What's your post-networking event follow-up strategy?

Our post networking event strategy includes connecting on Linkedin during our events, sharing photographs of our attendees from the events, thanking them for attending over the phone after the event, sending through what we have on next and mentioning what we have to offer.

You don't run around shoving business cards in people's faces at a networking event, so don't connect on LinkedIn and pitch slap once the request is accepted. Build a relationship first and take an interest in the other person or thank them for connecting. If they might be a viable referral partner, set up a virtual or in-person coffee meeting. Ask them to give you a tour of their website or social media so you have an overview and then take your turn and do the same. Be a giver. If you see an article that might interest them, send them a link and let them know you were thinking about them.

It takes a minute to include a message letting someone know where you met or came across them but it has a big impact. Personally, I greatly appreciate when someone includes a message and accept those connections without hesitation. And it goes without saying that the appropriate next message is not a sales pitch but perhaps a question to get a conversation started.

Offer to have a "virtual coffee" online, or an in-person one, the goal is to get to know what each one does - and if there are any potential synergies for growth. This meeting might not just help each other, but others in both of your spheres of influence. A live calendar like Calendly comes very handy in painlessly scheduling a meeting.

Voici un template de message que j'envoie : J'adorerais prendre le temps de discuter à ce sujet. As-tu de la disponibilité la semaine prochaine ? Voici mes disponibilités : (j'insère un lien calendly)

If you are each a subject matter expert, offer to share a tip and ask if they might return the favor. Use LinkedIn messages to make a warm introduction to a contact that might be helpful to them and maybe they will also make an introduction in return. Share some gratitude and thank them for their input in a follow-up message. Anytime you run across a useful resource, send it to them so they know they are top of mind.

Quand je rencontre une nouvelle personne, voici les questions que je me pose : -Qu'elle ressource (podcast, article, livre), pourrai-je lui recommander ? -Qui de mon réseau pourrait l'intéresser ? Si je ne trouve pas de réponse immédiatement, je garde cette personne en tête pendant ma semaine. Même si la ressource n'est pas "parfaite", c'est l'intention qui compte :)

A great way to stay in touch and top of mind is to comment on content (assuming someone is posting). Not only does this show your interest and support, but can expose you to a broader audience.

J'essaye de bloquer un créneau de 1h tous les mois réservé à recontacter les personnes que j'ai rencontrées il y a +3 mois. Cela me permet d'avoir un renouvellement et de ne pas procrastiner mon follow-up.

In my current position, networking plays a significant role. To enhance the impact of these interactions, I make a conscious effort to follow up with individuals through text messages after our meetings. This allows them to save my contact information and helps reinforce their memory of our encounter. I find this straightforward yet powerful approach particularly effective in today's digital era, where WhatsApp has become a popular communication platform.

When networking most people home in on the decision makers. Round out your network by meeting and getting to know people who aren’t at the decision maker level yet. Partnerships must have mutual respect and a foundation of trust so spend some quality time with people who will be tomorrows leaders.

After attending an event, I always reach out and schedule an in person meetings. It’s important to understand his or her business objectives and see how I can help them. The initial follow up meeting is all about getting to know one another better & finding ways to support each other.