In parts of Asia such as Japan for example, how you present and hand off a business card is very important in a business setting.
Although most who read this might not be living in Japan, there are some transferable rules of etiquette which apply to business etiquette in the UK and America.
When you are giving someone your business card it is like you are giving someone a gift. You generally wouldn’t hand off a greeting card or package in the same manner and neither should you do so with a business card.
Chucking your business card to someone wont generally impress, unless you are attempting some trick shots https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVq0HdiM-Ok
Like a lot of things, a business card will give people an idea of how you might conduct yourself professionally.
If you have no reputation or history behind you as a business then people can only judge you by how you look.
If you have changed your contact information then it is best to order a new set business cards as soon as possible.
This is because if your business card has information crossed out and corrected in pen then people will judge you by how your card looks and if it makes you look scruffy and unprepared then it sets the tone for how you will conduct yourself professionally.
The point of a business card is to connect with someone, but how well do you connect with them if your business card is unsolicited?
Pub, park, reunion party - wherever you are is an opportunity to hand off your business card, but do you want to communicate that you are willing to do anything for business?
People decide on whether or not to connect with you based on whether they need or like you. If they know you as someone who will push your business on anyone and everyone then even if they need you, giving them junk mail won't mean they necessarily like you which will hurt your chances of obtaining business.
More people seeing your card means more chance of business, right? Wrong.
If you only hand off a business card on the off chance of being needed or receiving a referral then you are doing it for the wrong reasons.
The reason you should be handing your card off to someone is because you want to open a dialogue with them and make them like you enough (within reason) to buy or refer business your way.
Think first in terms of how you can practically help someone in terms of providing value with advice (which may mean buying from you) or referring a friend (helping) and they will naturally want to buy from or help you. Or even if just a few minutes of friendly chatter is all you have to offer then that can be a valuable gift to someone for any number of reasons. You never know who the person you’re talking to might have in their network and so taking an actual real interest in them can open untapped possibility which you might not otherwise get if you don’t go beyond just handing off your card.
If you work with people you have to meet abroad then I would recommend printing one side of your business card in English and the other with the primary language in use for the majority of people you are doing business with.
Even if you expect that everyone you meet will know English, that doesn’t mean the person it will get passed onto (e.g.: executive or referral) will understand enough to be able to read your card. It’s also easier to read something in your native tongue which is why printing your cards in more than one language also communicates that you are courteous and considerate. Isn’t that how you want to communicate you would conduct your business?