When you share your digital business card, say one short line that links the card to a reason to stay in touch, then ask for their details back. Something like: “Here’s my card, it saves straight to your contacts. Can I get yours so I can send you that article?” Skip the pitch and keep it to a sentence.
What to say when sharing your digital business card depends on where you are: face to face, over text, by email, on LinkedIn or at the end of a video call. Below are lines you can copy for each one.
Why the words matter more than the card
The words you use decide whether your card gets saved or ignored. A card on its own is just contact details. The line you say with it tells the other person why they’d ever use them.
Ivan Misner, founder of the BNI networking group, calls a business card “a tacit invitation to make a future connection” in his Entrepreneur column. He advises against handing out your card before you’ve had a good conversation. His ideal is a short, real one where the other person asks for your card.
The Indiana chapter of MPI, an association for meeting planners, is even blunter. In its business card etiquette guide, the author writes that if the person didn’t request your card, they are throwing it away. A digital card doesn’t get thrown away, but it does get ignored in the camera roll the same way.
What to say when sharing your digital business card in person
In person, offer your digital business card after the conversation has found a reason to continue, and attach that reason to the offer. Hold up the QR code on your phone and say one sentence.
Lines that work:
- “I’d love to send you that case study. Scan this and my details save straight to your phone.”
- “Here’s my card. I’d love to hear from you soon.” (a line SilkCards suggests, and it still works when the card is a QR code)
- “It was great to meet you. Can I have your number? Here’s mine in return.”
Lines to drop:
- “Hey, let me give you a business card.” SilkCards says this opener makes you look less professional, because it puts the card ahead of the person.
- “Scan this, it’s my digital card, it’s got my socials and my portfolio and…” Nobody needs the tour. They’ll see it when they open it.
If you both use iPhones, try NameDrop. Say “Want to just tap phones?” and hold them together. Apple’s support guide says NameDrop shares only your name, the phone number or email you choose and your Contact Poster, and both devices need iOS 17.1, watchOS 10.1, or later. It won’t carry your links or portfolio, so a QR card still does more.
What to text or email with your card link
When you send your card by text or email, remind the person who you are, add the link, and give one reason to save it. Without that reminder, a bare link from an unknown number looks like spam.
A text that works:
Hi Priya, it’s Arjun from the fintech meetup last night. Here’s my card so you have my number: qrcard.in/c/arjun. I’ll send that pricing deck tomorrow.
An email that works:
Subject: Great meeting you at the product summit
Hi Sam, thanks for the chat about onboarding flows. As promised, here’s my card with my direct line and calendar link: qrcard.in/c/arjun. Tapping “Save Contact” adds me to your phone in one step. Would a quick call next week help?
Keep the card link on its own line so it’s easy to tap. If you already send your card in every email, a digital business card in your email signature saves you writing this line each time.
The MPI guide recommends following up by email or LinkedIn within 48 hours. If you met someone and didn’t send your card on the spot, that is your window. Our guide to following up after a networking event has fuller templates.
What to write on LinkedIn
On LinkedIn, the connection note has to fit in 200 characters, so mention where you met and drop the card link in a follow-up message. LinkedIn Help gives the 200-character limit and says free accounts can personalize only three connection requests per month. Premium members can personalize all of them.
A note that fits:
Hi Dana, enjoyed your talk on churn at SaaS Connect. I’d like to stay in touch and share the retention checklist I mentioned.
Once they accept, send the card in a message: “Thanks for connecting. Here’s my card so my number saves to your phone: qrcard.in/c/arjun.” To put the card on your profile itself, see how to share your business card on LinkedIn.
What to say at the end of a video call or talk
At the end of a call or presentation, put the QR code on screen and say why someone would scan it. “If you want the slides, scan this and you’ll also have my details” gives people a reason. “Here’s my QR code” does not.
On a video call, also paste the link into the chat. Not everyone can point a phone at their own screen. A good line is: “I’ve dropped my card in the chat. It saves straight to your contacts, so you won’t need to copy anything.”
How to ask for their details back
Ask for the other person’s contact details right after you share yours, in the same breath. SilkCards advises asking for their card in return even if they approached you first, and the MPI guide suggests asking whether it’s okay to follow up before you ask for their card.
Simple ways to ask:
- “Can I get your number so I can send that over?”
- “Is it okay if I follow up next week? What’s the best email for you?”
- “Scan mine, and if you fill in the share-back form I’ll have yours too.”
That last line only works if your card has a share-back option. On QRCard, that’s Mutual Exchange, a Pro feature where viewers can optionally send you their name, email, phone and a short note. Viewers can skip it, so you still need to ask. There’s more on this in how to get people to share contact details back.
What the other person sees when they open your card
Knowing what the other person sees helps you say less. A QRCard link opens in any phone or desktop browser with no app to install. They see your profile and a Save Contact button.
Tapping Save Contact downloads a .vcf file that opens in the phone’s own Contacts app on iPhone or Android. So you can honestly say “it saves straight to your contacts” instead of explaining how to copy your number.
One limitation: a digital card only works if the other person takes out their phone. With someone who’s carrying a drink and a plate, or who just isn’t a phone person, the QR code makes the moment awkward. Offer to text them the link instead, which also gets you their number.
My take: say less and make it about them
The best line is the shortest one that names a reason to talk again. I’d rather say “Scan this and I’ll send you that supplier list” than walk someone through my card’s features. The card should answer “who was that?” a week later. The conversation is what makes them want to ask.
If you’re unsure what to put on the card itself, start with what to put on a digital business card.
FAQ
Should I offer my digital business card before someone asks?
Usually not. Networking advice from BNI founder Ivan Misner is to have a real conversation first, ideally one where the other person asks for your card. Offer it when there is a clear reason to follow up.
What do I say if someone doesn’t have a QR scanner?
Most phone cameras read QR codes, but if theirs doesn’t, offer to text or email the link instead: “No problem, what’s your number? I’ll text you the link now.” That also gets you their number.
How long can a LinkedIn connection note be?
LinkedIn Help says each connection invitation message can be up to 200 characters. Free accounts can personalize up to three requests per month, while Premium members can personalize all of them.
What should I say when I text my digital business card?
Remind them who you are and where you met, add the link, and give one reason to save it. For example: “Hi Priya, it’s Arjun from the fintech meetup. Here’s my card so you have my number: qrcard.in/c/arjun. Happy to send that pricing deck.”
Is it rude to ask for their contact details back?
No. Etiquette guides recommend asking for the other person’s card in return, even if they approached you first. You need a way to follow up too.