Almost forgot after posting Jason's job search examples of another geeky form of networking I saw at a convention, and it's worth a quick blurb.

Forget your business card – try a trading card.

This gentleman I had the pleasure to meet was part of a cosplay group.  Each member had a trading card made of themselves, with business-card style summaries and contact information.  This was used for fan networking, but it would obviously be no problem to make businesslike versions.

I could see such "fannish" cards being useful for some forms of networking:

• If you were networking with fannish people or those that would appreciate it.
• If you could make sure the card was professional enough for what you were doing while still being "geeky"
• If you can make it financially viable.

Now he was fortunate enough to get a discount from a friend.  I checked on custom trading cards and they're not exactly cheap.  So I'd think if one gets a set it would be for a special occasion or to use for specific targets to impress them.  Then again I'm a hideous cheapskate.

Keep it in mind.

-  Steve