At an event you can meet dozens of people in a couple of hours. A week later, many of those connections have turned into a stack of faceless cards or contacts nobody saved. Here is how to make sure the right people save your details and remember who you are.
Why contacts get lost at events
- Paper cards run out at the worst possible moment.
- Phone numbers get shouted over the noise, and one wrong digit is enough.
- A card goes into a pocket and gets lost among the others by evening.
- A few days later, people cannot remember who you are or what you talked about.
What to prepare before the event
- 1Your card on your phone. Save the link and QR code to your favourites so you can open them in a second.
- 2A QR code on your badge. Many organisers allow it, and you can always make a sticker yourself.
- 3A QR code on your last slide if you are speaking. The audience can save your contact while you take questions.
- 4One line about yourself. Keep it short: what you do and how you can help.
How to swap contacts on the spot
Show your QR code: the other person points their camera, opens your card and saves your contact in one tap. If it is easier, send the link in a message while you talk. That leaves a conversation thread, so following up is simpler.
Your photo matters here. When someone scrolls through new contacts that evening, they will recognise your face and remember the conversation.
What to do after the event
- Message the people you agreed to follow up with on the same day.
- Remind them where you met: “We talked about ad campaigns at the conference.”
- If you promised materials, send them with your first message.
Where this works
Conferences, trade shows, business breakfasts, networking meetups, festivals and workshops. For more places to put your QR code, see “Where to put your business card QR code”.
In short
Prepare your card and QR code in advance, show the code instead of reading out your number, and message new contacts the same day. That way, no useful connection slips away.