Hi Everyone
I just found two good articles on reconnecting/keeping in touch after connecting via LinkedIn or any other social networking facility.
Here are some excerpts and links to the original articles.
Keeping in Touch:
Step 2-Send a brief note to say hello, and ask them how they are doing. People appreciate it when you show a personal interest in them. Be sincere about it, and really listen when they tell you how they are feeling. If you are able to share encouragement, do so.
Step 3- Always be ready to help others in any way that you can. Sometimes you might not be able to do very much, but something is better than nothing at all. Keep in mind that networking is about giving, helping, and building relationships.
Step 4-What about if you don’t really know what to talk about, or what would be of interest to your new network contact? Google their name or company to find out something interesting about them. Ask a question or provide positive feedback based on your findings. Most people love that you took that extra step to learn more about them, but some might not.
Step 5-We are all very busy these days, but if you don’t reach out to your contacts now and again, you will be quickly forgotten. Try to keep in touch twice a month, if you are able to. If you have a lot of contacts and find it difficult to contact with them twice a month, then you might want to contact them once a month, or something close to that.
Read the full article here.
Reconnecting After A Long While:
Step 2- Make the first contact. One of the easiest ways to reconnect is via email. I recommend putting the person at ease by acknowledging up front that it’s been a while since you connected. If you’re embarrassed, say so. This approach is applicable not only to friends and co-workers but also to people you met at networking functions but never followed up with. Be gracious and take ownership of the lapse in communication. This removes the anxiety the other person may have for not keeping in contact with you. If you’re feeling brave, your first contact can be a phone call. Don’t assume that the person will recognize your voice after a long period of time. Whether in an email or phone call, re-introduce yourself and refresh their memory about the last time you spoke to them. If you reach out via one of the social networking sites don’t just send a connect request, always attach a personal message as you would in an email.
Step 5-5. Maintain the connection. Now that you’ve done the hard part, don’t relapse. Create a follow-up system that will keep you on track to stay connected. This can be as simple as putting reminders on your calendar or as complex as using a contact management application. Pick what works for you, your network and your lifestyle. For some connections, a monthly email will suffice, for others a more frequent or more personal approach may be needed. Take advantage of social networking sites such as Linked-In and Face Book. These sites make it easy for your network to know what’s happening with you. Even though you’re not personally speaking to each person, you’re keeping them in the loop.
Read the full article here.
careerxpert001
