How often should you follow up after a business meeting?

2 Follow up with value

The next time you follow up with your contact, you should aim to provide some value to them. This could be in the form of relevant information, useful resources, helpful introductions, or genuine feedback. For example, you could share an article, a podcast, a book, or a tool that relates to their goals, challenges, or interests. You could also introduce them to someone in your network who could benefit them or vice versa. Or you could offer your insights, opinions, or suggestions on a topic or project they are working on. The idea is to show that you are not just asking for something, but also giving something.

3 Vary your communication channels

Another tip for following up after a business meeting is to vary your communication channels. This means using different methods and platforms to reach out to your contact, such as email, phone, text, social media, or video call. This can help you avoid spamming or annoying them with the same type of message over and over. It can also help you adapt to their preferences and availability. For example, some people may prefer a quick text or a LinkedIn comment, while others may appreciate a phone call or a Zoom chat. The key is to be respectful, responsive, and flexible.

5 Track and measure your follow-up

One of the challenges of following up after a business meeting is to keep track of your contacts, conversations, and outcomes. This is especially true if you have multiple contacts and meetings to manage. To make your follow-up more effective and efficient, you should use a system or a tool to track and measure your follow-up activities. This could be as simple as a spreadsheet, a calendar, or a notebook, or as sophisticated as a CRM software, an email tracker, or a follow-up app. The important thing is to have a way to record and review your follow-up data, such as names, dates, topics, actions, responses, and results.

6 Follow up with etiquette

The last tip for following up after a business meeting is to follow up with etiquette. This means being respectful, courteous, and professional in your communication. To do this, personalize your messages and use their name and title correctly. Proofread your messages to avoid typos, grammar errors, or slang and don’t use too many emojis, abbreviations, or exclamation points. Respect their time and attention by keeping your messages concise and clear, but don’t bombard them with too many messages or calls or be too pushy or needy. Be honest and transparent and avoid making false promises or claims. Express your gratitude and appreciation and acknowledge their efforts and contributions, but don’t take their silence or rejection personally or burn any bridges. Following up after a business meeting is an essential skill for business networking that can help you build trust, rapport, and value with your contacts and move your relationships forward. With these tips and best practices in mind, you can follow up with confidence and effectiveness and create lasting connections.