This is such a brilliant post by Jen Gaudet!
PSA: potential trigger warning: If the first message I get from you in 3 years is an ask… we’ve got a problem.
Yes I’m saying it out loud. In social media (but I know many of you are thinking it)
This happens more than people think.
Out of nowhere:
“Hey! Can you share this with your audience?”
“Can you make an intro?”
“Can you invest?”
And I’m sitting here thinking…
we haven’t talked since before half the world changed.
Let me be clear: I like helping people.
I’m wired that way.
But there’s a difference between:
* a relationship
and
* a random reach-out with a request attached
If I don’t know:
* what you’re doing now
* how you operate
* what you actually need
* whether it aligns with me
I’m not putting my name, network, or brand behind it.
That’s not personal. That’s responsible.
And the “we met once at a conference” angle?
That’s not a relationship. That’s a moment.
Even worse: you saw me on stage or television and we haven’t even met…
If you want support, referrals, introductions… great.
Start here:
* Say hi
* Reconnect
* Add value
* Build the relationship again
Then make the ask.
Because showing up cold and going straight for a favor?
It doesn’t land the way you think it does.
Honest question:
Do you like getting messages that jump straight to the ask…
or does it turn you off immediately?
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