Warm Ways to Maintain Your Network Without the Ick
I have a confession: I actually like networking. I know! It sounds crazy. Most people tell me they hate it because it feels sleazy or transactional, and that’s true—when it’s bad networking. Good networking is maintaining a human connection with people.
WHY NETWORK?
🌱 Maintaining connections can help in the long run
Growing up, I loved playing The Sims. I never quite understood the relationship meter as a kid, but now as an adult, I do! If you never interact with someone, your relationship meter drops to zero. In real life though, you can't just spam 'Tell Joke' 50 times to fix it. You need genuine, occasional touch points.
Below are some tips and templates on maintaining your network over time.
IMPROMPTU CHECK-INS
🫱🏾🫲🏼 Reach out and be genuine
Here are some general word tracks to reach out to someone in a warm way without the ick. This works beyond professional networking, too! If you’re looking to reconnect with a friend after a while, these word tracks work, too.
Quick Life Update — you’re the one giving before asking
Hi [Name]! It's been a minute—hope you're doing well. Quick life update on my end: [1-2 sentences about what you're up to]. Would love to hear what you've been working on when you have a chance to catch up!
“I thought of you” — referencing a shared memory makes it personal
Hey [Name], just wanted to pop in and say hi. I thought about you the other day. [optional: I saw (what reminded you of them)], and wanted to let you know you crossed my mind. Hope things are going well for you!
Sharing Something Use — you’re providing value first
Hi [Name]! I came across [article/resource/job posting/meme] and immediately thought of you because of [specific reason related to their work/interests/situation]. Thought I'd share in case it's useful. Hope you're having a good week!
BUT TO WHOM?
📇 Who you should be reaching out to
Where do you draw the line between personal and professional networking? Well, sometimes they’re a bit intertwined, since those with whom you get along at work may also be the ones who can lend a hand in the workplace. If you’re just starting to build a network or you’re not sure whom you should reach out to, check out my guide on how to leverage LinkedIn to expand your network for tips on finding the right people to connect with in the first place.
Quick Commercial Break
LinkedIn has their OPEN FOR WORK profile frame, but we know that most people honestly hate networking.
HOLIDAY CHEER
🎁 A proactive annual touchpoint
I’m actually a bit of a Grinch; I don’t personally celebrate any holiday in December. Despite that, I recognize that most others are having a festive and fun time with family and friends. It’s a great time to send a warm message and proactively reconnect with someone. In fact, the holidays give you permission! It becomes less like networking and more like a seasonally appropriate outreach. It’s not transactional so it’s not icky. It’s just being nice and showing them that they’re in your thoughts. Try something like this:
Happy holidays, [Name]! I know this time of year gets hectic, but I wanted to take a moment to reach out and let you know I've been thinking about you. Hope you're ending the year on a high note and getting some time to recharge. Looking forward to staying connected in the new year!
Hey [Name]! Sending some holiday cheer your way 🎄 Hope you're finding time to relax among all the end-of-year chaos. Would love to catch up in the new year if you're up for it!
If the holidays are really not your jam or you missed a few folks around Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza, you can also send out messages to wish them a fantastic new year.
Happy New Year, [Name]! I'm going into 20XX with some [exciting projects/big changes/new goals], and I'd love to hear what you're working on or thinking about for the year ahead. Let's find time to catch up soon!
PRACTICAL TIPS
💬 Use your voice
Make these templates yours. They’re a starting point, not a script. Add your personality, adjust the tone, personalize them!
📱 Leverage tools and technology
On that note, don’t be afraid to use AI; ask it for more ideas on ways to send meaningful messages to reconnect with someone. You can copy a template and ask AI to riff off of that, but make it more…[friendly, professional, etc.].
Most messaging apps have the ability to schedule messages ahead of time, so you can start planning your messages (especially for the holidays) ahead of time, so it doesn’t feel like a big task to reach out to a lot of people on the day of.
✍️ Not everyone will respond—and that’s okay
Depending on your relationship with that person, you may not get a response. This isn’t failure on your end. This is reality. When networking, you’re planting seeds and cultivating them over time, not demanding immediate harvests. The goal isn’t a 100% response rate. Rather, it’s about staying on people’s radar in a way that feels good to you. The most important part is that you reached out.