Here's how you can effectively follow up with contacts after networking events in Partnerships.

What I’ve found the most effective is sending the message right away. Literally. Right after you get the person’s contact info whether via text, LinkedIn or IG, write the message right then and there referencing what you just spoke about and why they were open to exchange information with you in the first place. It takes away the pressure of following up in a day or two, allows you to connect without having to remember exactly who they are since the message serves as a reminder for both you and them.

Following up with contacts after networking events in Partnerships is crucial for relationship building. Start by connecting on LinkedIn, referencing the event and a memorable topic discussed. For a more personal touch, use email, mentioning specifics from your conversation. If possible, obtain their cell number for a direct text, a live interaction ensures accurate contact information and strengthens the connection. Consistent, genuine follow-ups demonstrate your interest and commitment, fostering fruitful partnerships in the long run.

The Follow Up is literally EVERYTHING - be it a formal or informal meet-up or meeting of some kind, a presentation, a dedicated industry networking event, conference or trade show. This is how you expand your base of prospects and business potential. One thing that I have now found challenging, is the lack of Business Cards that are shared now, compared to years ago. Many folks simply do not have them any more. But years ago, when I would arrive home from a large Trade/Industry Event, I would have 100+ Business Cards, and this would be my guide for the Follow Ups. Now - I have to go more on memory, or utilize an Attendee List from the Event! Still - the Follow-Up is essential and done!

Following up is the key. Deliver value fast. Avoid going in with the hard sell, but rather offer elevation specific and relevant to the aims of the contact. It'll demonstrate that you've listened, add a layer by reading further on topics that were discussed - share something that they will find useful! It'll build an authentic connection, establish authority and deeper trust. It paves the way to meeting and the prospect being more likely open to a sales conversation.

I couldn't agree more! It's also a good idea to include a personal element or observation that sets your meeting apart, such as a shared joke or an unexpected common interest. This not only makes the message more personal, but also creates an emotional connection that makes future collaboration more promising. Including a value proposition or an idea of how you might work together will demonstrate your commitment and seriousness about a possible collaboration.

I agree. People will do business with people they know and trust. The best way to connect with people is to talk less and listen more. People will open up to you if you show genuine care and concern. Always connect on a personal level on a follow up. I am in sales but not a salesman. I help people solve problems with the products, services or solutions I offer.

Adaptation and customisation are essential keys to building successful partnerships. Recognising and valuing each other's expertise not only aligns your goals, but also creates a synergy where each party brings unique value. By focusing our collaboration on this complementarity, we create a mutually beneficial relationship where learning and growth are shared. By emphasising these values of adaptability and customisation, we stand out in an often impersonal business world. This enables us to build relationships based on trust and mutual respect, which are essential to the success of any partnership. Together, using our respective strengths, we can reach greater heights in a spirit of shared growth and success.

One thing that I have found helpful is genuinely personalizing follow-up messages. Take notes during your conversations at events; these details are invaluable. For example, if a contact mentioned struggling with reliable taxi services for their corporate clients in Cambodia, reference this in your follow-up. Offer insights into how EasyWeGo’s integrated local taxi booking can provide a solution. Such personalized touches show your attentiveness and commitment to addressing their specific needs, helping you stand out from others who might just send generic follow-ups.

Personalize each follow-up by referencing specific conversations or interests shared during the event. This personal touch shows genuine interest and strengthens professional connections.

By adding a personal touch to your message, you can leave a lasting impression and cultivate a strong relationship that yields valuable results. It is crucial to be genuine in your approach. Relevance matters here.

The first contact must be characterised by authenticity and emotional transparency, creating a special relationship based on closeness and sensitivity. You can't learn this at school, I'm afraid. Follow-up communication plays a crucial role in this dynamic, confirming the intensity of the first contact and demonstrating the partner's enthusiasm and reliability. It is important to find the right balance in the timing of follow-up to maintain the momentum of the relationship. Respecting commitments and deadlines builds trust and shows respect for the time and energy invested by the other party. This attention to detail is essential to building a lasting and meaningful relationship.

