You’ve amassed a long list of contacts from your time spent at varying jobs, networking events, and volunteer groups. It’s understandably hard to keep up with everyone along the way; overtime, the majority of your network may become comprised of contacts you haven’t spoken to in years.
But when the situation arises where it’s beneficial for you to reach out to an old contact, how you reach out can be just as important as whom you reach out to.
Sara McCord, author of How to (Non-Awkwardly) Reach Out to Old Contacts, explains that reaching out to old contacts the right way can be the difference between getting a reply back, or getting ignored. Here are 4 ways to properly reconnect with old contacts:
A retweet, “like,” or comment, is an effortless way to keep the relationship “warm,” and makes it easier to connect for a quick lunch or meeting down the line.
1. Be Specific With Your Request
Be as specific with your request as possible when reconnecting with someone who has advised you in the past.
Instead of leaving your requests too open-ended (“I could use some advice”), be granular and include examples. If your manager from 5 years ago gave great presentations and you’re looking for tips on how to do the same, include specific details about what made the presentations so memorable, and areas you’re looking to improve upon. A clear and concise message removes any uncertainty your contact may have with fulfilling your request.
2. Reference Tangible Memories
Most people looking to reconnect with old contacts are trying to reach out to someone who hasn’t advised them in the past. Asking for help from a contact for the first time can add a new dimension to the relationship; you’ve never asked this person for a favour, and he or she may not even remember the details of your relationship properly.
Instead of trying to oversell (“I miss you!”) or undersell the relationship (“I’m not sure if you remember me, but…”), use a tangle memory in your message. If you worked on the same project at one point, took a class together, or were introduced by a mutual friend at a dinner party, mention this in your message. Finding a shared memory helps your contact remember the details of your relationship, and is more likely to respond and help as a result.
3. Stay Active on Social Media
Following people in your network on popular social networks helps to “grease the wheels” when looking to reconnect. A retweet, “like,” or comment, is an effortless way to keep the relationship “warm,” and makes it easier to connect for a quick lunch or meeting down the line.
4. Always Follow Up
In the article How Not to Reconnect With an Old Contact, Sara McCord offers a fourth tip to reconnecting with those in your network: always follow up.
Reply back on time to any questions your contact has. Treat this like you’re arranging for a job interview – if you take too long to reply back, the opportunity will be lost.
Similarly, if your contact asks for more information via email, don’t offer to answer over a phone call or in person meeting. Listen to what your contact is saying or requesting in order to come off as accommodating, responsive, attentive, and kind.