We say it at each networking event,
what’s the diamond in networking. Follow
up, Follow up, Follow up! Check out these amazing tips in this yummy article
from Lisa Rangel, Managing Director at Chameleon Resumes with 18 ways to follow
up after a networking event.
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18 Ways To Follow Up After A Networking Event
By Lisa Rangel
According to the latest study from
CareerXRoads, more than 27% of external hires in America are from referrals. In
fact, it’s the top external source of hires today.
According to the New York Times,
65% of new business comes from referrals. A Nielsen Study cited clients are
four times more likely to buy when being referred from someone they know and
trust.
So we know why we network, but
what do you do to follow up after a networking event? After all, It’s what you
do after the event that matters, as that is where the real work begins! Here are some suggestions of what to do:
1) Google their
name – You’d be amazed at what you can find by Googling a person. You can find
additional information to help you with reasons to connect—or not to do so.
This info can help with all steps on this list.
2) Make notes on
what happened at the event, record your thoughts and create a list of actions
to implement.
3) Write an email
indicating that you enjoyed meeting them and why it makes sense to keep
chatting.
4) Start a
dialogue to stay in touch, if no need to meet—ask them what they thought of the
event via email.
5) Connect with a
LinkedIn invitation including a note that you enjoyed meeting at the event
where you met.
6) Via email,
suggest a 15-minute phone call, be clear on the purpose and how it can benefit
you both to do so.
7) Here’s a novel
idea: just call the person…indicate that
you enjoyed meeting them and would like to keep the conversation going. Ask if
they prefer to schedule a phone chat or coffee meeting as a follow-up.
8) Propose a
face-to-face meeting over coffee right out of the gate with contacts that have
the most potential, who interest you most, or simply where it makes sense. Show interest in what they do and who they
are.
9) Follow the
person on Twitter. This can provide real time data to improve the content of
your communication.
10) If you see a
personal connection outside of work and/or it makes sense, connect on Facebook.
11) Do not
automatically add them to any email list you may have! Instead, send an email
asking if they would like to join your email list since you thought, based on
your conversation, the content may be of interest. Don’t spam!
12) Enter the
information into your contact management system. A contact made today, may not
bring you business today, but that
person may be the resource you needed (or needed you) for a situation in the
future.
13) Look to
influence. See how you can introduce two people who can help each other and ask
to make that introduction…it’s good karma, as you are always remembered as the
person who made the introduction.
14) Thank the host of the event—a great way to
start a connection that you did not have before.
15) Ideally make
contact within 48 hours, but don’t fail to reach out if it is later than that
timeframe. I have reached out 6 months after the initial meeting and have it
turn out well—but this is not recommended at all!!
16) Look for people
who can influence your business or job search—not just give you business or
hire you. Influencers are more impactful than direct clients or hiring
managers, since they introduce many opportunities.
17) Search for
collaborators and joint venture partners. The best way to grow is by
collaborating with others.
18) Send an article
or book reference in an email or snail mail. This will show that you listened
to the conversation.
Networking can take time and energy if you let it, or it can
be integrated into your daily activities with a simple change in mindset to be
more effortless. A small, consistent investment of time each week can pay off
huge dividends in the future for you and your network. Take some of the actions above and see the
good that happens….Good luck!
