networking

I Got an Email That Started With "Dear Valued Connection" I deleted it without reading. We've all received those emails. The language is slightly off, like a translation from corporate speak. The tone tries for warm…

I Lost Touch With My Mentor Because I Had No System I lost touch with my mentor from my first job. Not because of a fight. We just stopped texting. Three years passed. When I finally messaged her, I spent…

The Email That Never Got Sent I had a mentor from my first job. We grabbed coffee every quarter for three years. She gave me advice that shaped my career. When I switched companies, I told myself I'd…

A professional texts three former colleagues every Friday afternoon. She grabs coffee with her old manager once a quarter. Her mentor hears from her every six weeks, like clockwork. This isn't accidental—it's the result of…

Michael, a freelance designer, sends five texts every first Monday of the month. That's it. No elaborate newsletters. No "just checking in" fluff. He texts former clients: "New project wrapping up—made me think of…

I lost touch with a former coworker after I switched jobs. We used to grab lunch every month. Six months passed. When I saw her post about a new project, I wanted to message her but stared at my phone…

Most professionals send holiday cards because it's what you're supposed to do. You order 100 cards, sign your name, maybe add a generic printed message. You mail them in December. Two weeks later, they're…

The Moment An entrepreneur Realized Her Network Had Disappeared An entrepreneur is a freelance writer in Portland. She’s 34, works from a corner desk overlooking her neighbor’s overgrown apple tree, and had always considered herself pretty good at…

You Don't Need a Reason Most people wait years to reconnect because they can't find the right opening. They think they need a job change or major news to justify the message. You don't.…

When Your Contact List Feels Like a To-Do List Most people scroll through their contacts and feel guilt instead of warmth. The problem isn't that you don't care—it's that caring doesn't…

Most people don't lose touch on purpose. Life happens. Work gets busy. Weeks turn into months. By the time you think about reaching out, it feels awkward—like you need an excuse. The solution isn't trying…

Last year, I switched from marketing to product management. I needed advice but felt weird contacting people I hadn't spoken to since my first job. One former colleague, A professional, came to mind. We worked together at a…