As I continue to explore ideas surrounding networking, I thought I’d continue with a post about one of my annual traditions – sending out handwritten notes.

Several years ago, I began sending holiday cards. Reaching out to those I cared about to say hello or spread good cheer during the holidays seemed like a great way to reconnect with people I haven’t seen or heard in a while. Writing handwritten notes on a card isn’t something many people do in the twenty-first century.

I began purchasing cards from Costco, spent about $100 on stamps, and began the process of browsing through my address book. After I exhausted my options with friends, family, and colleagues, I decided to look through the online Local 802 directory of New York City musicians.

My search for new contacts to send cards began when I started browsing through the names associated with a particular instrument. I recognized several people I already knew and reached out to them at first. I thought it over and searched for all of the drummers I knew and sent them a card. Next, I addressed cards to other types of instrumentalists. It was fun. I suddenly realized I had amassed quite a network of musicians during my tenure in New York City.

I never expected a response. I only wanted to say hello, let people know I was thinking about them, and maybe introduce myself to someone new. I discovered I could achieve this goal through an old fashioned approach of sending out a handwritten note inside a holiday card.

The truth is, it worked. People have told me years later they looked forward to getting my card year after year. It was a little treat. The process was a labor of love. I enjoyed every minute of it during that time of year.

As time went on and social media grew in scope, I scaled back on my mail drop. One major factor was the increasing cost of stamps. Good grief! It’s quite a bit more cost-effective to use social media messaging to reach out to contacts, but it’s a bit more of a treat to receive a card in the mail.

The music industry is small. We are all connected in one way or another. I’d even suggest there are four degrees of separation instead of the ubiquitous six. It doesn’t take long to find people who know the people you know. It’s a little easier for me since I’ve been in the NYC music scene for almost 30 years.

That’s the beauty of networking. Sending out a holiday card year after year, a thank you note here or there, or reaching out through a direct message on Instagram or Facebook messenger can go a long way. You never know what impact you have by simply saying hello. It certainly has helped me in my career.

Try it. You might enjoy it. The people who you touch with a note will appreciate it. Little things really do mean a lot.