You've made valuable connections at a networking event. How do you ensure they lead to lasting relationships?

1. Follow up promptly: Send a personalized message within 24-48 hours, referencing your conversation. 2. Connect digitally: Link on professional platforms, but tailor your invitation. 3. Offer value first: Share an article, introduction, or resource relevant to their interests or challenges. 4. Schedule a one-on-one: Suggest a coffee chat or video call to deepen the connection. 5. Be consistent: Maintain regular, meaningful touchpoints without overwhelming. 6. Listen actively: Remember details about their work and life, and reference them in future interactions. 7. Celebrate their wins: Acknowledge their achievements, no matter how small. Remember, authentic relationships are built on mutual benefit and genuine interest.

Following up promptly is crucial in relationship building, as it not only reinforces the initial connection but also sets the tone for future interactions. Personalizing your communication by referencing specific discussions not only shows that you were engaged but also helps to create a deeper emotional connection. In an age where digital communication is prevalent, the human touch in follow-ups can differentiate you from others, making your outreach memorable and fostering trust over time.

When connecting with people at networking events, it's crucial to stay engaged and nurture these relationships. A great way to do this is by following them on social media to stay informed about their career developments and activities. Make an effort to like, comment, and celebrate their milestones, as this shows that you value their progress and accomplishments. Consistent interaction not only keeps you on their radar but also helps build stronger professional relationships, fostering a sense of appreciation and mutual support over time.

When building lasting relationships, set the intention to show up authenically and you are nurturing a high-quality relationship. Get to know the person and what is important to them and share parts of your life too. People are able to discern fake communication and connections. Connect with from a place of genuine communication and not from an AI script/generic script. Include your shared experiences/connection when communicating person, social media. As always, respond as quickly as possible and let them know if you are not able to resond due other committments.

After a recent networking event, I made it a priority to follow up with the valuable connections I had made. Within 24 hours, I sent personalized messages to each person I had spoken with, expressing my pleasure at meeting them and suggesting ways we could collaborate. By acting quickly, I kept the momentum going and demonstrated my genuine interest in building a lasting relationship.

In my follow-up messages, I made sure to personalize my communication. I referenced specific points from our conversations and highlighted areas where I thought we could assist each other. This approach showed that I had listened attentively and that I was invested in understanding their needs and goals. By tailoring my outreach, I created a more meaningful connection that went beyond a generic networking exchange.

To ensure your connections stay engaged, offering value is crucial. The value I always bring to my contacts is connecting them with professionals who can solve their problems. By doing this, I show that I am genuinely invested in helping them succeed, without expecting anything in return. This builds trust and positions me as a resourceful professional they want to keep in their network. Consistently offering connections and solutions strengthens relationships and shows that you are a problem-solver who adds value to their career. How do you provide value to your network? Let’s share insights!

By offering your connections something of value, you communicate that you are more than about making the sale/or other end result. For example, offering to join your professional social network (LinkedIn, Facebood etc), or send them a newsletter tailored to their interests. Nurturing relationships is an investment of time, energy and resources and it also provides connections, networking and collaborations as we build humanized cultures and in the long run long-term business relationships.

As I nurtured my new relationships, I looked for opportunities to offer value. I shared relevant articles, made introductions to helpful contacts, and provided insights on topics that were relevant to my new connections. By adding value without expecting anything in return, I established myself as a trusted resource and someone who was invested in their success. This approach laid the groundwork for a mutually beneficial relationship.

Nurturing on-going relationships, and offering value is an example of playing the long-game. Meaning, as you continue to build relationships overtime then the fruits of the relationhip building may produce the results you are seeking. As you stay engaged overtime and build trusting and authentic relationships then you are modeling your genine interest in your connections. In our complex and digital world, people are seeking meaningful connections.

To ensure my connections led to lasting relationships, I made a conscious effort to stay engaged. I regularly checked in with my new contacts, commenting on their posts, and sharing updates on my own projects. By maintaining a steady presence, I kept the lines of communication open and demonstrated my commitment to the relationship. This consistent engagement helped deepen our bond and kept us top of mind for potential opportunities.

After making valuable connections, the key to turning them into lasting relationships lies in follow-up and meaningful engagement. Here's how: Reach out within 24-48 hours with a personalized message, referencing your conversation to reinforce the connection. Propose a follow-up meeting or virtual coffee to dive deeper into mutual interests or collaboration opportunities. Offer value upfront, whether it’s sharing relevant insights, making an introduction, or providing resources that could benefit them. By focusing on authentic relationship building and showing genuine interest in their success, you’ll transform a brief interaction into a long-term, fruitful partnership.

Whenever possible, I made it a point to set in-person meetings or video calls with my new connections. These face-to-face interactions allowed us to build a stronger rapport and explore potential synergies more deeply. During our meetings, I focused on active listening, asking thoughtful questions, and finding ways to collaborate. By investing time in these personal interactions, I strengthened the foundation of our relationship.