Making the most of your summer connections
Ever thought about how many of your recent connections are slipping off your radar? Summer is often quieter in business, with events on hold, but it’s the perfect time to reconnect with the people who matter most.
Reflect before you reach out
Think about the people you’ve met recently: prospective clients, existing clients, introducers, or other key contacts. Maybe that was a new connection or maybe a reconnection – both are very valuable. Did you manage to catch up over coffee, lunch, or even just an email exchange?
If so, ask yourself: did you agree a clear next step with them or plan one and find a way to make sure it happens?
Next steps matter
Moving a connection forward doesn’t have to be complicated. Some ideas include:
Sending additional information they might find useful
Arranging a more in-depth discussion if you can see an opportunity.
Connecting them with someone else (always asking both parties first)
Setting a reminder to reconnect in a few weeks or months
The key is that the interaction doesn’t stop at a casual chat—it has purpose and momentum.
Stay top of mind
The reason for these follow-ups will differ depending on the contact type, but one thing remains constant: you want to stay top of mind.
Maybe they don’t need your support right now but might later whether they realise it or not
Maybe someone they know does
Either way, being present in their memory increases the chances they’ll think of you when an opportunity arrives.
Build trust over time
Trust is essential, and it takes time, especially with new contacts or introducers. While your existing clients may already know and rely on you, prospective contacts often need repeated touchpoints to feel confident in working with you or referring others. This could be as simple as what they see about you on LinkedIn. I have had plenty of clients who, met me at networking or saw me speak that then became a client after finding out more about me and my work on LinkedIn.
Ask yourself: how can you continue to nurture trust in the weeks ahead, not just during the quieter summer months?
Focus on what matters
You can’t stay in touch with everyone, so prioritise wisely:
Focus on people you like and trust
Consider where there is real business opportunity
Often, a few strong connections are far more valuable than many shallow ones.
Summer is the perfect time to refresh and strengthen your existing relationships so how can you build on that with thoughtful reconnections to position yourself for opportunities later, keeping you top of mind and building the trust that turns conversations into meaningful connections.
If you’d like support in making the most of your network or planning your next steps, get in touch. I’d be happy to discuss how you can reconnect effectively and build stronger relationships with the people who matter most to your professional life.