I’m all about collecting.
Over the years, I’ve collected bright vintage Pyrex bowls, fountain pens, anything our grandkids created, books, and even galvanized houses. Since our most recent move, however, my desire to collect has decreased (except for the grandkids creations, of course.) Moving has a way of doing that to a person.
But when I attend conferences, I enjoy collecting business cards.
Not for collecting sake, though. I request cards to remember the people God brought across my path. This year, I prayed for “holy introductions”, as Torry Martin calls them. You know, those unexpected run-ins and sit-bys. Like, Cheryl Crofoot Knapp, who I sat by at dinner, patiently waiting for the faculty member to arrive. And then there was Catherine Finger, whom I sat across at the Clouds Cafe. I thought I was there to catch up on emails but God had something different in mind. He always does, thankfully.
So, what do we do with the business cards we collect?
5 Ways to Connect {and Bless} Those On the Business Cards We Collect
{1}
This is not my idea. Someone at our conference (whose name was not shared) suggested it. But it was too good not to mention: Put them in a bowl when you return home, choose one each day, and pray for that person and their ministry.
{2}
Another way to pray for new connections is something I do each year and I shared it in my post, How to Bless Those You Met at the Writer’s Conference.
{3}
Send requests to be Facebook friends to begin cultivating relationships.
{4}
Lay out the cards and take a picture. This way, you can preserve the information (and the face!) while keeping your office space decluttered.
{5}
Promote their work. I know, I know. It’s impossible to keep up with everyone. But I encourage you to let the Lord lead you in who you could promote from your fresh stack of cards. You didn’t meet the ministries represented on the business cards by coincidence. Being Facebook friends is the first step but if you resonate with their work, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest too. When they have a victory, share it with others through your social media outlets.
One way I’m doing this today is by sharing the names of those I collected cards from this year at The Blue Ridge Mountains Writer’s Conference, along with a link to their site. Some I’ve known for a while. But who could blame a girl for wanting a new card? *smile*
- Holland C. Kirbo, Christian Fiction & YA Fantasy
- Katherine Pasour, Advocate for Wellness
- Judy Royal Glenn, Photographer, and Writer
- Sandra Lovelace, Writer, Speaker, and Mentor
- Molly Jo Realy, Writer, Editor, Social Media, Publicist
- Jordan Alexandra Wells – Facebook @JordanAlexandraWells
- Carol McClain, Writing Redemption
- Carlton W. Hughes, Speaker, Freelance Writer (I enjoyed meeting his sweet wife, Kathy, this year.)
- Becky Cortino, Author, Speaker, Security Researcher
- Robin Gilbert Luftig, Speaker, and Author
- Diane L. Ward, Writer
- Mary Albers Felkins, Author
- PJ Gover, Writer
- Joy E. Miller, Writer (Both she and her mom, Jane, are truly a joy!)
- Kris Meade, President/CEO of Meade Agency
- Tammy Van Gils, Inspiring Fresh Insight & Everblooming Hope
- Mary Wells Coutu, Blessing Your Life Through Story
- Angela Arndt, Finding Joy on the Back Roads
- Emily Wickham, Author/Speaker
- Hope Dougherty, Inspirational Love Stories
- Kim Miller, Writer
- Norma R. Poore, Writer/Speaker
- Beverly Varnado, Author/Speaker
- Paula Sorrells-Beene, Author/Speaker/Proofreader
5 Ways to Bless Others With the Business Cards You Collect Share on X
I wish I’d approached more peeps for a card exchange but it’s hard to keep up with all of these creative people!
One bonus idea: Obviously, we can’t sign up for everyone’s blogs but the truth of the matter is, that’s one of the best ways to support another. Many of us see our writing as a ministry and we welcome the opportunity to love you back!
So, do you have another idea for business cards or would you like to share the name & Web address (no phone numbers or addresses, please) of someone you met at Blue Ridge this year?
These are some great ideas.
Thanks so much, Jann! Blessings!!
You are a great cheerleader, Cathy!
Aww, thanks, Charla! 🙂 Where do you keep your pom-poms stored? Because you’re certainly a great encouragement to me and to so many others. Blessings, friend! Thanks for taking the time to share.
I love this!
It’s a game for me to collect business cards and get back to conference newbies. I like telling them how important they are and how they’ve just improved their writing skills because they attended the conference. Because it’s all true. A good word can make all the difference in the world.
Thanks, Cathy, for your leadership.
And I love this, Robin! You have such a big heart for the awesome newbies that attend the conference each year. We never know how a handful of words will transform a heart for God’s glory. Bless you!
I love your ideas! I plan on subscribing to the blogs of the business cards I collected. I set up a new email address for that purpose and when I can steal time, I will catch up on friends post. I love your creativity!
Thanks, Tammy! I love your idea to set up a new email address specifically for them. Thanks for sharing – loved spending time with you at the conference. 🙂
Great ideas, Cathy! I try to connect on Facebook and Twitter with my business card “friends”, but I hadn’t thought about praying for them (that should be the first thing we do, right?) I so enjoyed getting to know you better this year over breakfast and lunch. I’m honored that my name is in your blog! Wishing you continued blessings, my friend.
I also enjoyed getting to know you better, Katherine. Let’s stay in touch throughout the year!
Thank you for adding me to the list, Cathy. I count you as a trusted friend, and am so blessed to know you. I pray over my stack of business cards, asking God to bless each and every person as He wants them blessed.
Same here, Molly Jo. Blue Ridge would not be the same without you! I love that there’s so much prayer happening AFTER the conference. Blessings on your WIP’s. Thanks for taking the time to share. 🙂
These are great suggestions! Thank you for sharing them, Cathy!
Thank you, Crickett! I appreciate you taking the time to share. 🙂
I’ve made some wonderful friends at conferences – including you! I love the idea about praying through the cards. And, as the years go by, it’s special to look through cards I received in my early conference days. I think I have every single one . It’s meaningful to see how God has blessed the ministries of people I met when they were starting on their writing journey. Blessings to you in Christ, dear Cathy. I pray God’s favor on you and your writing. Thanks for including me on your list ~ it’s an honor and joy.
I love that you have every single card from early conference days. I’m excited for you, for your writing, your videos — I can’t wait to see what God has planned for your ministry, sweet friend. I pray God’s blessing on your work as well. Love being on His team with you!