How to Outreach to New Contacts as a Lawyer

It’s been months since you last connected with a client or contact, and now you’re overthinking, and thinking and overthinking your outreach.

I hear it all the time from lawyers during our 1:1 business development sessions:
- What do I say? (We have a template)
- What if they don’t respond? (We try again with a new approach)
- What if I’m bothering them? (You're not)
- What if I say the wrong thing? (You won't)
- What if I don’t have anything insightful to add? (You do)

Fear of outreach is one of the top blockers. Most of what I do is help lawyers overcome this. So, how do we move past the hesitation?

- Reach out with empathy. Show you care, check in to say "hi," and do not with the expectation that you need something. If you cant do this, work to deepen the relationship.
- Know how your contact prefers to communicate. Is it email? A voice-note? A message on LinkedIn? A phone call? Use the method they like.
- Use a template to get started and tweak it to sound like you. I gave you two examples below. Yes, it can be that simple.

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[1- The keep-it-simple template]

Hi [Name],
Can you believe it’s been [three months] since we last spoke? Hope you’re getting a chance to enjoy the [football season/holidays/winter/summer].

I would love to catch up maybe over coffee (or virtual), a walk, or something fun [for them].
Would X date/time work for you?

Talk soon!

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[2- This made me think of you template]

Hi [Name],
I came across this [article/cle/event] and immediately thought of you because [explain why it’s relevant to them].

Let me know if you have time in the next couple of weeks to catch up [ insert a few dates] virtually or in person, your choice!
Speak soon,