Tickle Your Network: The Habit That Changed My Business (and My Life)

I used to disappear after the handshake or the hugs.

You know what I mean? I’d give great service, have a solid connection, swap a few heartfelt stories across the table, and then…nothing. 

These amazing connections with signers would fizzle out. 

And it didn’t stop there. It even happened with friends and family too.

Maybe you can relate. 

Life got busy.

Appointments piled up.

Emails flooded in.

And before I knew it, six months had passed, and someone I genuinely liked became a stranger again.

That used to be my pattern.

Until I learned to tickle.

What The Heck is a “Tickle”?

It’s my word for what others call a “ping, but come on… tickle is way more fun. And frankly, it’s what it feels like. Just a little light touch:

“Hey, I’m here. I care about you and how you’re doing.”

This isn’t marketing.

It’s not prospecting.

And if you do it right, it never feels forced.

It’s just… being human.

The kind of human most of us wish we were better at being, you know the one who remembers birthdays, follows up on that tough week, or says “congrats” when someone lands that new job.

It’s not about having the perfect words. It’s about showing up consistently and sincerely.

Who Do You Tickle?

Start with your warm circle. These are people you’ve worked with, shared laughs with, crossed paths with, or simply admire.

These are your:

• Past clients

• Referral partners

• Friends

• Colleagues

• Family

• Even fellow notaries you’ve clicked with

And you don’t need a big master plan for this. You just need 1-10 names a day and a little  intention. If you don’t have a warm contact list yet, you’ve skipped an important step in the top of mind method. Read this. 

What does a tickle sound like?

Don’t overthink it, and definitely don’t sell anything in these messages..

Try this:

• “Hey [Name], I was just thinking about you. What’s new?”

• “I just left a trust signing and remembered our convo. Hope you’re doing great.”

• “Checking in! Anything I can support you with this month?”

Or keep it super casual:

• “Happy birthday!”

• “I saw [XYZ] and thought of you.”

• “It’s been a minute. Miss our chats.”

Sometimes they respond. Sometimes they don’t. That’s okay.

This is about connection, not conversion. Other people get busy too. Don’t take anything personal. You’re spreading genuine goodwill here. Nothing to be ashamed of. 

Want to Stand Out? Go Analog.

One of my favorite ways to tickle is to send a handwritten note.

NOT a sales letter.

NOT a branded postcard with your logo and five calls-to-action.

NOT a thank you card where two of your business cards fall out before they can even open it. 

I’m talking about a real-deal, pen-to-paper, genuine note.

Something like:

“Thinking about you and hoping you’re doing well.”

“Congrats on the new chapter.”

“My heart’s with you.”

For joyful moments or hard ones. 

No pitch. 

No ask. 

Just follow your promptings and be the kind human you are.

This Deepens Relationships

This tiny habit, just a few messages or notes a day, changed everything for me. Staying in touch like this opens doors for vulnerability and authenticity we don’t often get to reach in business, even friendships sometimes (Ever notice how hard it is to make new friends as an adult?).

I’m still connected and friends with signers and clients long after the business part of our paths have separated because of this habit. 

And, when you stay in touch, when you finally do decide to reach out for support, or make an offer, or ask for a referral…

It won’t  come out of nowhere.

It will come from a warm place. 

Turns out, when you build relationships on real care, not sales scripts, you don’t need to “follow up,” per se. 

You’re already in the conversation. Referrals, connections, support come easier when you’re already in touch on a regular basis. 

Top of Mind

Tickling your network isn’t about business. 

But it will grow your business.

Because it keeps you visible, valuable, and remembered, (think top of mind-always) long before someone needs a notary, an apostille, or whatever magic you bring to the table.

And when the moment comes, they won’t Google someone else. 

They’ll think of you.

We do this kind of stuff every day in High Performance Notary.

Want to make this a habit?

That’s what we’re here for.

Check out HPN here and start building habits that make the boat go faster.