Oddly enough, I sometimes find out birthdays when people casually mention their horoscope or make comments like “I’m such a Taurus.” Then I usually ask, “When is that again?” or “Oh, when is your birthday?” They are quick to pop the date right out and then tell me all the unique qualities of themselves, most of their family members, co-workers, and anyone else they have birthday information on.

It also comes out a lot when eating at a Chinese restaurant where they have those place mats with the Chinese horoscopes on them. The trick is to remember it later and get it into your database.

Tania

A good reminder system just needs the day and month if they are all loaded in as 2007, it doesn’t matter. I also use Plaxo as my reminder system and extensively use the Plaxo card system to send a email card out to everyone having a birthday. Plaxo gives me a 7 day reminder in advance.

A person birthday is the most important day of the whole year to them, get that right and you will surely impress them. And of course once you have a birthdate its good for the rest of their life!

Depending on one’s business, the long-standing practice of “Birthday Clubs” can be an effective way to keep in touch in the B2C world. A restaurant could offer a free burger. Our local toy store offers a shoe-box full of little trinket toys to birthday club members.

You make a good point about the way Plaxo does not require year – many people are probably reluctant to give their birthday because they don’t want others to know their age. Making the year optional takes care of that concern.