The Awkward Networking Moment
You're at a conference. You just had a great conversation with someone. Now comes the awkward part:
- "What's your LinkedIn?" → Both pull out phones, search, send request
- "Let me give you my card" → They don't have pockets, card gets lost
- "I'll email you" → You forget their name 10 minutes later
- Exchange phone numbers → Feels too personal for a professional contact
What if there was a better way?
The Local Share Approach
Instead of the phone juggling, try this:
The Smooth Move
- "Great meeting you! I'm going to drop my info in Local Share - just open local-share.tech"
- You post: "Jane Smith | Product Manager at TechCorp | jane@techcorp.com | linkedin.com/in/janesmith"
- They open the site, see your info, copy what they need
- Conversation continues naturally
The key advantage: you're not both staring at your phones. You stay present in the conversation while seamlessly exchanging information.
Why It Works at Events
Only people at the same event see the feed. No random strangers.
Info disappears after 1 hour. It's not a permanent public post.
Anyone with a phone browser can access it. No downloads.
Add a note: "Met at the AI panel - discussed partnership"
Best Practices for Event Networking
📝 Format Your Info Clearly
Make it easy to scan and copy:
Jane Smith | Product Manager
TechCorp Inc.
jane@techcorp.com
linkedin.com/in/janesmith🎯 Add Context
"Looking to connect with AI/ML engineers in the Bay Area" or "Happy to chat about product strategy"
⏰ Timing Matters
Post during networking sessions, not during talks. The feed is most useful during breaks and social hours.
🔒 Control What You Share
Share your professional email, not personal. Include only what you'd put on a business card.
For Event Organizers
Make networking easier for your attendees:
- Mention Local Share in your opening remarks
- Display "local-share.tech" on screens during networking breaks
- Use it yourself to share schedule updates or room changes
- Post the event WiFi password (one less thing to announce)
Compared to Alternatives
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Business Cards | Tangible, professional | Easy to lose, requires carrying them |
| LinkedIn QR | Digital, connects profiles | Both need app open, scanning issues |
| AirDrop/Nearby | Quick transfer | iOS/Android only, same platform needed |
| Local Share | Works on any device, no app, instant | Requires internet connection |
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Hemanth Reddy
Founder & Lead Developer
Hemanth is a passionate software engineer focused on building privacy-first communication tools. He created Local Share to solve the problem of quick, anonymous local networking without the friction of app downloads.