TL;DR: Build a simple personal CRM in Notion by creating one database with People, Company, Last Contact, and Next Follow-Up fields, then switch to Board view to track relationship stages. You’ll have a working system in under 15 minutes—no templates or coding needed.
Step 1: Create the Master Database
Open Notion and create a new page (or use an existing one). Type “/database” and select “Database – Inline.” Name it “Personal CRM.” You’ll get a default table with a “Name” column. Rename that column to “Person” – this is where you’ll type each contact’s first and last name.
If you want to dig deeper, check out our guide on EES Rollout Megathread: Start Date, Requirements, & Key Upda.
Step 2: Add Essential Fields
Click the “+” at the right end of the table header to add properties. Add these exact property types:
• Company (Text) – where they work.
• Last Contact (Date) – the last time you spoke, emailed, or met.
• Next Follow-Up (Date) – your planned touchpoint.
• Relationship Stage (Select) – with options: New, Casual, Active, Key, Dormant.
• Notes (Text) – anything important (birthday, kids’ names, recent win).
Step 3: Input Your First 5 Contacts
Click “New” in the table row and type a name. Fill in Company, set Last Contact to today (click the date field, then “Today”), and set Next Follow-Up to +7 days from today. Choose a Stage (start everyone as “New” unless they’re already a close friend). Add one short note per person—e.g., “Met at conference – interested in AI startups.”
Step 4: Switch to Board View
At the top-left of the database, click the “+ Add a view” button. Choose “Board.” In the board’s “Group by” setting (top-right), select “Relationship Stage.” You’ll now see columns for each stage. Drag and drop a contact from “New” to “Active” after you have a real conversation. This visual pipeline is your CRM’s core—you see who needs attention at a glance.
Step 5: Build a “Due Today” Filter
Click “Filter” under the view name. Add a rule: “Next Follow-Up” is “On or before” “Today.” Save this as a new view called “Action Queue.” Every morning, open this view to see exactly who you owe a message to. No more losing track of relationships.
Step 6: Quick-Add from Anywhere
Click the “+” in the left sidebar (or press Ctrl/Cmd + N) to create a new page, type the person’s name, then type “/” and select “Link to database.” Choose your CRM database. This creates a linked record—you can add notes directly on that person’s page, and it syncs back to your master table.
Pro Tips for Long-Term Use
• Set a recurring weekly reminder (using Notion’s “Remind me” on the database page) to review your Action Queue every Monday at 9 AM.
• Use the “Last Contact” date to sort by “Oldest first” in a table view—that shows you who you’ve neglected longest.
• Don’t over-engineer. Stick to 5 fields for the first month. Add tags (e.g., “Mentor,” “Client,” “Friend”) only when you feel the need.
FAQ
Q: Can I use this for professional networking AND personal friends?
A: Yes—just add a second Select field called “Type” with options “Work” and “Personal,” then filter your board by
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