The first task I’m undertaking in The 3-Week Buzz Marketing Challenge is to email an old friend or acquaintance.

The goal is to share what’s new in your life, including positive things going on in your job (or your new business, etc.)

You also want to ask questions – find out what’s new with the person that you haven’t connected with in some time.

Ron McDaniel writes in his book:

One of the keys is to leverage your prior relationship to tell a positive story about where you work without spoiling the conversation by blatantly selling the company or being impersonal.

This is certainly an easy challenge. What’s difficult is remembering to do it regularly. Contacting a couple old friends might generate a bit of buzz, but do it a few times per month and suddenly the world will be buzzing.

I reached out to two people – an ex-employee and a long-time friend from university.

I spoke with my ex-employee on the phone. I told him about a few things going on in my life — a day later he sent me an email with a relevant link of interest (which is something I wrote about in growing your blog community.) It was a good article, something I wouldn’t have otherwise found. It showed me that he was “buzzing about me” which is exactly the point.

My long-time friend has yet to respond, but I know he will, and he’ll be one more person that’s updated on what’s going on with me.

So start contacting old friends and acquaintances. Ask them what’s up with their lives. Pick up the conversation where it left off. Start a new conversation. Tell them something they don’t know, offer your help, recommend something of interest, toot your own horn and get ’em buzzing…

And Join Me In The 3-Week Buzz Marketing Challenge! Tomorrow, Another Challenge Is Undertaken.