Isn’t it easier to put someone’s number/email/whatever into your mobile device?  Yes.  Obviously.  In fact, I find that when I make a call it’s usually from my phone (imagine that!).  Since that’s where the number is going to get used it should go there.

But Contact Info?  No, that’s different and possibly more important.

Thing’s to write down after meeting someone

• Name This one is surprisingly easy to forget.
• Appearance Be kind.  Also, try not focus on clothes as people tend to change their clothes.  This is mostly to help you recognize this person in the future.
• Job/hobbies Basically, this is why you know them or where you know them from
• Personal details  Do they have kids?  How many?  Are they all human?  Spouse?  Human too?
• What are they into Or more specifically, what are they excited to talk about?  It shouldn’t take you very long to find this out.  People usually talk about things they are excited to talk about.  That’s why they’re talking about them.
• Something you like about them As you’ll see later, this has many benefits.
• Finally, a few things you talked with this person about  This, too, will help in a few ways.

After your initial meeting with someone, you’ll want to write this stuff in your notebook.  Then, when you see them again, you will have all this minor but important information to draw on for conversation.

As an example, I recently met Doug.

• Name Doug
• Appearance Horn-rimmed glasses, greying buzz cut and ready with a friendly smile
• Job/hobbies Works with computers in some way.  Into gaming, both video and tabletop.  His wife, Peg, isn’t.  Likes hiking.
• Personal details  No kids.  One wife (Peg)
• What are they into  Hiking.  Star Wars RPG.  Just bought a smoker.
• Something you like about them Big booming laugh when he gets excited
• Finally, a few things you talked with this person about  Hiking, his knee surgery & subsequent recovery, and he bought a smoker but it hasn’t arrived yet.

The next time I see Doug I will have looked over these notes and already have several questions to ask him:

• Got in any good hikes lately?
• How’s Peg?
• What have you been playing? When Peg let’s you! (insert knowing chuckle here)
• Have you used your smoker yet?  How did it turn out?

That’s potentially a half hour of conversation without mentioning the weather once!

When you talk with people in this manner they will gravitate towards you.  Everyone loves to feel heard and remembering details about them makes them feel valued.  This also takes the pressure off.  We often worry about what to say during an awkward conversation.  Here’s the secret:  Don’t say anything.  Just ask a few good questions and listen.  Then go and update your notes.  Be specific and as detailed as you can.  If someone tells you about their ailing grandmother and after a month you approach them with, “Don’t you got a dead guy on the way?”  you need better notes.  (And possibly a soul)

Who do you record then?

You will never go wrong writing notes on everyone you meet.  If you never see them again then you’ve wasted a few lines of your notebook and a few minutes.  If, however, you do see them again… You will be the most likable person they’ve met in a long time.

It isn’t a bad idea to use this with people you’ve known for a while, either.  Honestly, I should use this when I talk to my wife half the time!