Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

My Office Zilla · #1 (**permalink**) 06-24-2008

I found this great article today at SpeedNetworking.com and can't wait to try come of the suggestions. The article is about reconnecting with people you were actively connected with at some point in time. This is great for people starting a new business...like many of us here. The first part of the article runs the usual suggestions but the second part is the gem...

Instead of “let’s catch up,” e-mail them something along the lines of this:

“We haven’t talked for a while. It would be great to touch base briefly on the phone. I’d like to hear what you’re up to these days and also learn about the connections you’re currently trying to make. Once I learn more, I might be able to help you find a client, referral source or whoever else it is you’re looking for right now. What does your schedule look like over the next week or two for a phone call?”

Look closely at what you just said:

“…briefly on the phone…” (you’re respecting their valuable time)
“…connections you’re currently trying to make…” (what they need now)
“…once I learn more…” (a reason to talk to you to get the help they need)
“…help you find a client, referral source or whoever…” (you’re covering all the bases)
“You” and “you’re” are the predominant words. It’s all about them.
Put yourself in their shoes. What would your response be to that e-mail?

Isn't that great!?

For the whole article go here. You can find additional articles from their website on this page.

Make it a great day!

Tess · #2 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008

Sundi, I do agree these are all great points and useful pieces of advice.
I find that there are those time I really want to touch base with a 'sometimes client' to see if I can spring them back into my schedule but am sometimes a bit unsure of just how to approach them...there's still that part of me that 'doubts' they actually need my services even though I know perfectly well they DO but they're just not the organized type and need some motivation.

I've got one in particular I'm going to give this a shot with...we'll see how it goes!

My Office Zilla · #3 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008

I used this general idea in an email the other day with a NEW contact...someone I hadn't met yet. We were introduced by a mutual contact (Shawn, that is, the one who mentioned me in his blog

). I received a response back immediately!

I think regardless of the familiarity between two people these points still hit home...the focus on them, the need to talk to you, respect, etc. Now I've created an draft email so I can use these words, or the idea of them, easily and frequently.

I'm interested in how it goes Tess...give us an update once you reconnect.

Make it a great day!

AwesomeAssistant · #4 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008

Building relationships is so important. My husband and I had an interesting conversation yesterday with a business acquaintance. She had met us at a networking event, then emailed asking if we could chat about the type of clients we're looking for so she could refer the appropriate type of person.

My husband at first thought that she just wanted to give us her sales pitch. But we agreed to talk with her. Well, she called and really wanted to know all about our businesses and the types of people she could refer to us. That's it! So then of course we wanted to learn all about her business. And now we each know the types of people to refer.

I loved how she did this and am thinking that I want to do this. Be sincerely interested in someone's business to find out who you can refer to them. It will be reciprocated.

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