What are effective ways to reconnect with a contact after a long time?

2 Use the right channel

The second step to reconnecting with a contact after a long time is to use the right channel to communicate. The channel you choose will depend on your relationship, the tone of your message, its urgency, and how likely the person is to respond. Generally, email is a safe and professional option for most business contacts, especially if you haven't spoken to them in a while. Text messages and phone calls are more personal and require more attention, so use them sparingly and only if you have a strong rapport with the person. However, social media messages and handwritten notes can be more casual and creative, though they may not be as effective or appropriate for some contacts.

3 Be respectful and authentic

The third step to reconnecting with a contact after a long time is to be respectful and authentic in your message. You should address the person by their name and use an appropriate salutation and sign-off. Acknowledge the time gap and briefly explain why you're reaching out now. Show your interest and appreciation for the person and their work, but don't make any requests or pitches right away. Keep your message concise, clear, warm, and conversational. Lastly, end your message with a question or call to action that invites the person to reply or follow up.

4 Follow up and follow through

The fourth step to reconnecting with a contact after a long time is to follow up and follow through on your message. You don't want to let the conversation die or leave the person hanging; instead, you should keep the momentum going and build trust and rapport. To do this, you should send a follow-up message if you don't hear back from the person within a reasonable time frame, such as a week or two. Remind them of your previous message and restate your reason and value for reconnecting. Additionally, you should respond promptly and politely to any reply you receive from the person, thanking them for their time and attention while addressing any questions or comments they have. Furthermore, don't forget to deliver on any promises or commitments you made in your message, such as sending a resource, making an introduction, or scheduling a meeting. Finally, stay in touch and nurture the relationship by providing regular updates, sharing relevant information, offering support, and asking for feedback.

5 Reconnect with a purpose

The fifth step to reconnecting with a contact after a long time is to reconnect with a purpose. You don't want to just reach out for the sake of it, but rather for something that benefits both parties. This could be offering or seeking a referral or recommendation, proposing a collaboration or partnership, providing or requesting a service or product, giving or receiving a donation, sponsorship, or grant, or applying for or hiring for a job, project, or contract. Make sure you have built up enough trust and value with the person before reconnecting and that your proposition aligns with their needs and interests. Additionally, be mindful of their time and resources and be prepared to handle rejections gracefully.

6 Reconnect with gratitude

The sixth and final step to reconnecting with a contact after a long time is to show your gratitude. You should express your appreciation and recognition for their help and support by sending a thank-you message or note that acknowledges the specific value or benefit that the person provided to you. Additionally, providing a reciprocal value or benefit, such as a referral, recommendation, testimonial, gift, or favor can be beneficial. Celebrating their successes and milestones and congratulating them on their achievements and awards is also important. Furthermore, keeping them updated on your progress and results, as well as sharing any feedback or insights that you learned from working with them can help maintain the relationship. Lastly, look for opportunities to reconnect again in the future. Reconnecting with a contact after a long time can be difficult but ultimately rewarding if done correctly; by following these six steps, you can revive dormant connections and rekindle the rapport that can lead to new opportunities and outcomes for both you and your contacts.

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?