How can you effectively use networking to stay top of mind with potential clients?

2 Stay in touch regularly

The second step to staying top of mind is to stay in touch regularly with your network, not just when you need something from them. This means following up after meetings, events, or referrals, and keeping the conversation going with meaningful and personalized messages. You can use various channels, such as email, phone, social media, or video calls, depending on your contact's preference and availability. The key is to be consistent, respectful, and relevant, and avoid spamming or annoying your contacts with too many or too generic messages. You can also use automation tools, such as CRM software or email marketing platforms, to streamline and optimize your communication process.

3 Leverage social media

The third step to staying top of mind is to leverage social media to showcase your brand, value, and personality, and to engage with your network and prospects. You can use platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook to share useful content, such as blog posts, case studies, webinars, or podcasts, that can educate, inform, or entertain your audience. You can also comment, like, or share your contacts' posts, and join relevant groups, forums, or communities where you can contribute to discussions, answer questions, or offer advice. By doing this, you will increase your visibility, authority, and influence, and create more opportunities for interaction and connection.

4 Ask for referrals

The fourth step to staying top of mind is to ask for referrals from your network, especially from your satisfied customers, partners, or advocates. Referrals are one of the most effective ways to generate qualified leads and sales, as they come with a high level of trust, credibility, and recommendation. However, you need to be strategic and tactful when asking for referrals, and make sure that you have delivered value and satisfaction to your referrer first. You can also incentivize or reward your referrers with discounts, commissions, gifts, or recognition, to show your appreciation and motivate them to refer more.

6 Be memorable and unique

The sixth and final step to staying top of mind is to be memorable and unique, and to stand out from the crowd of competitors and noise. This means creating a distinctive and compelling value proposition, that clearly articulates your benefits, differentiators, and results, and that resonates with your target audience's needs, wants, and pains. You can also use storytelling, humor, or emotions, to capture your contacts' attention, interest, and curiosity, and to make a lasting impression. You can also use creative and innovative ways to deliver your message, such as videos, infographics, or quizzes, that can showcase your personality, style, and values.