Networking is an important skill required for career advancement and growth, no matter what industry you work in. However, the act of printing and distributing business cards is not really appropriate in the modern world we live in. (There’s nothing against carrying a physical business card, of course.)
Also: These are my 5 must-have devices when traveling for work now
Instead, a more sustainable solution is a card that digitally transfers your contact information to someone’s phone, such as Linq card. I’ve been testing one out for the past few weeks and it’s easily become my everyday go-to item, especially during business meetings. Here’s why you should buy one, too.
Linq business cards look like regular business cards but with one big difference: it can share your contact information with others with a simple phone tap.
To enable touch sharing, the card uses a near-field communication (NFC) chip, which is the same technology that powers everyday tasks like making in-store purchases with your smartphone. Most devices have NFC reading capabilities, but for those that don’t, you can still easily share your information by having the person scan the QR code on the back of the card (shown below). below).
After the person touches the card or scans the QR code, they will be provided with your LINQ profile. You are prompted to create this profile via the Linq app when you first activate the card. The best part is that it is highly customizable, including the layout of your profile page, what social media platforms and links are presented, and even profile pictures for reference.
I find the ability to save contacts particularly useful because I regularly meet with different companies and new people. When scanned, recipients can automatically add my contact information to their default messaging app. Obviously, you’ll want to be cautious of who you’re associating the card with.
About the price, the classic white card is the least expensive option at $12, with prices increasing depending on other color and finish options. There are no hidden subscriptions or usage fees after you purchase the card, which is very refreshing.
These tags make great inventory or gifts for anyone in the workforce, regardless of age. To make the gift even more sentimental and personal, you can even add a custom icons.
