The Networking NameDrop® Hack | Vol. 103

June 14, 2024

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

– Arthur C. Clarke

The Networking NameDrop® Hack

I am often inadvertently clever or funny. Most often, I’m bungling a cliché. Dog got your tongue? Don’t have a sow. If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother. Since writers are taught to avoid clichés, I’ve come to embrace these verbal fumbles. When it comes to platitudes, I guess I’m a bit of a bull in a hen house.

John Meese kicked off ConvertKit’s Craft + Commerce conference last week. He shared his favorite networking hack – the “Strategic Selfie.” When you meet someone, take a selfie with them and ask for their number to share it. Now you have their number and a picture in your texts to add to your contacts later. Brilliant!

My challenge is that I’m about as good with names as clichés. I met the founder of MightyNetworks, Gina Bianchini, at a small creator mastermind before the event. I instantly liked her and promptly called her “Maggie.” 🤦‍♂️ So when attendees invited me to do the selfie hack, instead of sharing my cell number, I’d say, “Why don’t we do the iPhone bump thingy?” Cue confusion.

“Just bump your phone with mine slowly.” We’d tap phones, a glowing orb would vibrate from each phone to the other and, bibbidi bobbidi boo 🪄, our contact cards would appear on each other’s phones.

Apple did not actually trademark “iPhone Bump Thingy.” The iOS 17 feature is aptly called NameDrop®. I don’t know exactly when I learned this trick, but it turned out to be a networking winner. So I’m sharing with you today. Apologies to my Android friends, you’ll have to use Meese’s Strategic Selfie.

Step 1: Turn on Airdrop® – Go to Settings > Select General > AirDrop

Step 2: Update Your Contact – Open the Contacts App, scroll to the top, and update your contact card.

Step 3: Allow Contact Sharing – Go to Settings > Select Contacts > Share Name and Photo.

Step 4: Do the iPhone Bump Thingy*

Just remember, the number of contacts in your database is just a brag number if you don’t follow up. After the event, add as many details as you can to your new acquaintances as you can while it’s all fresh in your mind. Set a deadline for yourself and follow up! As with the TIPSS Method, this is a great way to ensure the best ROI on an event.

One question to ponder in your thinking time: Am I networking or not working?

Co-author of The One Thing & The Millionaire Real Estate Agent ​