Scroll back months in your texts, stop on someone you like, send "just thinking of you," and do exactly three.
The idea
This was the signature tactic in my coaching. Whenever we asked members where they'd gotten the most business from the program, they cited scrollbacks. It works because you're using a channel where trust already exists (you swapped numbers on purpose) at about the moment people start to forget you, four or five months out. And the replies come fast, which gives your brain the reward that makes you do it again next week.
How to do it
Open your texts (or WhatsApp, Messenger, call history, LinkedIn, even your sent mail).
Scroll back at least three months. Four or five is better. It may take a minute.
Stop on someone you had a good connection with but haven't talked to in a while.
If you have something specific to say, say it. Otherwise send the Script.
Do three. No more, no less. And don't pitch your business.
Pair it with your strategic outreach: do your planned A and B touches first, then scroll randomly. Lasers and chaos, you need both.
Example
Picture this. You're buried in internal email, your phone buzzes, and it's someone you had coffee with a few months back. All it says is "Hey, you just came to mind this morning. Hope you're great!" Feels pretty good, right? Hollywood agent Ari Emanuel sends "Can I help? All good? You need anything?" to hundreds of contacts every day, and Tasshin's guide to friendship calls the simple "just thinking of you" a "smooch." Four or five years ago I would have thought that too simple to work. I'm a convert now.
Script
"Hey - just thinking of you. Long time no talk - hope all is well!"
Watch out for
If fear spikes, type the message but don't send yet, name the emotions coming up, then count down 5-4-3-2-1 and send.
The Smooch: The smallest possible touchpoint, and the one I've seen work best: 'Hey! You came to mind this morning. Hope you're doing well!'
Engineered Serendipity: Build a simple process that resurfaces people you'd otherwise forget, then add a little deliberate randomness on top.
Reconnecting After a Long Silence: Skip the apology. Send a short note that they came to mind, ideally with one real detail or shared memory, and leave the ball in their court.
Three Tricks to Press Send: Separate the action from the result: write the message before adding the recipient, say aloud you don't care what happens, or schedule the send.