Timing your follow-up can greatly influence the outcome. Once, after introducing our shared workspace booking service, I agreed to send more detailed information to a potential partner. Sending the promised details within two days demonstrated our reliability and keen interest in the partnership. It's important to deliver any promised information promptly, as this reinforces your professionalism and keeps the momentum of your initial meeting going, which is essential for building trust and progressing towards formalizing partnerships.

Would you have concluded on some next steps, you obviously need to respond to your partner. Would you need more time, you need to say so. You need to communicate where you are to show you are trustful poptential partner.

In my experience offering value is not limited to intros and expert advice. It can also be: acting as a sounding board, commenting on a post, sharing an article that is relevant to the person etc.

In order to build solid and lasting professional relationships, it is important to provide added value beyond the products or services offered. This includes experience, expertise, energy, reliability and transparency in interactions. By consistently offering something useful, you become a committed partner rather than just a supplier. This builds trust and credibility and fosters fruitful partnerships based on mutual support and collaboration. By making a real contribution to each other's success, a mutually beneficial relationship is established for future collaboration.

Always aim to offer something valuable in your follow-up. After a recent trade show, I sent a potential partner links to case studies highlighting how our services increased productivity for similar companies in their industry. This wasn’t just informative but also showcased our expertise and success in a relevant context. By offering value beyond what was discussed, you position yourself as a resourceful ally, not just another business seeking a partnership. It underscores your commitment to mutual benefits, a cornerstone of successful collaborations.

A robust value proposition is essential for forging a successful partnership. It must be centered around the customer to effectively convey the benefits of collaboration. In instances where proposing value is not immediately apparent after an initial meeting, it is crucial to persist and thoroughly explore the needs and pain points of your partner.

By taking a proactive approach to communication, encouraging open and honest exchanges, you create a space where ideas and concerns can be shared freely. Asking specific questions about your contacts' business goals and challenges shows a genuine interest in their successes and needs. Not only does this demonstrate your willingness to build a balanced and mutually beneficial partnership, it also opens the door to more in-depth discussions that allow everyone to explore new ways of working together. By keeping these lines of communication open, you are laying the foundations for a relationship based on trust and mutual understanding - key elements of any successful partnership.

Keeping the dialogue open is key to successful follow-ups. Ask questions about their current challenges and how you might help address them. For example, in a follow-up email, I might ask a travel agency about the difficulties they face with international communications and suggest a brief call to discuss how our global eSIM services could help. This approach not only shows your interest in their business needs but also facilitates ongoing conversation, which is vital for deepening relationships and building trust.

The quality of your questions will determine the strength of your partnership and your openness. Being able to adapt your proposition based on the responses received is key to success.

The best approach is to directly ask your partner when you can expect a response. If there is a delay, politely send a reminder. In large corporations, decision-making often involves multiple people and can take time. Offering to reach out to other decision-makers can help clarify and strengthen your proposal. Resilience is crucial in navigating this process.

Having a structured follow-up plan is essential. One time at work, after not hearing back from a contact, I sent a gentle reminder after two weeks, reiterating our service’s value and my willingness to provide further information. It's important to be persistent yet respectful; if they don’t respond after a couple of attempts, it’s best to back off and focus on other opportunities. Remember, effective partnership development is about fostering quality connections, not merely increasing email volume.

Reflecting on numerous follow-up efforts, one lesson stands out: always adapt your strategy based on the feedback and signals from your contacts. For instance, if someone expresses interest in one specific aspect of your service, such as our flexible desk options in shared workspaces, tailor your communications to highlight that service more. It's about listening and adapting to their needs, which not only helps in customizing your offer but also in building a partnership that feels both relevant and exclusive to them.

Partnerships are relationships with people. In my experience, the first box you have to clear is whether or not you mutually see value in building a relationship. Assuming you clear this box, the rest becomes easier.