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Once you start a network, you need to keep in touch. After all, what is the point of going to all the work of meeting people if they slip back into the obscurity of memory. It is the easiest thing to let happen. We are busy and it seems we hardly have time to keep up with our current friends and family. Isn’t it insane to add more to the list? Nope. It is easy. It is important.
A professional network doesn’t take a lot of care and feeding. What it needs is a good reminder system, a phone or a computer and a few minutes.
As I have said before, I use Toodledo for managing my to do lists. It also manages my network. I have a folder set up just for this. When I meet a new contact I want to stay in touch with, I add a recurring task. The title of the task is “KITW – John Doe”. KITW means Keep In Touch With. I set a start and due date about two weeks apart and a repeat frequency of one to three months. A task that will pop up regularly to remind me to reach out and reconnect with a friend.
Setting up the automation is worth the few minutes. It will take all the effort out of remembering who you haven’t talked to in awhile. As you develop relationships, you will find you already talked to that person recently when the reminder appears. Simply check it off and it will come back at the appropriate time.
The next question that scares a lot of people is “what do I have to do to reach out?” After all, I haven’t talked to them for a long time. Will they think I am a lousy person for not talking to them sooner? Probably not. They didn’t talk to me either, and I don’t think less of them. The truth is, we are all busy. What would you think if a friend you hadn’t talked to since high school sent you an email or called on the phone? Most likely, you would be thrilled they reached out. It only takes a few minutes. It pays huge dividends when someone responds.
Screen shot of my list
All that needs to be done is send a quick email or make a short phone call. A simple, “Hi, how are you. Hope all is well. This is what is happening with me professionally right now. How about you? If you need anything, please contact me. I’m happy to help” is all that is needed. You don’t even have to talk directly to them. Call late in the evening when you know they are out of the office and leave it on their voice mail or send it in an email. Depending on the relationship, you may add a few more details. Honestly, though, that is all you need to keep a professional contact up to date. Remember, it is all about Give, Give, Give. You just want to remind them that you are there to help them if they need it.
Will they respond? Maybe not. Many of my contacts don’t respond. I don’t know if they think I am a nut job or not. It doesn’t matter. They have a delete key. However, if there is ever a time when they need something and my email shows up, I hope they call. I won’t berate them for not replying sooner. I’ll be thrilled they thought enough of me to call. I will do everything I can to help them, too.
It only takes a few minutes every few weeks. Stay in touch. Offer assistance in whatever they need. That is what networking is all about.
Postscript: As I was finishing up editing this post, one of my best friends I haven’t heard from in nearly a year popped up a video chat window. He had to go all the way to Costa Rica to find time to call, but I am so glad to hear from him. I probably woke the whole house up with my shout of joy. I’m telling you. Keep In Touch with your friends.
image source: The Digital Scratchpad
. He explains how every morning, he calls the people on his birthday list and immediately bursts into singing Happy Birthday as soon as they answer. It is a great way to start the day. I like it. I also use Google calendar to keep track of appointments, although I admit I also track them in my office Outlook calendar so that I don’t miss anything. I hate duplicating efforts, but until I get an iPhone or some single device, that is where I have to live.
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