Get rid of business cards you don’t recognize. They won’t do you any good. Get rid of business cards that advertise defunct services or companies. Save really nostalgic cards (e. g. the card for the restaurant where you got engaged), but set them aside.
If you like using a paper address book, you can transfer your cards’ information into that. You can also type the information straight into the Contacts feature on your computer.
A Rolodex is easy to add and subtract cards from, and its rotating motion makes it easy to scan through cards. However, it is big and bulky, and may add an unintentionally retro look to your desk. A business card holder is attractive and compact, with individual clear sleeves to hold each business card. Avoid having to reorganize the whole thing every time you add a new card by leaving several empty slots in each alphabetical section. You can also use drawer dividers to help keep your business cards divided in your desk. [5] X Expert Source Robert RybarskiOrganizational Specialist Expert Interview. 31 January 2020.
If you don’t have a way to organize your digital contacts yet, Google Contacts is often recommended, because it’s free, reliable, and works across a variety of operating systems.
Camcard scans physical cards and allows you to swap “e-cards” with other users. [7] X Research source Worldcard automatically sorts cards, and is available in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean versions as well. ScanBizCards allows you to keep a clear version of the image after you’ve noted its information. [8] X Research source
Copy your written notes out. If you’ve looked up the person since you met them, you can also expand with additional research. [10] X Research source
Some apps include a feature where you can make notes like this. You could use a numbering system or a green, yellow and red stoplight system, depending on your app.
Alphabetize by last name. Categorize by alphabetical order of name or company. City where you met. Category of industry.
If you’re having trouble keeping your cards neat, try designating a special pocket or folder for them. A rubber band also works, in a pinch. Never just hand over your card without asking–this can be seen as pushy. [13] X Research source Instead, say something like “I’d really like to talk to you more about what you do. Would you like to exchange cards?”
Don’t stick cards in your notes, or stuff them in a pocket. They might easily go missing, or even go through the wash. If you’re traveling and expect to receive a lot of business cards, you can stash them in a Ziploc bag in your hotel or briefcase to keep them neat and dry. Make sure the place you put new business cards is not the place you keep your own cards. You don’t want to mix them up. Wherever you put the cards right now is not a permanent place–remember that you’ll be removing and organizing them later.
If the card is glossy and you can’t write on it with a normal pen, try sticking a post-it to the card instead.
