Dos and Don” ts of Contacting People.

Whether it’s contacting someone you already know or someone you’ve been referred to, there are some dos and don’ts. It is perhaps obvious but always worth considering as it is only too easy to forget in the excitement.

Building networks is a marathon, not a sprint. Take time to build relationships. Remember

“Softly, softly catchy monkey.”

The flexibility of the dos and don’ts depends greatly on how well you know the person. Excellent friends might, and I stress might accept a phone call in the early hours of the morning if you’re desperate. Referrals, especially people at a higher level, might appreciate or even demand a more formal approach by letter before agreeing to talk.

Your judgment.

The next lesson provides some suggested dos and don’ts. Please print it out and add any you think are important. Add your ideas to the discussion section. We can all learn from each other.

Dos

Ask your contact to speak to their contact first to ask permission for you to contact them.
ask your contact to let their contact know you’ll be calling
It makes sense to follow this advice if you refer people to one of your contacts.
take along a pen and a decent notebook
Take the time to think about and write down the questions you are looking for answers to. Yes, conversations can develop but have the courtesy of going with a purpose.
Write down the answers. Phone numbers, emails, website details, and other factual information make sense to record and confirm they’re correct.
schedule some me time after the meeting to jot down ideas and information
thank the person for their time
ask permission if you think you might want to contact them again
Follow up with a more formal written thank you after the meeting. It solidifies and provides them with your contact info. You never know.
Remember to thank your contact and let them know how the meeting went. Stay positive even if the meeting wasn’t helpful.
record contact information for future follow up

Don’ts

Waste people time by being underprepared
expect people to help or provide contacts; you can still thank them for listening, maybe next time
just concentrate on yourself, reciprocate or pay it forward with referrals
Ask everyone and their aunt for help. Focus
keep asking for help you have to do something for yourself sometime
Think No. the answer might be no but politely ask the question, will you/can you help? This applies to contacts you are referred to and people you will refer others to.
Phone calls
Greeting cards
Funny/useful gifts
Snail mail to stand out
Never lose touch, but if you don’t be afraid to reach out.