Networking -- best time to make contact? Forum

[Anonymous User]

So this is a bit confusing. I have an great-aunt (I'm not particularly close to her myself) who is counsel at V30 firm X, as well as being sort of a big deal hotshot lawyer in some other various capacities. As well as working at firm X, she has a very close personal connection to a founding partner of firm X, and has for many years. As I said, I don't know this relative particularly well, but when I was applying to law school, I talked to her on the phone and she was very friendly and willing to talk to me and give me advice, and definitely left the door open for further advice/communication/whatever. Also in that conversation, she offered to pull some strings to help me get into one of the schools I applied to (I didn't take her up on it because I wasn't sure I wanted to go there, but she has demonstrated a willingness to help me out). So here's my general question. She clearly has some connections to help me out. I am (probably) about to start at UCLA, which is a good school, but everyone could use a little help. But since it's family but not super-close family, it seems a little delicate. I don't think she minds helping me, but I don't probably want to contact her more than once before I see how she responds (because you know if I email her twice my grandma will get mad :p). So what is the best to make contact with someone like this, and what is the best way to do it?

[James Bond]

You know your family better than us, Anon. Some people wouldn't mind making contact for that kind of thing all the time. Others, even once is enough to piss them off.

[TheBigMediocre]

Read Never Eat Alone By Keith Ferrazzi.

[Anonymous User]

Well I think my real question is, assuming you're only going to make contact once, what's the best time and way to do it? If she takes it well, I'd love to continue the dialogue, and I don't really think it will piss her off. But on the off-chance it does, I don't want to blow my shot, you know?

[lostjake]

phone+coffee=win

[Anonymous User]

Read Never Eat Alone By Keith Ferrazzi.

Before starting this thread I read a few others, and this book came up in every single one. I will definitely read it.

[James Bond]

Ok so you made contact once and it went well. Do it the same way. Phone call instead of email. Same time of day. Try to get similar results.

[Anonymous User]

Ok so you made contact once and it went well. Do it the same way. Phone call instead of email. Same time of day. Try to get similar results.

Sure, but I mean, halfway through 1L? Beginning of 2L? 1L summer? That's my real question that I don't know the answer to. At what point in the process? Or does it not matter?