I learned the importance of being easy to contact a couple years ago when I was at a now defunct Sprouter event and I had a conversation with one of the principals of an established digital media company. After our conversation I asked to exchange business cards and the individual indicated that he does not carry business cards. I guess this would make sense if none of your potential partners, prospects, or customers used business cards, but that wasn’t the case. You should make as easy as possible for people to contact you.

Business Cards are not Dead

As my story indicates there still is a demand for business cards. Mark Evans wrote an article about this in the Globe and Mail earlier this year. Business cards are relatively inexpensive. The other bad thing you can do is to not have business cards on you. I have some in my wallet, laptop bag, car, portfolio, and golf bag. You should always have one ready as you never know when you may need it. I did close a client I first met on a random Saturday afternoon golf round.

Understand that People Like to Connect Different Ways

People are different and one thing I have noticed over the last few years is that some people in business are better at communicating through many different channels. I regularly connect with people through the phone, text, Twitter, LinkedIn, Skype, and email. I would insure that you have tools to be able to leverage all of these communications channels. Once you find out how a customer or a prospect likes to connect use that as the primary communication method. As an example, I have one connection that never emails or calls, but is quick to return replies or DM through Twitter.

Make Your Communication Methods Accessible

I always laugh when I exchange business cards with a so-called social media specialist and they don’t have a Twitter or LinkedIn connections. Make your primary connection methods available on your business card, web site, LinkedIn profile, and in your email signature line.

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