I hope you run out of business cards at Connect SF '08. So, just in case. . .
By Daniel Rothamel, Inman Community Manager, Thursday, July 17, 2008.Bookmarking Sites
Needless to say, there will be a whole lot of networking going on at Connect SF '08. That is a very good thing. It also means that you should come prepared with as many business cards as you can muster. Jay Thompson gave us a little sneak peak of the amount of cards you can expect to come away with, and all of those cards lead to potential relationships:
I know that I had a similar experience to Jay. Not only did a gain a lot of cards, but I gave away a whole bunch, too. This, however, posed a bit of a difficulty for me. I can only carry so many business cards on me at any given time. I don't particularly want to lug around a big brick of business cards with a rubber-band around them. That's not cool.
But then, what do I do when my finite supply of cards is exhausted at the end of the day (or long night), and I meet someone that I would like to give my card to? I don't want to pass up the opportunity to have a fruitful relationship with someone just because I ran out of cards. That's not cool, either.
SOLUTION: DropCard
What DropCard does is very cool. It allows you send your contact inforamtion (virtual business card) to anyone's email address. Okay, so that might not be anything new. What makes DropCard different and valuable is that it allows you to send your information as a text message from your cell phone.
Now we're talking.
This is perfect if you don't have any business cards on you. All you have to do is sign up for DropCard and fill out your profile. Then, when someone asks for your information, simply send a text message to DropCard with the person's email address. BAM! DropCard will email your info to the person you just met. Very cool.
This is also useful if you have already exchanged info with someone you have just met, and you just want to follow-up with them to make sure they have all of your correct information. And since you can update your profile at any time, your contact information always stays current. No need for costly reprints!
Oh, and did I mention that the service is free?
I learned all about DropCard from a blog post by Joe Ferarra at Sellsius. Joe gave DropCard a full review, complete with screen shots. In case you want to get Joe to drop a card into your email, you can meet him at Connect SF '08, since he is on the fabulous roster of speakers.
So, I hope that you will bring plenty of business cards with you to Connect. And I also hope that you will meet so many people that you completely exhaust your supply. When you do, DropCard will be there to help.
See you in San Francisco!
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Submitted by Jay Thompson on July 17, 2008 - 8:25pm.
Very cool Daniel! Took five minutes, didn't cost a nickle. And now I'll never really be out of business cards!
Jay Thompson
Broker / Owner
Thompson's Realty
Blog: www.PhoenixRealEstateGuy.com
.
Submitted by Christine Donovan - Costa Mesa Real Estate on July 17, 2008 - 8:50pm.
What a great idea. Though I usually have business cards with me, occasionally I am out with the kids, at the gym, etc. without a purse and cards but not without my phone.
Thank you for the tip.
Website: Costa Mesa Real Estate
Blog: Costa Mesa Real Estate Blog
Submitted by Jay Valento - Long Beach Real Estate on July 17, 2008 - 10:18pm.
I signed up for the DropCard program...I'm sure that will come in handy because we run out of Red Wagon Team cards all the time...
Submitted by Derek Overbey on July 20, 2008 - 10:49pm.
Daniel,
I just signed up. So easy. It will come in handy next week as I plan on giving out all my cards in the first two days. Thanks for the heads up and looking forward to meeting you in SFO!
Derek
Derek Overbey
Senior Director of Partnership Strategy – Roost.com
Web - http://roost.com
Blog - http://blog.roost.com
Submitted by Salman Khan on July 21, 2008 - 7:25am.
This is a TEST Comment
Salman Khan
Salman Khan
http://www.google.com/
Submitted by Jed Lane on July 26, 2008 - 5:54pm.
Signed up for it the night of ReBar but never had a chance to learn how it works.
Gave out tons of cards and had a great time at Inman.
Jed Lane
http:www.FogCityGuide.com
Submitted by Christian Stogner on August 9, 2008 - 10:14am.
I will sure to be there! It would be great for me to converse with people that are knowledgeable the real estate market. Being in a new industry I am sure that I can learn from the pros.
website:
Tampa Mortgages
Submitted by Chirs Smith on August 27, 2009 - 9:43am.
sounds good, as a regular networker, I always need to have my business card handy. Sometimes I just don't have any, especially when I need it most
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Submitted by james lee on August 29, 2009 - 10:23am.
its all about getting relationships from Connect SF. I will try to get alot of business cards. The more good relationships you get the more your business will thrive. It is definitely a plus for your business. I will be looking for a ton of business cards.
Ontario Real Estate
Submitted by Alan Richards on November 7, 2009 - 2:35am.
This is an excellent service and idea. Having enough business cards on hand is always a worry at a big function or a convention that might run a few days. In our leadership training we covered this topic and ways to still have an impact even if your cards have run out or been damaged. Short of having one briefcase completely full of cards or a large stack that looks tacky and egotistical this service works really well and may be even more effective at times than a card. Some cards get tossed in the bin shortly after the conference is over, but an email when you get home or back to work can work wonders for sticking in people's head.
Leadership Training
Submitted by Alan Richards on November 7, 2009 - 2:36am.
This is an excellent service and idea. Having enough business cards on hand is always a worry at a big function or a convention that might run a few days. In our leadership training we covered this topic and ways to still have an impact even if your cards have run out or been damaged. Short of having one briefcase completely full of cards or a large stack that looks tacky and egotistical this service works really well and may be even more effective at times than a card. Some cards get tossed in the bin shortly after the conference is over, but an email when you get home or back to work can work wonders for sticking in people's head.
http://www.iperform.com.au/
Submitted by bendjamin stokson on November 13, 2009 - 6:31am.
sounds good, as a regular networker, I always need to have my business card handy. Sometimes I just don't have any, especially when I need it most
Submitted by sy sf on November 19, 2009 - 9:43pm.
Thats well said about the drop cards and the way it use is the vending machines does for our pirpose.
Regards,
Steve,,,,