression:
- Wait for a request for your business card from a person of higher rank.
A conference where there are many superiors you want to get acquainted with is not a competition of high-speed business card distribution. So it would be more reasonable to wait for a superior to present his business card or the request to give your glossy business card. You should show that you appreciate their time, and eventually it may result in prosperous cooperation.
- Have a stock of recently printed business cards.
Having lost the opportunity to present your business card to a very promising prospect, you won’t be able to get by with a lame justification like ‘Next time I won’t forget my cards in the office’. That is why it is necessary to have extra business cards with you, just to be on the safe side.
- Choose the best moment to act.
Yes, it is very important to distribute as many business cards as possible. However, do not underestimate the timing. Imagine how rude you may seem if your prospect chatting with other people he is interested in is interrupted by your suggestion to accept your embossed business card. Or, for example, your prospect is too busy accepting business cards from several persons at the same time; should you join the line? If you cannot win a minute of your prospect’s attention, your card is likely to be forgotten. Try hard to show your politeness and openness to your potential client.
When offered a business card say thank you and present your card in return.
Note, however, that before formal meetings it is a common practice to exchange your business cards for cards of all businessmen present. This ensures that everyone in the room knows each other’s names and can result in better cooperation.
- Show that you are interested
The persons who presented you business cards are your potential clients or partners, so it is important for you to make them remember you. For the sake of lasting impressions you can make some comments on the line of business the owner of the offered card is in, ask about products or services he/she offers or even praise the design of the business card. Comments like that can develop in a good conversation and your prospect will be able to see how much you appreciate his business. Warmest “thank you” is something that cannot be omitted in the conversations of the kind.
U.S. business card etiquette in comparison with the etiquette of many other countries does not restrict you in everything connected with writing on business cards. You can write some important information such as cell phone number or email address on a business card and it will not be considered rude. To the contrary, it may add some extra value to a business card you received or going to present.
- Don’t exaggerate!
It is really great if you have enough best business cards with you, because you can come across your prospects not only at conferences, but anywhere. If you are attentive, you can find potential customers at a baseball much, shop or bank. But don’t let yourself be occupied with such matters when attending religious ceremonies, funerals and other places where people refrain from making business. Sending to your customer’s letters congratulating them on childbirth or marriage do not include business cards.
Try not to offend your potential customers by offering your business cards on such occasions, or you may seem rude and heartless.
- Keep cards clean and crisp
That is clear; however make sure your business cards are as clean and neat as they were when you received them just printed from a printing company. Dirty, faded, worn, inexpensive business cards suggest that there are holes either in your business’s budget or in the marketing plan of your company.
In order to prevent your cards from wearing out, purchase a card case. This thing isn’t expensive, but very instrumental when it goes to preserving the look of your business cards.
- Necessary Information
It's important to have a few essential details on the business card. Your professional name, as well as your direct email address, should be included on the card, as well as the phone number for your business and your direct line. The full address of the business should also be printed on the business card. If any of this information changes, the business cards should be updated immediately, as old details on a business card can denote a lack of professionalism.
U.S. business card rules are clear and simple in comparison to other countries. Being lax, however, they can be violated and cause unpleasant consequences. Follow the guidelines above and feel safe next time you exchange your business cards.
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