In brief
- Before the event, check your profile and your card, and charge your phone.
- While you talk, talk first, then show how to read the card and see that it's saved.
- Take notes the same day, and write within two days.
At a fair or a conference you meet dozens of people; by the next day most of them are just cards in your pocket. A card's job isn't done when you hand it over: the other person gets in touch only while they remember why they kept it. These habits help your card do that job, paper or digital.
Before the event
- Check your profile. Are your title, number and links current? Put a link that fits what you'll talk about (a product page, a portfolio) at the top.
- Try your card. Tap it by and scan its with a friend's phone, and make sure your profile opens.
- Charge your phone. You'll be opening and saving other people's profiles too.
- Keep your QR code handy. When a crowd makes it hard to hold out a card, the QR code on your profile page can be scanned from your phone's screen.
While you talk
- Talk first, card second. A card means more as the outcome of a conversation. Find out what the other person does before you offer it.
- Show how to read it. "Hold your phone near the back of the card" or "scan the QR code with your camera" helps anyone who hasn't seen one before.
- See that it's saved. When your profile opens, suggest they tap ; "I'll save it later" is often forgotten.
- Name a next step. A concrete promise, such as "I'll send you the example tomorrow", keeps the meeting in mind.
After the event
- Take notes the same day. Write down who you spoke to and about what, while they're fresh in your contacts.
- Write within two days. A short, personal message that recalls what you talked about and includes what you promised.
- Use details for what they were given for. Contact details from a meeting weren't given for bulk marketing lists. There's more on this in Digital business cards and privacy.
If you're there as a team
With several people on a stand, everyone's card should look the same and give current details. Managing a team's cards from one place is covered in Digital business cards for your team. A QR code on a table card or poster at the stand helps at busy moments. Cards for companies are on the Avant for Teams page.
In short
A business card carries a good conversation forward; it doesn't create one. Come prepared, show how to read it, and write soon after. How NFC and QR codes differ is in NFC or QR code on a business card?; the cards are in the Shop.