Review Your Network Each Year
Eighteen easy tips to review your network each year, so you keep good links and grow new ones.
Look back, look ahead. Care for your circle.
25 tips that really help
These ideas come from Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi), Give and Take (Adam Grant), Platonic (Marisa Franco), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.
Why review yearly
A yearly check helps you notice who you forgot and who you can help. It keeps your network alive.
Review soon.
Choose a date
Pick a calm day each year, such as the first week of January. Put it in your calendar.
Pick a date.
List everyone you stay in touch with
Write names in one place. Seeing the list shows your real network.
Make a list.
Mark active and quiet contacts
Active contacts talk often, quiet ones need a hello. This helps you plan.
Mark them.
Note who helped you this year
Write thank-you notes to them. Gratitude strengthens bonds.
Thank them.
Plan outreach for quiet contacts
Pick five to message in the next month. A plan beats a wish.
Pick five.
Look at gaps
Do you know people in different fields and ages? Variety makes your network stronger.
Find a gap.
Set simple goals
Choose how many new people you will meet and how often you will call. Small goals help.
Set goals.
Script: reflection
This year I stayed in touch with twenty people, and I would like to reach thirty. Say it clearly.
Use it.
Script: thanks
Thank you for your help this year, it meant a lot. Say it warmly.
Use it.
Script: reach out
I was reviewing my year and thought of you, how are you? Say it kindly.
Use it.
Mistake: judging people by usefulness
Treat everyone with respect, so be kind.
Be kind.
Mistake: deleting contacts too quickly
Pause and think first, so stay careful.
Pause.
Mistake: reviewing but not acting
Plans need action, so take one step.
Act.
Troubleshoot: when your list is tiny
Start with five and add one new person a month. Growth is gradual.
Start small.
Troubleshoot: when the list is huge
Focus on your top thirty people. Quality matters.
Focus.
Drill: schedule your yearly review
Put a review date in your calendar now.
Set it.
Drill: write five thank-you notes
Write five notes to people who supported you this year.
Write five.
Rate each contact
Give one to five stars for how much you want to keep close.
Rate them.
Notice who gives energy
Spend more time with people who lift you.
Notice energy.
Let some links rest
Some links will be quiet. That is okay.
Let go gently.
Example: the New Year review
Sam reviewed his list every January and picked twenty people to focus on.
Choose a date.
Example: the reconnect list
Mia marked ten dormant contacts and wrote to five.
Mark ten.
Troubleshoot: when you feel you have too few
Start small and add one each month.
Start small.
Drill: write a one-page network review
List top ten, quiet ten and new ten.
Write it.
Easy things to say
When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many networking and career moments.
“Let me look at my list.”
“Thank you for your help.”
“I will reach out to these five.”
“I will let some links rest.”
“I will meet new people.”
“My network is healthy.”
Your first week
One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.
Set a date
List your contacts
Mark the active ones
Mark the quiet ones
Plan outreach
Thank helpers
Set goals
Further reading
- Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi)
- Give and Take (Adam Grant)
- Platonic (Marisa Franco)
The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.
More lessons in “Maintaining Your Network”
Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.
← Previous: Celebrate Their WinsNext: Meet One New Person a Month →
- Set a Gentle Rhythm
- Send Birthday and Congrats Notes
- Share Articles They Will Like
- Meet for Coffee or a Walk
- Ask Good Questions Every Time
- Remember What Matters to Them
- Reconnect With Quiet Contacts
- Support People in Hard Times
- Celebrate Their Wins
- Review Your Network Each Year
- Meet One New Person a Month
- Build a Circle You Can Trust
