How can you effectively follow up after a networking event in Plant Engineering?

1 Send a personalized email

After a networking event, sending a personalized email to each person you had a meaningful conversation with is the best way to show your interest and stand out from the crowd. Make sure to thank them for their time and attention, mention something specific that you discussed or learned from them, and suggest a way to keep in touch or continue the conversation. This could be sharing a relevant article, inviting them to another event, or asking for their opinion on a topic. Lastly, include your contact information and a clear call to action.

2 Connect on social media

After a networking event, connecting with your new contacts on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook is a great way to stay updated on their activities and interests. When sending a connection request, it's important to write a personalized note that reminds them of how you met and why you want to connect. Generic or spammy messages should be avoided, as well as multiple requests or messages if they do not respond. You can also share relevant content related to their field or industry, such as articles, blogs, podcasts, or videos. Additionally, commenting on their posts, congratulating them on their accomplishments, and joining their discussions can help strengthen the connection.

3 Schedule a follow-up meeting

If you want to deepen your relationship with a new contact and explore potential opportunities for collaboration or learning, you should consider scheduling a follow-up meeting with them. This could be a phone call, video chat, or face-to-face meeting, depending on your availability and location. Doing so can help you establish rapport and trust, learn more about their background, goals, challenges, and needs, showcase your expertise, skills, and value proposition, identify areas of mutual interest or benefit, ask for advice, feedback, or referrals, as well as set clear expectations and next steps.

4 Add value and stay in touch

The final step to effectively follow up after a networking event is to add value and stay in touch with your new contacts. This means providing them with something useful, relevant, or helpful, such as a resource, a recommendation, a solution, or an introduction. It also entails maintaining regular communication and following up on your commitments and promises. To do this, you should follow up on the action items and deliverables that you agreed on during your follow-up meeting. Additionally, send them updates on your progress and achievements, and ask them about theirs. You should also offer your support, assistance, or guidance if they face any challenges or opportunities. Furthermore, recognize and appreciate their contributions and efforts by sending thank-you notes or tokens of gratitude. Finally, reach out to them on special occasions such as birthdays, holidays, or anniversaries. By following these tips, you can build strong and lasting professional relationships that can benefit your career and personal growth.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?