Reaching out to past clients and contacts might seem overwhelming, but a well-crafted message or call can breathe new life into dormant professional relationships.
Here are five strategies to make your follow-up interactions both comfortable and fruitful and avoid any embarrassment.
1. LinkedIn Reconnection: "I was delighted to reconnect with you on LinkedIn. It reminded me that we haven't caught up in a while. How have you been?" Use their acceptance of your LinkedIn request as a natural segue to a follow-up call.
2. Mutual Acquaintance: "I recently reconnected with [mutual contact's name] and realized we haven't spoken in some time. How's everything on your end?" This approach is ideal when you share mutual connections with a previous client or colleague.
3. Industry News: "I read an article about your company in [publication] and it made me think of you. [Briefly discuss the article]... I wanted to see how you're doing." Use up to date and relevant industry news as a conversation starter.
4. Upcoming Event: "I'll be at the [organization's] conference in August and wondered if you'll be there. It would be great to catch up, perhaps over dinner. Are you planning to attend?" This shows you value face-to-face interactions and are thoughtful about re-engaging.
5. Expert Opinion: Probably my favoured option. "I'm preparing an article on [topic] and thought of you as a perfect source for insights. Would you be open to discussing your views on [topic]?" Acknowledge their expertise as a reason for reaching out. Even better, invite them to be a podcast/webinar guest or appear in your upcoming video.
Employing these tactics not only takes away the fear of making a follow- up call but also offers a genuine purpose for reigniting an old professional connection.