Reconnecting with Contacts: The 2020 Holiday Edition
The holidays are a perfect time to network, to reach out to those people in your network with whom you may have lost touch. I get a lot of questions about logistics:
“There’s no holiday party this year”.
“We can’t gather in groups”.
“We can’t see anyone in person right now”.
“I haven’t talked to this person in a year (or more)”.
Yes, all of these points are valid, but there’s never been a better time to reach out and see how someone is holding up, especially this year and during the holidays.
Here Are A Few Key Tips:
The holidays are a great time to reconnect with contacts you haven’t talked to in awhile, with whom you were supposed to follow up with or have been meaning to check in with.
Wish them a happy holiday and/or a happy new year! It’s a great reintroduction and excuse to reach out.
Any time around Thanksgiving through early in the New Year is ideal for letting someone know you are thinking of them and their families. It will likely be appreciated that you are checking in to ask how someone has been holding up in 2020 with a kind message. It is also OK to give a brief update about yourself. It’s OK if you haven’t been in touch in a while, most people will understand unless there is a reason in your history for them not to do so. I’ll leave that to your own judgement on who would be appropriate to reach out to in your professional network. It is also OK to ask to speak further, do a Zoom call, or discuss one day meeting up if/when it’s safe to do so.
Keep Things Positive
It has been a rough year for everyone, some people have had COVID or lost people, some have lost their homes, their jobs, and/or have been victims of violence. Please be sensitive when you reach out and don’t dwell on too many negative specifics in your initial outreach. Keep it short, professional, and express a genuine interest in hearing how the other person is doing. Keep the focus on them in the initial outreach.
Any Mode of Outreach is Generally Acceptable
Emails, calls, LinkedIn, or even text or social media can work too (if appropriate for the nature of the relationship).
Do Not Ask for a Job
This would not be appropriate, especially in the initial outreach. Keep it about relationship building only right now.
Do Not Use these Tips to Reach Out to an Ex
These guidelines are for professional use only.