What To Do with Business Cards After Networking Events
Do you ever come home from a business networking event with a pile of business cards, only to leave them on your desk to gather dust?
It’s okay—we’ve all been there!
Networking events are a fantastic way to make connections, build relationships, and find potential clients.
But here’s the catch: none of that matters if you don’t follow up!
This is part one of a four-part series designed to help you tackle an all-too-common business challenge: how to follow up after receiving business cards at networking events.
Why Good Intentions Fall Short
Let’s be real: we all start with the best of intentions.
You go to a networking event with high hopes, meet new people, have great conversations, and exchange business cards. You’re buzzing with ideas about how these connections could lead to opportunities.
But then… life happens.
You’re busy running your business, serving clients, and managing the day-to-day grind. Before you know it, those business cards are gathering dust in a drawer or cluttering your desk.
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone.
Common Scenarios Where You Collect Business Cards
Here are just a few examples of how you might end up with a stack of business cards:
- You attend a networking meeting with the goal of meeting prospects and building relationships
- You participate in a speed networking session at a business expo and come away with a pile of cards
- You run networking events yourself and are handed cards from attendees
- You attend meetups or industry events and exchange cards with new connections
In each of these scenarios, the next step is the same: following up.
Why Following Up Matters
Good intentions are great, but let’s be honest—no one is superhuman. There’s only so much time in a day to “do business,” which is why having a workflow or system to support your follow-up efforts is essential.
By creating a workflow, you can make follow-up simple, efficient, and even partially automated. This ensures that you can nurture the relationships you worked so hard to start, without adding unnecessary stress to your plate.
ACTION TASK: Start Organising Your Business Cards
To get the ball rolling, here’s your first action step:
- Schedule 30 Minutes Today
Block out a small amount of time in your calendar to focus on this - Gather Your Business Cards
Track down all the business cards you’ve collected over the past three months. Yes, three months—it’s long enough to give you a solid collection but not so long that connections have gone completely stale - Sort the Cards
- Immediate Follow-Ups: Are there people you promised to get in touch with but haven’t yet? Reach out to them ASAP
- Potential Prospects: Do any of these contacts have a clear need for your product or service? Add them to your follow-up list
- Long-Term Connections: Are there people you’d like to stay in touch with but who aren’t ready for your services right now? Add them to a nurture sequence or what I like to call an “eduseries.”
Pro Tip: Start Your Nurture Series
A nurture series is a simple, automated email sequence that keeps you connected with your contacts over time. It could include educational content, helpful tips, or insights into your industry. This keeps you top of mind without overwhelming your contacts with constant sales pitches.
Even high-level marketers and event organisers often struggle with follow-up because they’re busy growing their businesses. The key is to develop a documented workflow. Once you’ve done that, you can even outsource this task to a low-cost virtual assistant in the future.
Why This System Will Help You Thrive
Imagine this: instead of letting those business cards gather dust, you have a clear process for following up, nurturing relationships, and staying organised. By implementing this workflow, you’ll not only maximise your networking efforts but also support the long-term growth of your business.
The best part? This doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With a little effort upfront, you can create a system that works for you—whether you’re a solopreneur or have a growing team.
What’s Next?
In the next blog, I’ll share another actionable task to help you continue building your follow-up system. You’ll learn simple strategies to streamline this process, whether you’re handling it yourself or delegating it to someone else.
For now, start organising those business cards and taking action. Trust me, the time you invest in this will pay off in spades.
Final Thought
Document your follow-up process as you go. This simple step will not only help you stay consistent but also allow you to outsource the task in the future. Your business will thank you for it.
Let’s keep growing, one step at a time.
Stay Healthy and Happy!
#KeepGrowing
Lyndi
😊
Lyndi