Take a photo to cement your first meeting

I write weekly about the strategies, habits, and tactics around cultivating the connections that matter to you.

Ever walked away from a conference or networking event with a stack of business cards, only to forget who half of these people are by the time you get home? You're definitely not alone.

I've been watching how people build lasting relationships, and I was fascinated when I observed someone do this exact trick a dozen times over the course of a couple days. There's a super simple technique that can turn a forgettable first meeting into the beginning of a real connection: taking a photo together.

Here's why it works so brilliantly:

1. It creates an instant social bond. Taking a photo together feels personal - you're not just exchanging contact info, you're creating a shared moment.

2. It serves as a memory prompt. When you use that photo as the first message in your follow-up text or email, it instantly jogs both your memories about where and when you met.

3. It stands out. Most people send generic "Great to meet you" messages. A photo of the two of you smiling together feels much more authentic and memorable.

4. It adds a face to the name. We're visual creatures - seeing someone's face makes them more real to us than just a name in our contacts.

The next time you meet someone you'd like to stay in touch with, simply say, "Hey, let's take a quick photo so we remember where we met!" Most people are happy to oblige. Then, when you follow up later that day or the next morning, include the photo with a simple message about how nice it was to connect.

This tiny habit takes seconds but can dramatically improve your ability to maintain relationships after first meetings. Give it a try at your next event and see the difference it makes.

What's your go-to move for following up with new contacts? I'd love to hear what works for you!

Until next week - Zvi

P.S. Use your phone’s Notes (or Relatable) to drop the pic right in with a couple memory cues. Future you will thank you.

On YouTube: Feel Like a Fraud? Here’s How to Show Up Confident in Any Room

Think networking is all about who you know? Not quite. In this video, we dive into how building a better relationship with "yourself" is the real secret to making authentic, lasting connections.

Topics We Cover:

• Why self-acceptance is the foundation of confident networking

• How imposter syndrome quietly kills your connection potential

• The 3 hidden mindset traps that block authentic relationships

• Five simple strategies to boost self-worth before any event

• How to stop taking rejection personally—and reframe it for growth

You can see all my videos and interviews on my channel! If you find these helpful, I’d appreciate a like, subscribe, and share with a friend, colleague, or enemy.

If you found this valuable, you might love Relatable. It’s the CRM built from the ground up to help you grow your network, not your business pipeline (but it does that too).