You’ve lost touch with your former colleagues. What can you do to reconnect?

Networking and building professional relationships are essential skills for any brand strategist. But sometimes, life gets in the way and you lose contact with your former colleagues who could be valuable sources of information, referrals, or collaboration. How can you rekindle those connections and maintain your personal brand? Here are some tips to help you reconnect with your former colleagues.

1 Update your online profile

Before you reach out to anyone, make sure your online profile reflects your current situation, achievements, and goals. Whether you use LinkedIn, Twitter, or a personal website, your profile should showcase your brand identity and value proposition. You want your former colleagues to see that you are still active, relevant, and open to new opportunities. Update your photo, bio, portfolio, and skills to highlight your recent work and accomplishments.

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Anand Bajoria

President at SKICORP Group | Passionate about sustainability | Consistent Value Addition to Footwear and Leather Accessories Industry | Author of the Book "The Success Secret to Retail Industry"
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In our fast-paced busy lives, we often lose touch with past colleagues or associates. The easiest way to reconnect is by JUST CALL. Simply pick up the phone and call. Acknowledge the lapse in communication and express genuine interest in reconnecting. Engage with their content on LinkedIn and other platforms to foster connections. Remember and greet their special occasions to show appreciation and strengthen bonds..

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Cristiane Thiel

Business Strategy | Branding | Content Marketing | Growth | CMO | Business Intelligence | Data-Driven Marketing
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Consider organizing a reunion event to bring together your former colleagues in a casual and relaxed setting. This could be a simple gathering at a local cafe, a picnic in the park, or a virtual meetup using video conferencing platforms. A reunion event provides an opportunity for everyone to reconnect, reminisce about old times, and catch up on each other's lives and careers.

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2 Be genuine and respectful

When you contact your former colleagues, don't just send a generic message or a sales pitch. Instead, be genuine and respectful. Show that you care about them as individuals, not just as potential leads or clients. Start by acknowledging how long it has been since you last spoke and expressing your interest in catching up. Then, ask them how they are doing, what they are working on, and what challenges they are facing. Listen to their stories and offer your support, feedback, or advice if appropriate. Avoid being pushy or needy and respect their time and boundaries.

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Cristiane Thiel

Business Strategy | Branding | Content Marketing | Growth | CMO | Business Intelligence | Data-Driven Marketing
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Show your willingness to support your former colleagues by offering assistance or help in areas where you have expertise or resources. For example, if you notice that one of your former colleagues is embarking on a new project or venture, offer to provide guidance, mentorship, or introductions to relevant contacts in your network.

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3 Add value and share insights

One of the best ways to reconnect with your former colleagues is to add value and share insights. You can do this by sending them useful resources, articles, podcasts, or events that are relevant to their field, industry, or interests. You can also share your own insights, opinions, or experiences on topics that they might find interesting or helpful. For example, you can share a case study of a successful branding project you worked on, a trend or innovation you noticed in the market, or a challenge or lesson you learned from your work. By adding value and sharing insights, you demonstrate your expertise, credibility, and generosity.

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Cristiane Thiel

Business Strategy | Branding | Content Marketing | Growth | CMO | Business Intelligence | Data-Driven Marketing
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Don't hesitate to share personal updates and milestones with your former colleagues, such as career achievements, life events, or hobbies and interests. Sharing these aspects of your life helps humanize your interactions and fosters a deeper sense of connection and rapport. Whether it's celebrating a promotion, sharing photos from a recent vacation, or discussing a new hobby you've picked up, sharing personal updates can spark conversations and strengthen bonds with your former colleagues.

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4 Suggest a meeting or a call

If you have a positive response from your former colleagues, you can suggest a meeting or a call to deepen the conversation and the relationship. Depending on the situation, you can propose a casual coffee chat, a lunch meeting, a video call, or a phone call. The goal is to have a more personal and meaningful interaction that can lead to further collaboration, referrals, or opportunities. When you suggest a meeting or a call, be clear about your purpose and your expectations. For example, you can say that you want to learn more about their current work, explore potential synergies, or ask for their advice or feedback.

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5 Follow up and stay in touch

The last step to reconnect with your former colleagues is to follow up and stay in touch. After the meeting or the call, send them a thank-you note and express your appreciation for their time and input. You can also recap the main points of the conversation and mention any action items or next steps. Then, keep the communication going by sending periodic updates, checking in on their progress, or sharing relevant news or opportunities. You can also use social media, newsletters, or blogs to stay on their radar and show your ongoing interest and value.

Reconnecting with your former colleagues can be a rewarding and beneficial experience for your personal and professional growth. By following these tips, you can reestablish your rapport, strengthen your network, and enhance your brand.

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Harlin Miller Jr

Producer and Photographer
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Simple reach you! You don’t need a strategy for this. We often overthink things that are so simple. Send them a message, DM, or email and set up some time to catch up; whether that be in person or virtually. Then take it from there!

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6 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?

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You’ve lost touch with your former colleagues. What can you do to reconnect?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Update your online profile

2 Be genuine and respectful

3 Add value and share insights

4 Suggest a meeting or a call

5 Follow up and stay in touch

6 Here’s what else to consider

Branding

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You’ve lost touch with your former colleagues. What can you do to reconnect?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Update your online profile

2 Be genuine and respectful

3 Add value and share insights

4 Suggest a meeting or a call

5 Follow up and stay in touch

6 Here’s what else to consider

Branding

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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