If you read my newsletters and articles you know how important networking is for me and that I’m always giving tips to grow your business using networking effectively. When I start with a new client or if you get my program “Power of Networking Secrets”  the first 2 sessions are : 1. How to Choose Your Niche and Target Market, I talk about it on the newsletter last week and 2. How to Design a Memorable Business Card to Stand Out From the Crowd. Because your business card is your first marketing tool you want it to make the right impression. So I always mention ” Never leave the house without your business cards” because you can have THE best business card if you don’t have it with you it is useless. Since I do what I preach, of course I always carry my business cards with me.

Years ago, before teaching networking, I had the problem of going out without my business cards some time to time, especially when I was using a new hand bag. So today, I find the solution. I have about 30 handbags (I know, women we can be obsess with fashion sometimes) and carry 3 things in each of them: 1. A pen because you often need to take notes, well I do 2. Pills for my migraines, that can happen anytime, and 3. Business cards, then I just have to transfer my wallet from one bag to another depending on which one I use. Since I never leave the house without a hang bag I am always sure to have business cards with me and always ready to network.

Well almost, there is ONLY one place where I don’t take a handbag. When I go to the pool in my building! I didn’t think I would need one… until last weekend. As always on Saturday I went to the pool to spend the afternoon, one of my neighbors introduce me to one of his friends who was visiting for few days, his friend was from Switzerland so speaks French too. We started speaking about the weather, his vacation, and some bla bla until the question “And what do you do?” So I explained my consulting services for Europeans who come to start their business in the US or want to invest in real estate in Miami, mentioning how I build various networks and work with people like lawyers, bankers, CPA, real estate agents, mortgage brokers and other consultants.

He was suddenly very interested in since he was considering buying a condo in Miami, by the end of the year. So I happened to do a consultation while we were swimming, which was a first for me, but you never know when and where you will meet your next client. After two hours in the pool he had to leave, so of course he asked for my contact information and phone number. Guess what! I didn’t have my business cards with me and no pen and nothing to put my information down. That is when I realized that from now on, I will have my business cards with me EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME, even at the pool. Well lucky for me he was still there on Sunday, so I gave him my card the next day, still at the pool, but what would happened if I didn’t get the chance to see him again? I would lose a potential client.

Three days later, back in Switzerland he called me to start the process to help him to select and buy a condo.

So the lesson learned! NEVER EVER leave the house without your business cards. You definitely never know when and where you will meet your next client. Always be ready, to do business any time, in any circumstance. If others don’t have their business cards with them, you will be sure that you can give your contact information. People who need your product or service will be able to reach you, and more important you will never lose the opportunity to make a sale.

Need help with networking strategies? Check out my program, “Power of Networking Secrets” where I reveal my proven 7-Step Follow-Up system.

(c) 2008 Biba F. Pédron