Networking events are a great opportunity to connect with new people and expand your professional network. However, the connections you make at these events are often only the first step in building a lasting relationship. To truly make the most of your networking efforts, it's important to follow up with the contacts you made at the event. Here is how to make a follow up after networking events:
a) Take note of important information: During the event, make sure to collect contact information from the people you meet, including their name, job title, company, and email address. This will make it easier to follow up later.
b) Send a personalized follow-up email: Within a day or two after the event, send a personalized follow-up email to the contacts you made. In the email, thank them for their time, mention something specific that you discussed during your conversation, and express your interest in keeping in touch.
c) Connect on LinkedIn: If you haven't already, connect with your contacts on LinkedIn. This will help you stay connected and keep the conversation going.
d) Schedule a call or meeting: If appropriate, suggest a time to schedule a call or meeting to discuss potential opportunities or collaborations.
e) Don't be too pushy: Remember that networking is about building relationships, not closing deals. Don't be too pushy in your follow-up, and don't expect immediate results.
f) Follow up at the right time: Pay attention to the other person's schedule and try to follow up at a time that's convenient for them.
g) Keep the conversation going: Keep in touch with your contacts over time, and make sure to check in with them regularly.
h) Be genuine: Be genuine in your follow-up and don't be afraid to be yourself. The goal is to build a real and lasting connection.
i) Show gratitude: Show gratitude for the time they took to meet with you, and express your appreciation for the advice and information they shared with you.
j) Follow through on any commitments: If you made any commitments during your conversation, make sure to follow through on them.
Remember that networking is a continuous process, and following up after an event is just one step in building and nurturing a relationship. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to making the most of your networking efforts.
What to avoid during follow up:
i) Don't send a generic follow-up email: Customize your follow-up email for each person you met, mentioning something specific about your conversation and expressing your interest in keeping in touch.
ii) Don't wait too long to follow up: It's best to follow up within a day or two of the event, while the conversation and the connection is still fresh in their mind.
iii) Don't be too pushy: Remember that networking is about building relationships, not closing deals. Don't pressure people to do business with you or to meet with you right away.
iv) Don't just ask for favors: Be genuinely interested in learning more about the other person's work and offer to help them if you can.
v) Don't be too salesy: Your follow-up email shouldn't sound like a sales pitch. Keep the focus on building a relationship, not on selling your product or service.
vi) Don't be too formal: Be yourself, use a casual tone and be authentic.
vii) Don't ignore their response: If they respond, make sure to respond back in a timely manner, even if it's just a short note.
viii) Don't be too vague: Be specific in your request, if you want a meeting or call, set a date and time.
ix) Don't forget to proofread: Before sending the email, make sure to proofread it for any spelling or grammatical errors.
x) Don't be impatient: Networking takes time, effort and patience to bear fruit. Don't expect immediate results and be persistent in your follow-up.
Also read about : How To Network
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