How Clinton Managed Tens of Thousands of Contacts

How Clinton Managed Tens of Thousands of Contacts:

Relationships matter. A lot. World leaders probably understand this better than anyone, and it’s fascinating to learn how people in power have handled it. Check out how Bill Clinton created a systemized approach to make sure he remembered and kept in touch with the tens of thousands of people he met:

“Clinton had built up an amazing contact network, but all the essential information about his political supporters was found in handwritten notes on thousands of loose slips of paper and three-by-five index cards that he kept in shoe boxes. Wright put all this data into a computer. The dedicated computer room in the campaign headquarters near the Capitol ran around the clock, churning out Glad-to-Meet-You letters, fundraising solicitations, special letters for first time supporters, for teachers, for the elderly… No other politician in Arkansas had anything comparable. The computer became the extension of Clinton’s tireless personality…” - In search of Bill Clinton: A Psychological Biography

So what exactly was on these cards?

“Each card recorded a piece of his history and reflected his relentless campaign style. On the top corner was the county where the subject of the card lived, or, if the name was from out of state, the era in which that person came into Clinton’s life: Georgetown, Oxford, Yale, McGovern campaign. Running down the left-hand side of the card were dates, starting with the first time Clinton had met the person and every important contact they had had since. In the middle were names, telephone numbers, addresses, sometimes contribution amounts. Another row of dates noted when that person had received a letter from Clinton or his aides known as a GTMY: for Glad to Meet You.” - First in His Class: A Biography of Bill Clinton

Amazing. And even more amazing is that now this secret to success, a robust organizer for relational capital, is available for everyone. Mingly is designed to be like your own dedicated assistant, constantly monitoring your network and reminding you when it’s time to get in touch, so you can build relationships with people who can help you be your best.

How do you keep in touch with your growing network?