How are you holding up?

When looking to connect with past and potential clients during a pandemic…

…5 simple words will do the trick.

Now has never been a better time in recent memory for us to merge our business interests with being a decent and kind human being. 

And the gesture need not be grand or verbose.

Recently, I was capturing photos during an NSA NYC virtual chapter meeting and one of the speakers was master connector, David Burkus. 

While he shared several wonderful tips and strategies regarding virtual networking, one of the biggest takeaways that resonated with me was also the one that felt most human, as well. 

When it comes to initiating a conversation with someone that you haven’t spoken to in a while - think at least 6 months to a year - rather than create a long-winded email that invites people to check out after the 3rd paragraph, ask them one simple statement:

How are you holding up?

Wow - a simple, clear and concise statement that invites the person on the other end of that correspondence to either give the short and sweet truth, or invites them to go into length and depth as to what’s going on.

Either way, it starts a real conversation, and that’s the point.

I can attest that the “how are you holding up?” question is very effective, because I’ve been on the receiving end of it from friends, colleagues and mentors over the past two months.

It’s sparked several conversations with people from whom I was surprised to hear. 

In most cases, I’ve given them the length and depth answer because, quite frankly, I have had more downs than ups during this pandemic and having the attention of their eyes and ears was extremely comforting. 

Regardless, it was ALL very much appreciated - and it rekindled each of those relationships.

I’ve also paid it forward and been the eyes and ears for others to share what truly is going on with them business and life-wise. 

By offering this opportunity to your colleagues and potential clients, this allows you to be a human being while also reconnecting with people with whom you might’ve fallen off their radars. 

After all, building a relationship with those you serve isn’t simply liking and commenting on their social media posts.

It’s deeper than that - especially in times like this.

At a time where everyone’s businesses are in a state of transition and flux, connecting with others and having real conversations go a long way to giving us all hope that there will be a tomorrow and that we will return to doing what we do best.

This conversation starter will help us all to hold up a lil’ bit better, :) 

So…

Who could you reach out to right now and ask the “how are you holding up” question? I invite you to send that email, text or direct message now and see where the conversation takes you.