I had a similar workflow but then I realized the communication was mostly done on a need basis. If you've to define your ideal workflow for keeping in touch, what would that look like?

I feel the most important thing is keeping a conversation going. So I try to have back-and-forth questions.

I'm torn if face-to-face interactions help significantly. Although, if I see someone enough in an unstructured way, I'll either become good friends or want to not see each other again. :)

Facebook is great for keeping in touch in a casual way. Ask questions here and there, comment on their life achievements, etc.

I've noticed that once I got more of my professional network on Facebook, I've been more conscious about posting drama, this-is-how-it-should-be opinions, etc. That's a good thing but man was it hard at the beginning to keep myself from posting rants!!! :D

haha. Totally agree with keeping an active communication. Without communication, those relationships tend to grow cold and slowly die.

Funny thing I realized not too long ago is that everyone has a different idea of what it means when they say "I know this person." I used to think sales people were well connected (and I'm sure they are), but when a sales person says they know someone, it probably means they met at a bar somewhere at least once. :)

For myself, it would be hard for me to say I know them, let alone call them up. Maybe the lesson for myself is that most people are pretty receptive of just being called up if you have a legitimate reason and there's no harm in being more open about connecting (you won't get in trouble for calling someone a friend even though they are definition an acquaintance).