How not to reconnect with your network

…and what to do instead.

One of the best ways to gain new clients and opportunities is to reconnect with your network: your colleagues, past clients, those friends you’ve been out of touch with, or people who have inquired about your services.

Your friends and family probably don’t remember what your business is really about. Even if they understand what you do and who your ideal clients are, they don’t think about it often enough to be able to refer business to you.

Keeping in touch with your network can result in new clients.

The problem is that when you reconnect with a specific agenda in mind, it can feel “off” to the other person, and it probably feels awkward to you too.

I recently received an email that demonstrates this exactly…

SUBJECT LINE:

Hi George

[Feels off… trying too hard to get my attention.]

EMAIL BODY:

George, hope you are doing well.

[Generic greeting, but OK.]

I remember when you had initially come on my show (when I was just starting out) and I always appreciated your advice back then.

[This could have been written to all of their past guests… it would have been better to get specific about what advice they appreciated, to show that they actually remember what I talked about.]