How can you effectively follow up with new contacts after a conference in Executive Coaching?

You can go for a meeting with the sole aim to getting to know someone because you are for instance in the same industry. It doesn't have to be a stiffed agenda, it can however be a first step to learn where two Executives can possibly elaborate, or maybe not.

Setting a clear goal and timeline for follow-up is crucial for effective networking. Knowing what you want to achieve, whether it's scheduling a meeting, asking for a referral, offering your services, or staying in touch, helps you tailor your communication and increase the likelihood of success. Timing is also key, as following up within a week after a conference maintains the connection's freshness and demonstrates your proactive approach. By setting a goal and timeline, you showcase professionalism and commitment to building meaningful connections.

Nach der Konferenz macht es Sinn, alle neuen Kontakte, zu ordnen und sich einen überblick zu schaffen, wen man genau getroffen hat. Dann kann man die Kontakte in Gruppen einsortieren, je nachdem, ob es sich um Kollaborationspartner, potentielle Kunden, Kunden oder Kollegen handelt, und was mit diesen Kontakten erreicht werden soll. Je nach Gruppe und dem jeweiligen Aktionsplan ist es gut, zügig nach dem Treffen eine individuelle Follow Up Nachricht schicken, um den neuen Kontakt zu festigen.

Blanket and mass messages are just annoying and not very well received. They end up getting lost in an inbox or simply ignored. Research the person you are reaching out to and send them something that could be engaging! Don't overdo it though.

Personalizing your follow-up message reflects your attentiveness and genuine interest in the person you're reaching out to. By referencing something specific that you discussed or learned from them at the conference, such as a session they led or attended, a question they asked, a challenge they faced, or a goal they shared, you show that you were actively engaged in the conversation. This personalization demonstrates that you value their insights and perspectives, and it helps create a more meaningful and memorable connection. It also sets you apart from generic or mass emails, as it shows that you have taken the time and effort to tailor your message specifically for them.

Connect on LinkedIn: Send a personalized LinkedIn connection request referencing your meeting at the conference. This extends your professional network and provides another way to stay connected.

Try to add value in your message and offer something that could help your contact. Also, structure your value proposition in a clear way that focuses on what your client gets from it

Executives find it sometimes intimidating to reach out to new connections. It is very important to reach out for a coffee when two Executives have common matters to discuss. It isn't considered intruding.

Adding value in your follow-up message is essential for building a strong relationship with new contacts. By providing something that solves a problem, helps achieve a goal, or offers valuable insights, you demonstrate your expertise and genuine support. This can be in the form of sharing resources, offering tips, giving feedback, or providing testimonials tailored to their needs. By offering value, you show your commitment to their success and build trust. Additionally, when asking for action, make it clear and compelling, whether it's inviting them to a call, webinar, workshop, or referral program. This proactive approach encourages further engagement and collaboration.

Keeping the conversation going after the initial follow-up message is crucial for building and nurturing relationships with new contacts. It demonstrates your ongoing interest and commitment to their success. By following up on the action you asked for, sending a thank you note, acknowledging their achievements, or sharing relevant updates, you continue to engage with them and show your genuine interest in their progress. This helps to build rapport, trust, and credibility as an executive coach. Additionally, leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook allows you to stay connected and engaged with your contacts, further strengthening the relationship and providing opportunities for ongoing communication and support

Tracking and measuring the results of your follow-up efforts is essential for effective management and improvement. By keeping track of key metrics such as the number of new contacts you followed up with, the number of responses you received, the number of contacts who took the action you asked for, and the number who became clients, partners, or referrals, you can evaluate the effectiveness of your follow-up strategy. Additionally, measuring the revenue generated from your new contacts provides valuable insights into the ROI of your networking efforts. This data allows you to identify what works and what doesn't, make informed decisions, and continuously improve your networking and relationship-building skills.

Keep offering ongoing value to the people you have coached. This is a great way to stay connected yo the person and staying connected to the value you bring.

the article makes it sound as if i am reaching out to people i haven't personally met, but rather collected business cards or downoaded teh attendee list. In my definition that's a "lead" not a new contact. A new "contact" for me is based on a personal interaction at the event. ideally you part ways with an agreed upon next step. that way the next interaction will not feel like a "marketing/sales pitch" at all, but a valuable follow-up. it it is just a "lead" then the 6 steps described here are a good next steps.