How can you effectively follow up with people you meet at a Performance Management conference?

2 Be timely

Don't wait too long to follow up with your new contacts. Ideally, you should send them an email within 24 hours of meeting them, while the conference is still fresh in their minds. This will show that you are proactive, attentive, and respectful of their time. It will also increase the chances of getting a response and starting a conversation. If you wait for weeks or months, you might lose the momentum and the rapport you built at the conference.

3 Be memorable

When you write your follow-up email, make sure to remind your contact who you are and how you met. Mention something specific that you talked about at the conference, such as a session, a question, a challenge, or a common interest. This will help you stand out from the crowd and demonstrate that you paid attention and cared about the interaction. It will also make your email more personal and engaging, rather than generic and impersonal.

4 Be helpful

One of the best ways to follow up with someone you met at a conference is to offer them something helpful or valuable. This could be a resource, a recommendation, an introduction, a feedback, or a solution to a problem they mentioned. By doing this, you will show that you are not just looking for something from them, but also willing to give something back. You will also establish yourself as a credible and generous professional who can add value to their network.

5 Be consistent

Following up with someone once is not enough to build a lasting relationship. You need to follow up with them consistently and keep the conversation going. This doesn't mean that you should spam them with emails every day, but rather that you should check in with them periodically and update them on your progress, achievements, or challenges. You should also look for opportunities to reconnect with them, such as inviting them to another event, asking for their opinion on a topic, or congratulating them on a milestone. By doing this, you will show that you are genuinely interested in them and their work, and that you are not just a one-time contact.

Following up with people you meet at a performance management conference can be a rewarding and beneficial experience for both parties. By applying these tips, you can turn your new contacts into meaningful and long-term connections that can help you grow your skills, knowledge, and career.