I don't understand business cards.  I don't understand how to use them.

I went to this blogging event on Sunday.  Beforehand, the teacher/facilitator strongly encouraged us to bring business cards to share with the other bloggers.  She "encouraged" to the point that she suggested that people who didn't have cards already should have them made.

Some of the other attendees don't even have blogs yet.

I already had cards that reference my cemetery blog, but not this one.  That's because I've been scrambling to build the readership for Cemetery Travel.  I tucked a handful into my slick business card holder (the one with Anna Roentgen's hand on its cover) and off I went.

I handed cards out to everyone I spoke to about cemeteries, travel, or blogging.  I asked for cards from people whose work intrigued me.  I was proud of myself for connecting with people.

Then I got back to my seat.  While I'd been chatting and enjoying myself, other people had been making the rounds, leaving a card at every place.

Of course, many of the other bloggers have much more general interest blogs than mine:  design, life coaching, crafting, daily inspiration.  It's probably worth it for them to advertise broadly and reach out to everyone, since they have more work to do in their niches in order to stand out.

Still, I feel like I missed an opportunity to network.

How are you supposed to hand out business cards, anyway?