How do you reconnect with a former colleague or client?

1 Identify your purpose

Before you reach out to a former colleague or client, you should have a clear idea of why you want to reconnect with them and what you hope to achieve from the conversation. Do you want to catch up on their career progress, ask for a referral, offer your services, or explore a collaboration? Your purpose will determine the tone, timing, and channel of your message, as well as the value proposition you can offer them.

2 Choose the best method

Depending on your relationship and purpose, you may want to use different methods to reconnect with a former colleague or client. For example, you may opt for a phone call, an email, a social media message, or a handwritten note. You should consider the level of formality, the response time, and the personal touch of each method. Generally, a phone call is more direct and urgent, an email is more formal and detailed, a social media message is more casual and friendly, and a handwritten note is more thoughtful and memorable.

3 Craft a personalized message

Once you have chosen the best method to reconnect with a former colleague or client, you should craft a personalized message that shows your interest, appreciation, and value. You should start by reminding them of who you are and how you know each other, and then express your genuine curiosity about their current situation and achievements. You should also mention the purpose of your message and the benefit for them, and end with a clear call to action that invites them to reply, schedule a meeting, or check out your offer.

4 Follow up and maintain contact

After you have sent your initial message, you should follow up and maintain contact with your former colleague or client until you achieve your desired outcome. You should be respectful, persistent, and flexible, and avoid being pushy, needy, or spammy. You should also keep track of your communication and follow through on your promises and commitments. You should aim to build trust, rapport, and value with your former colleague or client, and nurture the relationship for the long term .

5 Be respectful and authentic

One of the most important things to remember when reconnecting with a former colleague or client is to be respectful and authentic. You should respect their time, privacy, and preferences, and avoid contacting them too frequently, too late, or too early. You should also be authentic and sincere in your communication, and avoid exaggerating, lying, or manipulating. You should treat your former colleague or client as a human being, not as a transaction, and show genuine interest and care for them.

6 Seek feedback and improve

Finally, you should seek feedback and improve your skills and strategies for reconnecting with a former colleague or client. You should ask for their opinion and suggestions on how you can improve your service, offer, or collaboration. You should also reflect on your own performance and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You should learn from your successes and failures, and apply your insights and lessons to your future interactions. You should always strive to improve your communication, relationship, and value with your former colleague or client.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?