Write Notes on Back of Business Cards

After you meet someone for the first time, you should immediately write some notes on the back of this person's business card.  It is important that you remember some key take-aways from your conversation.  Things to write down could be the person's birthday, family information, interests, or Website mentioned.

As you move on from one person to the next, you will forget some of your conversation. This is why you should document what you need to remember.   Also, when you do follow-up with certain people, it is good to have notes that you can draw upon.  This will show that you are prepared and took the conversation serious.  If you portray this, then most people will want to develop a relationship with you.

Make sure that you don't take notes during your conversation. You want to show that you care so pay attention to the other person's talk.  Afterwards, you should take notes before you talk to the next person while it is fresh in your mind.

This is a technique that I use every time that I meet someone.  Once I feel that I have a connection with someone and follow-up occurs, I then put this information in Outlook along with the person's contact information.

Comments

[Joe Johnson]

One thing to note, however, that when working with people from Japan (or most other East Asian countries), it is a grave insult to write on their business card. You also do not place the business card loosely in your shirt pocket or pants pocket, but into a sleeve in a notebook or your business card carrier. Google has many good resources on the peculiarities and particulars of Asian business card etiquette.

[Jason Jacobsohn]

Good point Joe. This is one reason why you shouldn't write on the cards in front of people. At the same time, you need to respect the culture of other people so in this case, you may just need to takes notes on paper. If you do it this way, then you should take the notes sooner than later so you don't forget.