not so subtle reminder: send a thank you

Recently lateraled seats in ER and a large part about that was not only networking but how I networked. Most of the people on this forum are familiar with doing cold outreach and asking for a coffee chat, I've had to do that myself plenty over the course of my career. So when someone reaches out to me to learn more about research, I'm usually more than happy to give advice where I can. Most of the time at the end of any of these chats, there's an ask of some sort "Can you connect me with ..., I applied for this position can you reach out to..., can you send over some research?" whatever the case may be. However, what I've noticed a lack of is sending a thank you after the call. 

After every interview, coffee chat, interaction with someone where you are eventually trying to get them to provide value to you (and even ones you're not), send a thank you email/note/text. It not only shows that you respect their time and appreciate them giving it to you, but you can follow up with your ask.

It doesn't require a lot of effort, but from my own experience and from talking with others, it can make the difference between them doing your ask, being willing to help again in the future, talking to you again, etc.

The hard part is over, you got them to talk to you, you talked to them. Now seal the deal.

Rant over.