How to master the art of follow-up

The most vital aspect of networking actually takes place after the first conversation. You attended a networking event. What now? You have a pocket full of business cards and QR codes and you will have no idea what to do with them.

QR codes and business cards don’t have any value for those who don’t use them, so let us take a look at some easy ideas to enable you to maximize your initial interaction with an individual. A networking meeting is barely a start line for starting a brand new skilled relationship – further activities are the key to its development. And since the clock starts ticking immediately after the meeting, it is best to start with the 1st step inside 24 hours.

Let’s get down to business and find out how to track like a professional:

Send a fast email
Collect details about each recent contact and create an email for them. Just say you enjoyed meeting them and check out to remember the point from the conversation.

“It was nice meeting you last night at the Chamber of Commerce event! Good luck with your son’s baseball championship this weekend!”

If you would like a continuation, you possibly can say that as well – just add:

“We started talking about the synergies we have in our exploration and I would like to continue this conversation. What does your schedule look like next Thursday for coffee or lunch?”

It doesn’t have to be long or formal, but you wish to move the ball forward.

Link on LinkedIn
Since LinkedIn offers so many free tools to keep your connections visible to you (and also you to them), what could hurt in reaching out and seeing them in your emails to have a good time their birthday, job anniversary, or discover a recent job? All of that is a possibility to imitate. So after the meeting, connect on LinkedIn as well.

Create “Relink Files”
After your next meeting or phone call with someone you have met, I suggest creating what I like to call a “file reconnect.” These are handy, color-coded reminders which you could schedule once a month. Write down details about the way you met and what you talked about in your notes. When this name comes up every month, reach out to us to catch up, perhaps schedule one other meeting, or send something you would possibly find invaluable. like an invite to one other event, a terrific article, or an introduction.

There’s no need to follow up with every contact every month, but it surely’s a terrific way to stay connected.

Remember birthdays (and the little things)
Even for those who haven’t got a contact’s birthday saved, Facebook and LinkedIn will make it easier for you to connect. Social media also provides other opportunities to connect. For example, is one of your contacts planning a family celebration soon? Operation? Kid? Please reach out and send your wishes.

These small gestures go a great distance. They mean much more for those who handwrite a note and mail it.

Give first and do not expect anything in return
During your first meeting, did your recent contact mention the need overtly or in passing? Perhaps they mentioned that their sibling was in search of a job? If so, perhaps you possibly can contact him and ask what he/she wants to do and ask for arThis issumThis is pass on to several potential connectors or corporations which can be hiring.

Make an appointment for a person meeting
Clarify your intentions for every meeting prematurely in order that the other party can prepare accordingly. Ideally, it ought to be somewhere comfortable for the other person, or worst case scenario, halfway between you, easily accessible, with plenty of parking and a quiet (enough) place to talk. The first individual meeting is meant to further develop the relationship with the recent contact. Instead of imposing your agenda on them by giving them details about you and your organization, allow them to ask.

Use the power of one connection to open many doors
Every contact you interact with knows a whole lot, if not 1000’s, of other people. This makes the power of conversation exponential. Remember: while you talk to someone, you’re actually talking to that person’s entire network. The same goes for them and also you.

So while you truly trust someone, you will need to make more conscious decisions about how to help them. If someone is in search of a job, a lead, or one other tangible introduction, share your contact list with them. The free version of LinkedIn even comes with a handy export tool where you possibly can download all of your contacts and share their name, company and job title along with your recent connection so that they can discover people themselves.

However you do it, sharing your list will allow you to connect with others in your network and offer them a potentially invaluable introduction. Once you will have warmed the third person on the connection, close the circle and make a warm introduction.

Use tools outside of LinkedIn
My favorite tool is HARO (Help the reporter). You will receive three emails a day with press offers where you possibly can be quoted or featured in your articles. It’s great to use yourself, but additionally share with relevant contacts.

And there you will have it: eight easy steps to mastering the art of network monitoring. It’s at all times best to work on one recent habit and break it before moving on to the next, so consider splitting the following pointers and adding one to your calendar every few weeks. This way you possibly can slowly and naturally incorporate them into your check-up routine.

For you, we’re constructing a stronger network.