Business Cards - How many do you hand out?

I’ve been thinking about this topic for a while. I read an article today and it made me put my fingers to the keyboard.

Simply put: Do you hand out your business card willy-nilly or hold onto them and give them out to qualified people?

The printing companies out there will say, shout even, that you hand them out to everyone you meet, in fact give them two I hear them scream! So I’ve thought on-the-fly of some pros and cons of handing out your business card.

Pros for Giving away Business Cards
1. You won’t get business with business cards sitting in a box
If your card is in the public domain, there is a greater likelihood that you will get business.

2. You just never know
People might just LOVE your logo, will be so impressed with the design of it that they’ll see you in a new light. Some people aren’t consistent with their brand and after all, it’s your work, your competence not your selling skills that people are buying.

3. They are a crutch
Some people are very shy at networking events so handing out a business card could help the talking juices to flow.

Cons for Handing out Business Cards by the Handful
1. Who cares?
You could give two cards to a prospect while saying “give one to a friend/colleague/favourite business person.” But those two cards could sit on a desk for years. Take a look at your own desk - have you got business cards from networking events that are gathering dust?

2. You know it’s a quality lead
If you have a policy of being selective with your business card, then you know that the person you are conversing with is a person you want to follow up with. There is a need there or a potential mutually beneficial relationship could be created. You walk away knowing the night was a success.

3. er……

Well I’m trying to think of a third one. I’m not in either camp - I’m very much sitting on the fence on this one.

So what do you think - Hand them out as if you’re giving away free money or hold onto them until the right person comes along?

Let me know.