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Networking has been around forever. The ritual of a handshake followed by the exchange of business cards is a tradition that runs deep.
But as we’ve tried to translate these age-old practices into our increasingly digital world, something essential has been lost. With more of our lives moving online—working, socializing, connecting—the ways we network have reached a crossroads.
On one hand, a paper business card feels outdated and inefficient in today’s fast-paced digital environment. On the other, digital networking platforms like LinkedIn and social media have tossed us into a sea of potential connections, making each one feel less meaningful.
It’s clear that digital networking in the real world isn’t quite working the way we need it to. So, where are we now, and what’s gone wrong?
Why Does Networking Today Feel So Clunky?
In a world where information flows faster than ever, it’s ironic that our connections feel more distant. Social media promised to bring us closer, yet here we are, scrolling through endless feeds of people we barely know, tossing out connection requests on LinkedIn like we’re throwing business cards into the void. What was supposed to make networking easier has somehow made it feel… clunky.
Remember the early days of dating apps? There was excitement, novelty, and a sense of endless possibilities. But over time, something changed. Dating apps became less about meaningful connections and more about swiping through an infinite menu of faces. This enshittification of dating apps, as some have called it, reflects a broader trend—one where the promise of digital connection has eroded into a shallow, transactional experience.
Compare that to what’s happening now: young adults are starting to recognize the empty void of social media and dating apps, and they’re searching for ways to connect in the real world. One such example is the recently trending run club phenomenon, where singles are lacing up their sneakers not just for fitness but for real social interaction. These run clubs are about more than just logging miles; they’re about making real connections, face-to-face, in a way that a DM or swipe simply can’t replicate. It’s personal, it’s real, and it’s everything that today’s digital interactions often lack. But from what I can gather, these solutions don’t solve the entire problem.
The problem is often getting started—initiating the conversation, taking the leap, and knowing whether the other person is ready to receive. Networking and dating are both two-person tangos, and that’s just how it is. So whether it’s a one-on-one interaction or casting your line into the sea of the internet, there are still a few hurdles we humans have to hop.
So, what gives? How do we fix this mess of impersonal connections and outdated practices? It’s clear we need a better way to connect, one that merges the best of both worlds. But first, let’s look at where things stand now.
The LinkedIn Dilemma: Digital, Physical, or Fake?
Alright, I know I’ve been on a bit of a tangent about social media and dating apps, but bear with me—I promise it’s all connected.
Let’s talk about LinkedIn, the corporate cousin of Facebook. It’s a social networking tool with all the same features, quirks, and annoyances, just with a big, shiny corporate bow on top.
LinkedIn had the potential to be the ultimate B2B platform—a place where professionals could genuinely connect, share insights, and grow their networks. But somewhere along the way, things went awry. Spam messages started flooding inboxes, the authenticity faded, the conversations died, and the site became a playground for self-promotion. You know the posts I’m talking about, the cringe-worthy “I’m happy to announce…” posts, the constant humblebrags, and the endless stream of buzzwords that make your eyes glaze over.
And then there’s the awkwardness of trying to use LinkedIn during in-person interactions. Imagine this: you’ve just met someone at a conference, you’re vibing, and then… what? You whip out your phone and send them a LinkedIn connection request? It feels forced, clunky, and completely out of sync with the personal interaction you just had. A business card could do, but we’ll touch on that later.
Maybe LinkedIn is just a metaphor—or better yet, a punching bag—here for the overwhelming lack of real, personal connection that seems to plague the internet these days, whether in business or personal realms. As humans, we naturally want to work together and help each other, but as more of our interactions move online, that sense of overlap, of shared purpose, gets lost. Meeting someone face-to-face has a certain energy, a flow that simply doesn’t translate when you transition to a platform like LinkedIn. The disconnect is palpable, and it’s no wonder that so many of us feel like we’re missing out on something more genuine.
And yet, despite all its flaws, LinkedIn still holds a subtle but undeniable value. It serves as a source of truth—a place where you can find people online, see their professional history, put a face to a name, and get a sense of who they are before reaching out. In the world of B2B, that’s not nothing. It’s a start, a way to at least begin a conversation, even if it’s far from perfect. There was potential here, one that could be so much better, but for now, it’s something to leap from.
The Clumsiness of Manual Contact Sharing
If LinkedIn represents the digital side of our networking struggles, then manual contact sharing is its old-school counterpart, complete with its own set of challenges in our modern world. We all want to connect, but because so much of our lives are online, you often find yourself planning to continue the interaction… online.
It’s a strange loop when you think about it. The first thing we ask is, “What’s your email?” or “Can I have your LinkedIn?” or “What’s your website?” Then comes the fumbling—trying to create a contact on our smartphones or sending a quick text to a number we hope we typed correctly. It’s frustrating, awkward, and frankly, it makes you not want to bother.
