Why this matters:
Your network's strength isn't just in its size, but in the quality and warmth of your connections. Regularly nurturing relationships keeps them active and meaningful. Reaching out before you need something shows genuine interest and builds goodwill.
A simple, personalized check-in can reopen doors, spark forgotten ideas, lead to unexpected insights, or simply brighten someone's day (and yours!). It reinforces your presence in your network ecosystem in a positive, non-transactional way. Strong, maintained relationships are crucial for long-term career resilience and opportunity.
Stuck on what to say?
Keep it simple! Reference a past shared experience, mention something you saw about their company, ask about a known interest, or simply say "Hi, I was thinking of you and wanted to see how you're doing."
Whatever you do, DO NOT forget that every outreach should be considered a two-way street. Think about the value exchange in every networking ask. What you offer in return doesn’t need to be something big, just something genuine.
