When was the last time you grabbed a coffee with a new contact or reconnected with an old colleague? With a lighter rhythm to the workweek during the summer, you may want to consider reaching out for a casual coffee meeting. It’s a great way to learn something new and expand your network in a low-pressure setting.
It may feel intimidating asking someone for a coffee meeting, but there are many benefits to doing so. A post on the Indeed blog says coffee meetings can help you build connections more easily. A change in scenery can provide a welcome break and may even boost your productivity, too.
The Indeed post says you can ask for a coffee meeting via email, in person or on the phone. Just be clear about your intentions and mention why you think it could benefit you both. How do you ask for the meeting? We share tips from the Indeed post in this issue of PromoPro Daily.
Be straightforward. The Indeed post advises being as straightforward as possible when you’re posing the question. This prevents any misinterpretation. Detail what you’d like to do and why. Let your client or colleague know some details about why you’d like to meet them for coffee.
Respect their time. You’re asking the other person to share some of their time with you, so be respectful. Show up on time for the meeting and book it in a way that doesn’t conflict with their schedule.
Use an email or written format to ask. You may want to write out your request, the post says, as this can act as a record of the interaction. It also helps open a line of communication for future correspondence.
Follow up if you don’t hear back. Your first message may have been overlooked. The Indeed post recommends giving it a week or so and then asking again.
Don’t take a “no” personally. The other person may decline your invitation due to a scheduling conflict or some other reason. Don’t take it personally, the post says, because it frees up your time for other opportunities.
You could invite someone for coffee for any number of reasons. Maybe you’re curious about what they do or perhaps you want to explore a new idea. Ask that colleague or peer if they’d like to grab a cup. You never know what a short conversation could lead to.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: A blog post by the Indeed editorial team, which includes writers, researchers and subject matter experts.
