LinkedIn now has a solution for how to get all those business cards into a digital format. As is typical of this social media giant, LinkedIn recently and quietly acquired CardMunch.com without fanfare or even an announcement on their blog to this point.
So what did they acquire? Simply put, CardMunch scans a business card, sends it off to be converted into a digital format and then comes back to you with 100% accuracy, placed in your contacts database. With the release of version 2.0, you can also now send off an invite to connect on LinkedIn from within the app. No muss, no fuss.
Here is how it converts the business cards you have in your hand into contacts in your database (21 seconds):
It is really that simple. Your scanned cards are now included in your contacts database. If you prefer, you can turn your iPhone sideways and flip through the actual business card images, similar to the way you flip through album covers now.
What I have found to be very helpful and a big time saver is the integration with LinkedIn. You can now send an invitation to connect on LinkedIn all from the CardMunch app.
Here is how it works (60 seconds):
The app is free to download and is now free to scan cards. Your total cost – Zero.If you want to get even more from this app, check out this “follow-up” feature (62 seconds):
Even if you do not use LinkedIn, the ability to convert business cards in the field with 100% accuracy and at no cost is pretty hard not to get excited about. If you don’t have an iPhone, sorry. I will guess that Android and Blackberry versions will be forthcoming.
By the way, I learned about CardMunch during the #LinkedInChat on Twitter Tuesday night evening from @truemc (Stephanie True Moss). This chat takes place every Tuesday evening at 5:00 p.m. PST / 8:00 EST and is hosted by @LinkedInExpert -Viveka von Rosen.
If you do not know what a Twitter Chat is or how to participate, I have written about this terrific learning opportunity here and here. Hope to see you on a future #LinkedInChat.
