This is a love letter to my coach colleagues.

Let me know if this sounds familiar to you: you pay someone to design you a logo, and you place an order from Vistaprint or Staples for the minimum number of 250, and a box of cards arrive on your door step. You savor the moment of unboxing this first set of cards, and perhaps think to yourself that this means you have a “real”business. You have business cards! So you shove a few in your purse or wallet. Now what?

Fast forward to a networking event you convince yourself to go to. You have a great conversation with someone and you’re screaming inside that this is your ideal client! They ask if you have a card, you hand them your card.

You get home and wait for that email to come through saying “It was so great to meet you, I’d like to hire you to be my coach!” …. and it never comes.

What happened?!

Here’s what I want you to consider – skip the business cards. I don’t carry them, and I proposed that really most coaches shouldn’t either. There’s a myriad of reasons people don’t reach out to you once you give them your card. Maybe they lost it, maybe they shared something personal with you when you met and now feel embarrassed to reach out. Or perhaps it’s on their “to do” list and they keep putting it off.

Regardless of the reason, I propose that it is way kinder to them and you if you skip the business card all together. Instead, when you connect with someone and they ask for your card, say you don’t have any, and take theirs.

Here’s why:

You can warmly connect and set the tone of how they meet your business.

This first touchpoint is the front door of your “shop”. How do you want them to walk in the door? This initial outreach email sets the vibe for how your brand is. When you have their email address, their business card, you can email them setting the tone you want to set. Are you welcoming and warm? Are you timely and professional? Approachable and authentic? You get to email them using the tone of voice that is authentic to you, and give this potential client the experience of being in your brand’s energy, right from the start.

You already give a taste of being their coach.

When you take charge and initiate the online part of corresponding, they see what it’s like to be engaged with you. It’s giving them a sneak peak of what it’s like to be held as a client of yours.

You have more control over your business.

You have more options of how you want to move forward. When you get their card instead of passing yours out, you can decide how you want to interact next. It’s a less passive way to engage. You can find out if they’re a good fit, or move on. This is a more empowered way you can take charge and have control over how you are growing your coaching business.

They feel seen.

It feels honored to be thought of and remembered. Your potential clients will feel touched that you cared to reach out and connect. It can be vulnerable for people to connect with a coach, and perhaps in your initial meeting they shared something special with you. You reaching out shows you see them, and sets a really caring tone for your partnership.

When someone asks for your card, think about what they’re really saying. They’re essentially indicating that they enjoyed meeting you, and want to learn more and connect. Nobody is miffed if you don’t have a card to give, they are just looking for the pathway to continuing to connect with you. Instead, ask for theirs. Or take out a piece of paper or your phone and have them share their email address with you. I always say that I’ll email them with my contact info so they have it as well.

This is all about being real people.

Really connect with them. Form a connection, as real people. That’s what you do with your clients anyway, right? Be you, lean into that coach side of you. Connect, ask for their email address, and send an email referencing that interaction. If you truly did connect and are a good fit – or at least have a kernel of a thought that’s worth exploring further, you should be able to say something specific.

I love meeting people and sending that first touch point email or text. Regardless of it if leads to us working together in a coaching capacity, connecting feels good.