We’ve all been there. You’re mid-conversation at a conference, co-working space, or casual coffee meetup when someone says, “Let’s stay in touch!”
You smile, nod… and then it gets awkward.
Do you dig through your bag and pull out a crumpled business card from three jobs ago? Try typing your email into their phone while mispronouncing your own domain name? Maybe you mumble, “Just look me up on LinkedIn,” and silently pray they spell it right?
There’s got to be a better way—and thankfully, there is.
Let’s Retire the Awkward Dance
Paper business cards are nostalgic at best, inconvenient at worst. They tend to live short lives: from hand to pocket to trash can or lost in that crevice between your seat in the car. And worse they don’t evolve with you. Update your title? Rebrand your company? Congrats—you now own 493 tiny rectangles of outdated information!
Digital exchanges aren’t much smoother. “I’ll airdrop you.” “Scan this.” “Wait—Bluetooth’s off.” Before you know it, you’re troubleshooting tech in front of someone you’re trying to impress.
Sharing your info shouldn’t feel like disarming a bomb. It should be simple, smooth, and maybe even a little impressive.
Tools That Take the Pressure Off
Let’s start with this: you don’t need to be a tech wizard or social butterfly to upgrade your networking game. There are plenty of easy, low-lift ways to make a better impression and make staying in touch… not awkward.
Here are a few we love:
- Short, custom links (like bit.ly or yourname.com/contact) you can drop in a DM or text
- QR codes on your phone wallpaper or Apple Wallet—set it and forget it
- Pre-filled calendar links for scheduling follow-ups without the back-and-forth
- A digital business card app, like Blinq, that lets you share everything in one click
The key isn’t which one you use—it’s that you choose something that makes sharing feel effortless instead of performative.
One Tool That’s Working Really Well
If you’re looking for something simple and professional that pulls it all together, Blinq is a great option. It’s a digital business card app that lets you create a branded, shareable profile you can send with a tap or a scan. No app required for the other person. No digging for your physical cards. No awkward pauses.
You can create multiple cards for different roles or side projects, update them anytime, and even outfit your whole team with matching, on-brand cards.
We’ve tested it. We use it. We genuinely like it.
Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you decide to sign up—at no cost to you. We only recommend tools we actually use and find helpful.
For the People Who Hate “Networking”
Not everyone loves handing out their details. Some people freeze up when asked, “What do you do?” Others find self-promotion cringe, especially in casual settings.
The beauty of having a go-to contact-sharing method is that it takes the pressure off. You don’t need to make a pitch. You just say, “Here’s an easy way to reach me,” and move on with your life.
Blinq works great in-person, but it’s just as useful in Zoom chats, email signatures, or your social bios.
Once it’s set up, you don’t have to think about it again—until someone says, “Hey, how can I get in touch?” and you impress them without trying.
Other Little Moves That Go a Long Way
If you want to leave a lasting impression (without overthinking it), try pairing your contact info game with a few other small but mighty habits:
- Have a one-sentence answer to “What do you do?” that doesn’t sound like your job title
- Follow up with a voice note or short email—personal > polished
- Jot down where and how you met someone (your future self will thank you)
- Use a tool like Blinq or a custom QR code to make sharing one-tap simple
Networking isn’t about collecting business cards. It’s about making it easy for people to remember you—and get back in touch.
Don’t Overcomplicate It
You don’t need a networking strategy, a slick pitch, or a designer card to make a strong impression. You just need to be easy to follow up with.
Whether that means a QR code on your phone or a sleek Blinq profile, the goal is the same: remove the friction and let the relationship take center stage.
Skip the awkward exchange, spelling errors, and just share your info like someone who’s got it together.
Because you do.
