Even with multiple contacts platforms and social media networks today, it can be tough to exchange and manage contacts in a way that builds lasting bonds. If anything, these platforms are contributing to feelings of overwhelm, Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), and detachment.
So, how do you grow your network at conferences, seminars or in-house meetings for lasting benefits?
1. Keep the human touch in it
You probably know by now that the key to maintaining rapport with your connections is to remember their personal details from when you meet.
You are busy. It is easy to forget who you met, when, why, and how.
You might forget the context in which you met, who introduced you, what you discussed, what the connection said impressed them and wanted to follow up on, and so on.
And that can mean losing touch with people that could have helped build you up.
To keep those details at your fingertips, you can use a popular yet free mobile app such as StayTouch to take video, text, audio, and photo notes so you can remember those details.
Incredibly, the app will also help you see who you haven’t contacted for a while, set meetup reminders, and schedule upcoming meetings so you won’t miss a chance to grow a resourceful network.
It exchanges contacts wirelessly, so you won’t have your hands too full with embarrassing business cards to make a firm handshake to take things to the next level with your new connections.
2. Choose the best way to manage contacts across platforms in 2020
You probably have a bunch of contacts spread among your Google, Microsoft, Apple, and social media accounts. How overwhelming that can get.
There’s a better way to drop the overwhelm.
Consolidate contacts.
Build a master contacts database.
How do you do that?
The best way to organize contacts in 2020 is to pick the best contacts app.
With a good contacts management app, you don’t have to worry about duplicating contacts everywhere, not being able to sync among contact lists, and being unable to keep all contact databases updated at any time.
Download a mobile app such as StayTouch to help you keep your important connections with a call, text, or email message.
The best part is StayTouch automatically updates your contacts to the most up-to-date when a person in your list changes their details. If you change yours, your network will get notifications and automatic updates, too.
That is helpful, especially nowadays when many people are changing jobs, roles, and even careers. With StayTouch you can still reach them whenever you want with their new contact details.
3. Separately manage personal and business contacts in one place
Feel like there’s not enough time in a day these days?
One study showed Americans are working for around 47 hours a week.
About 21 of the workday goes to entertainment, news, and social media.
So it is easy to find you’ve mixed up personal and professional communications.
To protect your reputation, use a smart contacts management app for Android and IOS that can let you create different profiles for the separate lives you have—so you can easily and safely switch from one conversation to another without leaving the app.
4.Get a smart contacts manager
Consider these cold facts:
- Almost 9 of all exchanged business cards end up in a shredder and landfill with 7 days of exchanging them, according to a 2018 study.
- 63 of people ditch the card without a second thought if they don’t need your services immediately
- And 40 of people won’t do business with you if your card looks cheap. Yet, it can be expensive to produce and use “high-quality” cards in 2020
- Using business card scanner apps and machines is messy, time-consuming, and expensive.
Instead, use an efficient, memorable, and effective way to keep in touch with the connections that matter to your personal and professional growth.
Get a smart contacts manager app that automatically updates contacts as your connections change them so you never have to call disconnected lines or message outdated emails.
After all, career change statistics show people are changing jobs 5-7 times, switching roles than ever before, with 30 changing jobs or careers within 12 months. And that means tons of irrelevant business cards you’ll need updated.
Younger workers (25-34), colleagues who may be vital to your progress in the digital age, have a median tenure of 2.8 years.
What next?
Choose to implement these four tips. That way, you can exchange and manage your contacts in a way that grows you and your network well into a bright future with more predictability and scale, but with less effort and hair-pulling.