And let’s talk about business cards. What am I supposed to do with yours? Stick it in my rolodex? Over 80% of business cards end up in the trash within a week, and there’s a reason for that—they don’t really help. They’re just another piece of clutter, something you have to manually input into your phone or computer later, assuming you don’t lose it first.
The whole process of exchanging contact details in person is cumbersome. It’s so easy to make mistakes—misspell a name, mistype a number, or forget to save the contact altogether. And when that happens, you’ve lost more than just a phone number; you’ve lost the momentum of the interaction, the connection you were trying to build, or the deal you would’ve closed.
This method fails to capture the essence of a good, memorable interaction. The point of meeting someone, especially in a business context, is to get to know them and figure out how you can help solve their problem. That’s where the focus should be—not on fumbling with your phone, figuring out how you’ll follow up later. When the mechanics of exchanging contact details become the focus, the real connection gets lost.
Yet, even with all these flaws, it somehow still works. Despite the clumsiness and potential for mistakes, we manage to connect. But imagine how much smoother and more meaningful these interactions could be if the process were easier—if it actually enhanced the connection instead of getting in the way.
Reevaluating Networking: Are We Moving Forward?
Let’s pause for a moment and take a step back.
At its heart, what really is networking, and why do we do it? Is it driven by self-interest, because we’re paid to network, or because we genuinely want to help others?
Networking has been a fundamental part of human interaction for centuries. The basics—a handshake, a conversation, an exchange of ideas—have remained largely unchanged. But as technology has advanced, our methods of networking haven’t really kept pace. It’s curious, isn’t it? We’re surrounded by all this technology, yet the most effective ways to network are often the same as they were hundreds of years ago. So, what’s the point of all this tech if the core of networking remains unchanged?
To solve the problems we see across the internet—impersonal connections, spam, superficial interactions—we need to make it easier for people to help each other, to talk, and to share ideas and solutions. The true value of networking lies in these exchanges, in the opportunity to connect with someone on a deeper level and to provide or receive meaningful assistance.
So, let’s take a look at the solutions available today and into the future.
We’re Trying to Move in the Right Direction
People are increasingly aware that there’s a problem with how we network digitally, and they’re definitely voicing it—just Google it. From forums to articles, the conversation about the shortcomings of current networking tools is gaining traction. But it’s not just talk; businesses are actively working to fill in the gaps. On one end, you have the old, traditional methods of networking, and on the other, platforms like LinkedIn. And in between, there’s a whole lot of blank space waiting to be filled with more meaningful, effective solutions.
Let’s reframe this in the context of what we’ve seen with dating apps and the rise of run clubs. People are clearly craving more personal, meaningful interactions. The shift from digital-first to in-person experiences isn’t just a trend; it’s a reflection of what people want—authentic connections. And where individuals lead, businesses inevitably follow. This movement is especially pronounced among Gen Z and younger generations, who are uninterested in maintaining the status quo. They are driving the demand for things that prioritize real human connections over traditional corporate practices.
Take, for example, the rise (or resurrection) of online communities and forums. These platforms are built around shared interests, passions, and goals, fostering a sense of belonging and connection that traditional social (corporate overlord) networks often lack. They represent a step in the right direction, showing that there’s a demand for tools that not only connect us but also bring us closer together in a more meaningful way. When we look inward at our businesses, clients, and teams, it’s obvious that we need to start finding ways to make things feel real again for the people involved. I, for one, am on board with the idea of removing the corporate choreography that has taken over how we work.
As we look into the future of digital networking, it’s clear that people-led, personal connections will be at the heart of whatever comes next. The tools of tomorrow will need to do more than just facilitate contact; they’ll need to enhance and enrich the human connections we crave. Imagine a world where technology doesn’t just sit between us but actually helps bring us closer together—where our interactions aren’t abstracted behind a screen but are instead supported and amplified by the tech we use.
Tools like Social Card are doing this today (or, at minimum, moving in the right direction). Built as a product that aligns with this emerging trend at the company level using technologies like digital business cards, Social Card focuses on people-led interactions and makes it easier to connect in meaningful ways. By inserting your people at the top of your funnel, Social Card ensures that your relationship with leads starts with a human interaction.
Embracing the Limbo Between Cool Tech and Handshakes
We find ourselves in a fascinating transition phase—a limbo between the cool tech solutions that promise to streamline our lives and the traditional networking methods that have stood the test of time. The challenge and the opportunity lie in embracing both worlds, and those who do will own the success.
So, my friend, go out and interact, meet new people, do cool things, and help others along the way. Maybe I can help you, or maybe you can help me. Isn’t that the whole point of all this?
If you’re interested in trying a new approach to digital networking, whether as an individual or for your business, reach out—I’d love to help. Let’s navigate this new landscape together and make the most of the tools at our disposal to create connections that truly matter.
