Reasons Why You Should Have A Professional Business Card

you wish to end. Asking for a card can be the perfect segue into a conversation ending phrase like, "It was nice meeting you".

I recommend you never offer your card first. But if you are asked for yours you should always ask for theirs. If you don't have one when they ask it will be awkward to ask for one back.

If you still need more proof, here are a few more reasons to always have a professional business card with you (a personal card of your own by the way, not someone else's).

1. People still ask for them and without one, you appear to be unprepared. There's simply no way to overcome a bad first impression.

2. While younger people may not value them, older people and those from other countries do. It is important to remember everyone does not follow the same standards you do. You need to be sensitive to the expectations of others.

3. You can write notes on your card that will be a reminder of where you met or a prompt to follow up. Familiarity breaks the ice and often leads to follow up.

4. A professional card permits you to provide added detail about your business. You can add testimonials, social media links, slogans and more to your card to further market you and your business.

5. People rarely throw business cards away. That means your card will remain with your prospect or contact for a very long time.

So yes, you still need a business card and it should be a good one. Skip the freebies and home printed ones and spend a few marketing dollars on one that is professionally crafted to match your brand. And if you don't have a cohesive brand, this is a great place to start.

So, what did I do when I found myself unprepared? I told the truth. I didn't make up some better-than-everyone-else story about how I don't carry cards or they're bad for the environment. I confessed. And then I did the next best thing. I pulled out my phone, asked for his information, and promised I'd follow up.

This gave me the only opportunity to overcome a bad first impression. And yes, I followed up and got the order.

The equation is simple: Family + Entrepreneurship = Economic Freedom.

Glen Gould is a professional speaker, creator of multiple million $+ businesses, and personal and professional development author of four books.

Glen has generated 100s of millions of dollars of revenue for the companies he has built and the clients he has served.