Make sure you maintain your existing network

The value of building a professional network is clear. But while many of us focus on making new connections, it is easy to forget the need to maintain the old ones as well. Some strategies:

• Keep detailed notes about the people you meet. Maintain a record of the date and event, who introduced you, the information you discussed, and what your follow-up will be.

• Make calls or send notes even when it is not directly business-related. As you stay in touch with people, they will remember you, and contact you when a need arises.

• Each week, call one person with whom you haven’t spoken for the past 90 days. Give that person an idea for his or her business, a thought, or a new promotion you might have. It’s a way of keeping your face in front of your prospect.

Source: A post by Andrea Nierenberg at www.thenierenberggroup.com