How to network like a boss
Posted on 12th February 2025 at 09:48
Do you take business cards to networking events? I don’t and I’ll tell you why.
It’s because I use the QR code on LinkedIn and so I don’t need business cards, and don’t need to even think about getting some designed and printed as I always have my mobile with me.
You may remember these gadgets from back in the day where you could hold business cards and file them A to Z, I still have this as a reminder of my early working life when business cards was the norm.
I go to a few different types of networking events, and I don’t take business cards with me to any of them.
A monthly membership group where I know the other members but there are occasional guests or stand-ins who I may not know.
A Pay as you go monthly networking event (which I am an ambassador for) which grows month on month and there are new people attending every month.
Events which tend to be much larger in scale, ranging from several hundred to several thousand people in attendance.
It would be so easy to run out of business cards, but with my mobile in my hand it’s not an issue.
A brief history of QR Codes
QR codes are relatively new, they first came to life in 1998 and were initially developed to track vehicles and parts and they are getting more and more ingrained into daily life.
QR stands for a Quick Response code.
It is made up of black and white squares in a grid that stores information.
When you scan one, your phone (or scanning app) recognises the code and shows a notification (on my iPhone this is a bright yellow icon) to click on and open the link that is associated with the QR code.
As I write this, I am on my way back from an event where a QR code was used to access an in-the-moment survey and also to gather feedback post the event.
More recently I’ve seen dynamic QR codes for rugby tickets, where they “go live” hours before an event (to stop resales).
All smart phone cameras can read a QR code. If you don’t have a smart phone there are QR code reader apps.
LinkedIn QR Code
LinkedIn has a QR code for your personal profile which is super handy when you want to make connections, as it’s quick and simple. It literally takes a few seconds.
To find your LinkedIn QR code on your mobile:
Open the App
Click the Home icon on the left of the toolbar at the bottom of the app
Tap into the search bar at the top and a QR code icon will appear on the right
Tap on it and your personal QR code appears
Anyone you want to connect with can scan your code with their camera and go straight to your profile (they need to click on the web link that appears) Super handy if you have a difficult name to spell like me.
Using your LinkedIn QR code means that you can connect with new people in seconds.
It saves you time and that hassle when you’re trying to search for someone and can’t spell their name or there are a few profiles all with the same name.
As someone who name gets her name spelt wrong a lot this is a game changer!
You can even save your QR code to your phone's camera roll. Super handy if you have a patchy mobile signal (like I sometimes do).
I add my QR code to presentations on the contact me page. I even have it on a pull up banner at a networking event I run with my friend Gus.
Taking it a step further
You can create your own QR code and you can put it anywhere….well ok, not everywhere! Let’s be sensible.
There are many generator tools available, personally I use one within Canva. I use it in one of my volunteering roles to create QR codes to sign up members to the Supporters Club and to book onto coaches to away trips.
You can even add your brand colours or business logo into your QR code.
I remember at a large event in Newcastle that happens in June each year. You will have seen me talking about it, I have an affiliate link….but I digress. I met ONE person who had created her own QR code and had it printed on her T-Shirt. I scanned it and it took me to a landing page where she had her website and social links.
You can add a QR code to your promotional materials. Maybe you have a stand at events. I‘ve seen them on flyers to prompt attendees to sign up for future events. I was recently given a business card with a QR code on to book onto a course.
You can add it to your business cards, I’ve seen people with personalised name badges. I’ve used them in pubs to access the menu (saves printing costs and good for sustainability).
In summary here are the reasons why I’m a BIG fan of the LinkedIn QR code:
🔷 No more, I’ve left my business cards in the car!
🔷 No more running out at key moments.
🔷 It’s good for the environment, let’s face it, how many business cards do you accept and then put in the bin?
🔷 They allow you to connect quickly, but remember to personalise the request where you can.
🔷 Be current with new technology and make a great first impression
As a LinkedIn Trainer my favourite one is:
🔷 Teach people a new “trick” on LinkedIn to make connecting at networking events a breeze.
Your questions answered
What about those business card raffles?
Well I say just write your details on a post it note and stick that in!
Can I do the same for my LinkedIn Company page?
Yes and no. LinkedIn doesn’t have a build in QR code in the app like your personal profile, but you can use a QR generator tool and create your own and add it to collateral, add to marketing materials, share at conferences or events.
What happened to the find nearby?
The feature was removed around the time of the pandemic and hasn’t been made available again.
What is the find nearby feature?
It was a really cool feature that you accessed via your mobile and allowed you to see who was nearby. You had to enable the feature in the app, but it made connecting super simple. Think of airdrop on your iPhone.
Then, of course there's big questions...how can I help and how can you contact me?
Simply click below to get in touch and we can discuss how best I can help you and your organisation.
Tagged as: Networking
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