| Action | Do | Don't |
| Phone | • Offer to call back at a more convenient time • Use your time well |
• Talk more than 10 minutes • Talk at dinner |
| In Person | • Speak only briefly about your issue at an unrelated function • Offer to make an appointment |
• Think your issue is the only issue • Insult • Push when you don’t have their undivided attention. |
| • Send a letter/email • Get three letters from friends |
| Do | Don't |
| • Offer to get back. Follow up with a thank you | • Forget to follow up |
| • Give them a reason to get back to you | • Expect them to remember you and your issue without prompting |
| • Make a note to yourself about the date and discussion | • Expect too much or too little |
| • If there are no communications after three months, try again! |
