“Merry” Ways to Strengthen Your Professional Network During the Holidays

In the digital age, most of us have amassed an impressive array of contacts, from business cards to LinkedIn connections and email addresses. These connections could hold the key to your next career opportunity, but it’s crucial to remain engaged and memorable. With the holiday season approaching, here are nine creative ways to keep in touch with your network, ensuring you remain at the forefront of their minds during this festive time.

10 Festive Holiday Networking Hacks:

1. Personalized Holiday Greetings: While sending holiday cards is a common practice, consider going the extra mile by sending greetings for offbeat holidays like Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, or even Groundhog Day. This shows that you’re willing to add a touch of holiday cheer to your connections, setting you apart from the crowd.
2. Remember Special Occasions: Social media may remind you of birthdays, but sending a physical birthday card through the mail adds a personal touch, especially during the holiday season. It requires minimal effort but can be highly memorable.
3. Celebrate Achievements: When your contacts achieve something noteworthy, send your heartfelt congratulations. Utilize tools like Google Alerts or Social Mention to stay informed about their accomplishments and respond promptly. Your recognition during the holidays will be appreciated and leave a lasting impression.
4. Follow Up on Missed Opportunities: If you were a runner-up for a job or an opportunity, don’t lose hope. Send a follow-up email or holiday card a few months after the new hire starts. Express your well wishes and your openness to future conversations. This demonstrates your persistence and commitment, making it a great holiday gesture.
5. Share Valuable Information: Instead of sending generic “just checking in” messages, share useful and current news related to your contact’s industry or interests. This approach makes your interactions during the holidays more valuable and memorable.
6. Make a Festive Call: A simple holiday-themed phone call can be a pleasant surprise during this time of year. Choose a time when your contact is likely to be available, and if you reach their voicemail, leave a brief message with your name and number along with a festive tidbit to pique their interest.
7. Write Recommendations: LinkedIn offers an excellent platform to write unsolicited recommendations for past colleagues, service providers, or clients. Such recommendations are often warmly received and can boost your contact’s professional credibility, which is a great gift during the holiday season.
8. Connect People: Do you know two individuals in your network whom you believe could mutually benefit from connecting with each other? Take the initiative to introduce them by sending a single email addressed to both parties. In the email, explain the reasons for your belief in the potential advantages of their meeting. Provide enough information to help each person understand the benefits of the connection and facilitate their research and initial contact.
9. Extend Holiday Event Invitations: When you receive an invitation to a holiday event or fundraiser, consider inviting one of your contacts to join you, provided it aligns with both your interests. Sharing a holiday experience can strengthen your relationship and add a dash of holiday magic to your network.
10. Host Virtual Holiday Gatherings: Hosting virtual holiday gatherings is an innovative practice that can foster stronger relationships with your network during this holiday season. To make this approach effective, consider the following best practices. First, be intentional about the event’s holiday theme. Whether it’s a virtual holiday coffee chat, a holiday panel discussion, or a themed holiday social gathering, ensure your holiday event has a clear purpose in mind. Second, select a platform that is user-friendly and accessible to all your holiday attendees. Third, promote the holiday event well in advance to maximize holiday attendance. During the gathering, be an engaging holiday host, encouraging holiday-themed participation and facilitating holiday discussions. Lastly, follow up with holiday attendees afterward to express your gratitude and continue the holiday conversation. Hosting virtual holiday gatherings is a fantastic way to maintain holiday connections, share holiday knowledge, and provide holiday value to your network in an interactive and engaging holiday manner.

Getting Organized for the Holiday Season

To execute these holiday strategies effectively, create a comprehensive database of your contacts, including essential holiday information like birthdays, partners/spouses, children, alma maters, organizations, interests, and even favorite holiday foods. You can use a formal Customer Relationship Management system (CRM) or a simple holiday-themed Excel spreadsheet.

Carving Out Holiday Time

Schedule holiday reminders on your calendar to send holiday outreach messages and acknowledge important holiday dates.

Here are some holiday suggestions:

Weekly: Check LinkedIn and Facebook notifications for holiday-themed work anniversaries and birthdays.

Monthly: Plan your holiday outreach for the month, identifying who you need to reconnect with during this holiday season and how.

Annually: Evaluate the strength of your holiday network and assess whether you’ve done enough to stay connected during this joyful season.

Conclusion

Staying in touch with your professional network during the holidays often falls by the wayside, but with some thoughtful holiday planning and creativity, you can nurture these vital holiday connections. Remember, it’s not just about holiday networking; it’s about building lasting, meaningful relationships that can benefit both parties during this season of joy and goodwill.