Ask HN: How do you 'keep in touch' with new contacts you make?

[chirau]

I meet a lot of people professionally. Interesting people. People can be useful, not immediately, but at some point in future. Some are just good people to have in my network. However, I don't want to contact them only when I need them. You know, sending an email 6 months later to get an introduction to someone. I want to keep in touch, but not to pester. Some are not my age, so we can't necessarily hang out. How do you guys keep in touch?

[theGREENsuit]

Aside from giving people a call every so often, I use LinkedIn - messages, comment on their posts, etc. I also have a group of former colleagues whom I've worked with at multiple companies and we'll get together every few months. Depending on the size of your network, it may be nearly impossible to keep in touch with everyone on a frequent basis. In the past, I would invite a number of them to tech events around the city and that worked with some success.

[yoloswagins]

Postcards. The best way to keep in touch with interesting people is to send them a postcard when you're traveling.

When you contact them with a request, they'll think about the nice postcard they received from you two months ago.

Because people don't send many postcards, the recipient will enjoy getting something in the mail that isn't the bill. They'll pay attention to your message, and they might hang up the card, and see it often.

The best places to buy postcards is from grocery stores, or thrift stores, where they can be purchased for 10-60 cents each. Postcard stamps are cheaper than regular stamps.

Your message should be short, and congenial. It doesn't need to have an ask, but if it does, it should be very easy. Here are a couple examples:

Just to say hi: > Hey {fname}, I'm in {place}, and {local_delicacy} is very tasty. Your recent post on {medium} about {topic} was very thoughtful because {legitimate reason, 2 sentences}. See you soon, {your_name}

Make an ask: > こんにちは {fname}!, That's how to say "Howdy" in Japanese. You would love how many vending machines are everywhere! After I get back in town next month, and I'd love to talk to you about the vending machines you've built. Many of your ideas would be a hit in the Japan market. Talk to you soon! {your_name}

Quick update: > Howdy {fname}, Everyone here in Montana is so gosh dang friendly! I'm taking some R&R after shutting down my last startup, and I love Big Sky Country. When I get back to SF, I'm going to handle operations at my roommates startup, Tigger: it's like Tinder, but for house cats. Talk to you soon! {your_name}

[Raed667]

I have made a secondary Facebook account, where I add interesting people I have met. I use it exactly for the purposes you stated above.