Why You Should Carry Other People's Business Cards With You

If you are in business, you understand all the reasons why it is wise to carry your business cards with you everywhere. After all, you never know who you will meet, and when you meet people, you never know who that person is or who that person might know. With a healthy stack of business cards in your pocket or pocketbook, you are always ready to pass the card along to someone who might become 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. The practice of carrying around business cards that belong to others can be extremely beneficial; here are a couple reasons why.

When you are dealing in business, conversations with strangers are golden. Any opportunity you have to talk to someone you do not know might just be the opportunity you have been waiting for. But if a stranger thinks that you are starting a conversation with them strictly to sell them something, they are likely to be turned off. 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 with business cards that belong to others, you are always equipped with great conversation starters. Say you overhear someone in a restaurant 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. "Excuse me, but I heard you say you need a plumber; here, take this business card - it's for the guy we use on our house; we have always been really happy with his work!" In this way, you have opened conversation without trying to sell them something of your own. The conversation is sure to cycle back around to you, and to what you do for a living.

People are also inclined to remember someone who helped them out without receiving anything in return. As your conversation has turned back around to you, and to what you do, you will likely end up unloading one of your own business cards as well. This person is sure to remember you next time they need a product or service like yours, and you will have a new client or customer on your plate!

Carrying others' business cards might seem like nothing more than a small step, but it could just be the "small step" that turns into your next big thing.