April 2011 What to do with business cards you collect from networking? When you're in any kind of business, you often collect business cards from networking events or even collect cards for the local business and services you frequent regularly. Here are a few tips of what to do with your collection. If you want to spend some money, invest in a Neat Receipts gadget which will scan your business cards as well as take you to the next level of organization if you are hoping to become "paperless" as it will scan in receipts for purchases you can review and organize come tax time. If not, get a 3-ring binder and a few packages of clear business card pages from a local office supply store. You might want to also get a package of colored tab pages to separate events so you can remember the circumstances of meeting a particular person. It's also a good idea to write down any pertinent information about the meeting on the card for your future follow-up. A rolodex is another option or a Contact Management program on your computer although the latter is very time consuming. Choose last name or by category (and then stick with your pattern) if the rolodex is your simple solution. Use the blank rolodex cards to write down names of friends/acquaintances/service recommendations from friends/doctors/etc. that you might otherwise write down on a scrap of paper and then misplace. Don't just organize your cards, but act on them! Add the names to your e-newsletter. You should have an opt out option so they can choose to leave your list, but they may very well be interested. Call to follow-up. This is where discipline comes in—especially if you're in sales—and the life blood of your business. Give yourself realistic goals of following up with 5 names from each event you attend even if you've collected more. I see it happen a lot that a person in sales get too overwhelmed with all the prospects. Limit yourself to realistic objectives during your busy day. And, take time every year to purge cards you know are of no use to you so you have room to store cards you'll collect in the coming year. After a year, if your system isn't working, then try a new one. I hope these tips were helpful!