What is the most effective way to follow up with a new professional contact?

In my experience, the focus goal is to build a safe, authentic relationship. One of the most effective way to follow up with a new professional contact is to start by being curious. Begin by referencing a specific detail or topic from your previous conversations, showing that you value the connection. Acknowledge any updates they might have shared about their personal or professional life, expressing sincere curiosity. Then, smoothly transition to your purpose for reconnecting, whether it's discussing potential collaboration, sharing relevant information, or scheduling a follow-up meeting. This approach not only reinforces the relationship but also highlights your attentiveness and commitment to a meaningful connection.

Exactly, having a clear purpose for your follow-up communication is essential. Whether it's seeking advice, feedback, referrals, or offering your own services and skills, knowing your objective beforehand helps you structure your message effectively and increases the chances of a positive outcome from the interaction.

Careful planning and brain storming allows us to explore our needs from the following up and any further needs the client may have. It should be open, clear and transparent to maximise information exchange without wasting the clients time.

Before reaching out, define your purpose. Whether it's to network, collaborate, seek advice, or explore mutual opportunities, clarity in your objective will guide your follow-up. When I reach out to a new contact, I usually have a specific reason in mind, like discussing a potential partnership or seeking guidance on a project. Setting this goal helps me tailor my follow-up accordingly.

Select a communication channel that aligns with your goal and the nature of your initial interaction—email, LinkedIn message, phone call, or even a handwritten note. Tailor your choice based on their preferred method and the depth of your connection. I've found that if the initial interaction was through a professional platform like LinkedIn or email, it's best to continue there for consistency. However, if it was a more personal introduction, like at a conference, a follow-up email with a note referencing the meeting can be effective.

Avoid being too hasty or too delayed. Send your follow-up within a reasonable timeframe, typically within a week or two after your initial interaction. Consider their schedule and the urgency of your message. I usually follow up within a week, striking a balance between showing interest without being too pushy. It also allows enough time for them to remember our initial interaction.

Be clear and concise with why you're reaching out. This will save both you and the contact a lot of time as interests will have been indicated or rejected from the start.

Craft a personalized message that refers to your previous interaction. Mention a memorable detail or something specific you discussed to demonstrate your genuine interest in continuing the conversation. I try to reference a specific point we discussed or highlight a common interest to rekindle the connection. It shows that I value our previous conversation and want to build upon it.

Respect their time and boundaries. Keep your follow-up concise and focused. Avoid bombarding them with too much information or making excessive requests. I always acknowledge their time and express appreciation for any insights or guidance they previously shared. Being respectful of their time has helped me build rapport gradually.

During follow-up with a client we need to ensure they recognise they are under no obligation to continue with us. Preserving their agency and autonomy is our ethical duty and is beneficial for them. Feedback can be obtained if it doesn't inconvenience them. We need to ensure they feel the freedom to be honest and transparent in this by explaining we are always trying to improve. Ideally, they should have time to consider if they wish to provide feedback without any pressure.

Always, always, always and I mean always being respectful. In any professional environment your first job is to be professional and still be yourself. Respect is always acknowledged, whether it is praised or not. You as a professional must respect the person you are as a man or woman to provide the necessary respect you demand, while respecting those the way you preferred to be treated. I am not one who typically believes in first impressions, I believe in how many times can you do that impression to make me a believe that you are who you are!

Consistency builds trust in the coach-client relationship. This opens the door to a client wanting to work with you in mutual collaboration. It's about a client knowing you are trustworthy and reliable as they navigate challenges.

Consistency shows that you are respectful of yourself and others by being reliable and responsible. Plus it shows you value the professional relationship between the two of you. It's a noble way of being. I like it as my way of being because I most definitely love being treated this way.

That's right! However, there is a thin line between being consistent and being a bug. Ask for their preferences to know when they will like to be contacted, and also ask for their most preferred medium of communication.

By adding value to the new connection you have established. Going thru the profile of the new contact, understanding their preferences, expertise is a good way to start. Initial contact, either in person or virtually can be used to establish a rapport with the person. This would help you understand their priorities, goals and needs. Determine the areas you can add value to them. Value add needs to be done on a continuing basis - an interesting article or video that you could share. An event that may be of interest. Any article or post you may have contributed of interest to them. Enquiring and being interested in the other person's goals and progress, would bring in reciprocity with the contact adding further value to you.

It's all about building a genuine, mutually beneficial relationship. What matters is, that instead of approaching with a self-serving agenda, "What's in it for Me?" shifting the focus to "How Can I Add Value?" If you actively listen to their interests, challenges, and aspirations during your initial conversation, it becomes easy to identify & offer specific ways your skills, experience, or network can be helpful. By positioning yourself as a valuable resource you'll naturally nurture the relationship. People connect with those who make them feel heard and understood. Genuine care and consistent effort will eventually pave the way for a mutually beneficial professional relationship and your authenticity will manifest valuable reciprocity .