How to Write a Reconnecting Email to Build Your Professional Network

One of the most difficult things about growing a business network is that as soon as you feel like you've connected with a wide group of people, you automatically start losing touch with them.

Life gets busy for everyone, and people find new jobs, move to different cities, and gain more responsibilities. But keeping a strong network allows you to gain insights, like learning when potential job openings are available and discovering more about industry standards.

Therefore, establishing and keeping a strong professional and personal network are important assets for any businessperson. Although you can meet people in many settings, from company get-togethers to trade shows, and even at family get-togethers, the most common way to reconnect with people is through email.

Whether you are starting out in a new industry or you're a seasoned pro, the career counselors from Enhancv can offer valuable professional advice on how to establish professional connections.

Why should you send a reconnecting email?"?

A reconnecting email is a message sent to someone who you've lost touch with, either in a professional setting or through personal connections. You can use them both for previous clients and former colleagues.

They can be a great way to boost response rates if you've built up an email list for clients. In fact, reconnecting emails can be sent to people who unsubscribe from your newsletter email. Although it may seem like an arduous task to win back people who have left, reconnecting emails can offer new value to former clients.

Alternatively, a reconnecting message can also be used as a networking email, one where you are reconnecting with old colleagues. You can also easily reconnect with old connections by sending a simple thank you email.

Reconnecting and networking email templates

What does this email do well?"?

The best thing about this email is that it gets straight to the point, and the author of email shares exactly where he and the email recipient met last. Not only that, the author of email builds on the success that he had at the trade show, explains more details about the tools that he was selling, and creates a great call to action where he can meet the client in person.

What does this email do well?

Every email that you send out is going to be personalized to the recipient. This specific email is written informally, as the author of the email worked and knew the recipient. The reason for meeting up is also informal, as the sender is looking to catch up with an old colleague over a meal.

What does this email do well?"?

This email is both a reconnecting email and also the first step in applying for a new position. The email sender includes both her resume and cover letter in the email. Also, in contrast to the other email templates above, this is more focused on sharing about the skills and abilities of the author of the email.

What does this email do well?"?

The best thing about this email is that it is straightforward, focusing in on one specific reason: the author of the email wants to purchase the products at the email recipient. There's no fluff or added information.

What does this email do well?

It's not always easy to ask for advice from a mentor, but what this email does well is it explains why this former professor can lend some advice on marketing efforts. It's also very personalized and sticks to relevant information. Generic emails are more likely to be lost within the clutter of an email inbox. This email also takes a friendly tone as the author seeks guidance.

How to craft eye-catching subject lines

Using a catchy subject line is one of the easiest ways to grab the attention of the recipient. Ask anyone in the sales industry, and they'll tell you that a great subject line is your foot in the door to start a conversation with the new client.

The best email subject lines are:

• Personalized to the email recipient
• Concise and to the point
• Offer a tempting reason for the recipient to open the email

Crafting a great email subject line looks difficult, but can actually be pretty simple. Take a little time to learn about the email recipient, and this can allow you to personalize the email. Below, you can find some examples of eye-catching subject lines below:

Tips to send a reconnecting email

1. Be direct about your request - Even if you feel uncomfortable with asking somebody for something, nobody likes it when someone beats around the bush about something that they have to ask. Try to say what you mean to say, and do it in a concise, easy-to-understand fashion.
2. Keep the tone of your email friendly - When reconnecting with potential customers or old clients, it's always a good idea to just keep a friendly tone. You can do this by using a friendly greeting, as well as asking about their life. Asking about their life and what's going on with them can help to show that you're not just interested in what you can get from them.
3. Offer to lend a hand - Sometimes it's better to give than to receive, and, whenever possible, try to share ways you could offer advice or practical help for the email recipient. Not only would they appreciate that, but it can also be a great way to reconnect with that person.

Key takeaways:

• The best way to catch someone's attention is to create an eye-catching subject line.
• Keep the tone of your email friendly and professional.
• Email personalization is key to networking emails.
• Offer something of value to your contact, even creative ideas.
• Include a call to action which addresses the needs of the recipient.

Establishing new connections is never easy, but if you want to improve sales and move forward in your career, it would benefit you to speak with a career counselor at Enhancv. They can provide you with a few tips to reach your target audience and help you gain insights into professional networking.