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LOCAL STORIES
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
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Join inCrowd’s Bold New Direction
Redefining Contact Sharing in a Post-COVID Era
Published on:
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Ignite Business Insider shares the stories of businesses that are making an impact in their local markets. We highlight their stories in order to inspire entrepreneurial growth and to let readers learn more about businesses across the world that are growing and scaling.
Featuring
Joseph Haecker
Founder
Join inCrowd. INC.
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Thank for taking the time to sit with us today. You have some big news to share. But before we dive into that, can you share a little bit about yourself and your company?
Absolutely, and thank you for having me. I'm Joseph Haecker, the founder of Join inCrowd. My background is in tech and design, but more importantly, I’m passionate about how technology can enhance human connections. Join inCrowd started as a platform for digital business cards, but over the years, it's evolved into something much more. We’re now focused on helping people connect in a way that reflects who they are, both professionally and personally, and I believe that’s more important than ever in today’s world.
Now, before we dive into your announcement, can you share a little history into what inspired the announcement you are about to share?
Sure. The idea for Join inCrowd was born out of a simple need: the ability to quickly and effectively share contact information. But as we watched how our users interacted with the platform, it became clear that their needs were changing. COVID-19 reshaped how people work and socialize. Remote work became the norm, and the gig economy grew exponentially. People are no longer just their job titles—they’re multi-faceted individuals. This shift is what inspired our latest updates.
Well, let's not hold our readers in suspense any longer. Can you share with us your news, or announcement?
I’m thrilled to announce the relaunch of Join inCrowd with a completely new focus and design. We’ve revamped the platform to better serve the needs of today’s users, allowing them to easily toggle between sharing their professional and personal contact information. Whether you’re networking at a business event or meeting someone at a social gathering, Join inCrowd now makes it seamless to share the right information with the right people.
What about this latest news are you personally excited about the most?
I’m most excited about how this relaunch aligns with how people actually live and interact today. The ability to easily switch between different modes—business, personal, and even WhatsApp—reflects the reality that we all wear multiple hats. It’s not just about networking anymore; it’s about making genuine connections, and I believe Join inCrowd is now uniquely positioned to facilitate that.
Lets focus on how and why this latest news impacts your clients.
This update impacts our clients by providing them with a more intuitive, versatile tool for connecting with others. They no longer have to worry about whether they’re sharing too much or too little information; they have complete control over what they share, depending on the context. It’s a more personalized, human approach to networking.
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What are some questions your customers or clients might have about this? And what would your response be?
Existing Join inCrowd members might wonder if they need to do anything to access the new features. The answer is yes—everyone will need to re-login and set up their new accounts, but we’ve made the process as smooth as possible. For new users, we’re offering the first 30 days free so they can get everything set up and take the platform for a test drive. It’s a great way to see how Join inCrowd can fit into their daily lives.
In business our products or solutions help solve a customers wants or needs. How does your business help your customers?
Join inCrowd helps our customers by making it easier for them to connect with others on their own terms. Whether you’re in a professional setting, social situation, or somewhere in between, you have the flexibility to share the right information with the right people. It’s about simplifying the process of making connections and ensuring those connections are meaningful.
Can you give an example?
Absolutely. Let’s say you’re at a networking event or a nightclub, and you meet someone you want to stay in touch with. This isn’t a typical business connection, so handing over a traditional business card doesn’t make sense. On the flip side, if you’re in a business setting, sharing your LinkedIn QR code doesn’t actually provide your contact info, and sharing your WhatsApp code might not be appropriate. With Join inCrowd, you don’t need multiple apps to reflect how you engage. You can simply toggle between which contact info you want to share, whether it’s business, personal, or a simple phone number. You decide.
How does that impact your clients, or customer's experience?
It enhances their experience by giving them more control and flexibility. They’re not stuck with a one-size-fits-all solution; they can adapt their contact sharing to fit the situation. This makes their interactions more genuine and less transactional, which ultimately leads to better, more meaningful connections.
Let's dive into your customer's journey a little bit. Can you share with us, how do your customers discover you and your brand? What are their next steps? And what is the experience you would like to see your customers go on, when working with you and your brand?
Customers typically discover Join inCrowd through word of mouth, social media, or at events where networking is key. Once they find us, they usually sign up for a free trial to explore the platform. The experience I want for them is one of discovery—seeing how easy it is to connect with others, the simplicity of toggling between different modes, and the realization that they can maintain their professional and personal identities in one place. Ultimately, I want them to feel that Join inCrowd is an essential tool for their everyday lives, not just another app on their phone.
Let's focus on your clients a bit. Can you share one of your favorite stories about a client?
We have a wide range of members—from people using Join inCrowd for dating to real estate brokers with multiple agents under their brokerage. But for me, it’s the people I may never meet in person that stand out the most. It’s the person who goes on to meet their soulmate or land that job because of a connection made through Join inCrowd. The greatest impact is seeing our members’ journeys unfold, knowing that our platform played a small part in their story.
Everyone loves an inside scoop. Can you share a fact or detail about you or your company that people might not know?
Here’s something most people don’t know: We lost our developer in 2023, and all of our payment processing ended abruptly. I spent months searching for the right developer to help us rebuild Join inCrowd but couldn’t find the right fit. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. While on an accidental trip to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, I built the current version of Join inCrowd myself—in just under nine days. It was a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience.
Before we wrap up our interview, what are some thoughts and insights you would like to share with our readers?
I think it’s important to remember that technology should serve us, not the other way around. With Join inCrowd, our goal is to enhance human connections, not replace them. We’re committed to building a platform that reflects how people actually live and interact today. It’s about making genuine connections that go beyond just swapping business cards or social media handles.
Well, it has been great sitting with you and learning about your latest announcement. How can people follow you and learn more?
Thank you! You can simply visit our website at JoininCrowd.com. We’re always updating our platform and sharing the latest news, so stay tuned!
Thank you for taking the time to share with us.
My pleasure, thanks for having me!
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