How do you decide when to follow up with a new contact after networking?

1 Why follow up matters

Following up with a new contact is not only courteous, but also strategic. It shows that you are interested, proactive, and reliable. It also helps you stand out from the crowd of other people who may have met the same person. By following up, you can reinforce your value proposition, remind them of your conversation, and suggest a next step. This can lead to more opportunities, referrals, or collaborations in the future.

2 When to follow up

There is no definitive answer to when to follow up with a new contact, as it depends on the context, the purpose, and the rapport you have established. However, a general rule of thumb is to follow up within 24 to 48 hours after meeting someone. This way, you can strike a balance between being timely and respectful, without being too pushy or desperate. If you wait too long, you risk losing their interest or attention, or forgetting the details of your interaction.

4 What to say

The content of your follow-up message should be clear, concise, and personalized. You should start by thanking them for their time and reminding them of where and how you met. Then, you should mention something specific that you discussed or learned from them, and express your interest in staying in touch. Finally, you should propose a next step, such as scheduling a meeting, sending a resource, or introducing them to someone else. You should also include a call to action, such as asking for their feedback, opinion, or availability.

5 How to follow up again

Sometimes, you may not get a response from your first follow-up message. This does not necessarily mean that your contact is not interested or that you did something wrong. It could be that they are busy, distracted, or forgot to reply. In that case, you can follow up again after a reasonable period of time, such as a week or two. However, you should avoid following up too frequently or aggressively, as this can annoy or alienate your contact. Instead, you should try to add some value, such as sharing an update, an insight, or a relevant article.

6 How to maintain the relationship

Following up with a new contact is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. You should aim to keep in touch with your contact on a regular basis, but not too often. You should also try to provide value, support, and reciprocity, rather than just asking for favors or information. You can do this by sending them useful resources, congratulating them on their achievements, inviting them to events, or introducing them to other contacts. By doing so, you can build trust, rapport, and goodwill, and turn your new contact into a long-term connection.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?