Make your contact details simple when networking

This podcast – make your contact details simple when networking – arises from the fact that I recently attended an online networking event and what happened caused me to reflect upon the importance of making your contact details user-friendly and as simple as possible.

This networking event was well run and set up. Part of the process was that attendees apart from being given the opportunity to pitch their services were also offered the opportunity to have their contact details published online afterwards which represented some free marketing for all attendees.

As part of my interaction during the event, I was interested in researching more the services being offered by a person I will fictionally call Mary. 

During the process of interacting, I inquired if I could have her contact details and was advised “it’s all in my QR code”. 

Personally, I hate QR codes and never took to them at all. Maybe it is because years ago they were heavily pushed by internet marketers who were trying to lead us to believe that your online world would come to an end without them which is of course nonsense. 

The point is – because Mary introduced this level of complexity forcing me to use a tool I hate and do not use – I lost interest immediately.

All I was looking for were simple links to her LinkedIn account and website not the hassle as far as I am concerned of being forced to use a QR code.

Following the event my subconscious was analyzing these facts when low and behold I noticed that most of the attendees had their contact details and core services listed online. Looked Good!

 Guess what entry was missing?

 Mary’s details/ QR code. Yet again the point is that the rest of us benefited far far more than she did. I appreciate that there are fans of QR codes but I suggest sometimes simplicity is best.