Anyone in business understands the prudence of carrying business cards with them wherever they go. You never know who you will meet when you are out, and whenever you meet people, you never truly know who that person is or who that person might know. With a stack of business cards at the ready, you are always prepared to pass one along to someone who might prove to be a future client or customer. But while just about every businessman and businesswoman understands the how and the why of carrying around their own business cards, few of them ever consider the wisdom of carrying around someone else’s business cards as well. Carrying others’ business cards can be very prudent indeed, and here are just a couple reasons why.

Conversations with strangers are golden opportunities; as a businessperson, you understand this. Any opportunity you have to talk to someone you do not know might just be the opportunity you have been waiting for. But oftentimes, people will be turned off if they think you are starting a conversation with them strictly because you wish to sell them some sort of product or service. People are protective of their money, and they don’t want you to squeeze some out of them just because they were friendly to you! But you have a pocket full of safe conversation starters at the ready when you have others’ business cards. Perhaps you will overhear someone in a shop in the mall, talking about how they need a plumber. With your favorite plumber’s business card stashed away in your wallet, you are ready to jump into the conversation. “Pardon me, but I heard you mention your need for a plumber; here, take this card – this guy has worked on our house before, and he has been great!” In this way, you have now become a part of their conversation, and you never tried to sell them anything at all. At some point, the conversation will cycle back around to you, as they ask you what you do for a living.

Furthermore, people are far more likely to remember someone who helped them out without any reason to do so. Whenever the conversation does come back to you, you are sure to give away one or two of your own business cards. And this person will certainly remember you next time a need arises in their life that you might be able to fill, and you will have yourself a new customer.

This might seem like a small step in improving your business, but you never know what “small step” might turn into your next big thing.

@@ADSENSE@@.