What are some effective ways to follow up with new Graphic Design connections?

1 Send a thank-you note

One of the simplest and most courteous ways to follow up with a new graphic design connection is to send a thank-you note. This can be an email, a text message, or even a handwritten card, depending on the context and the level of formality. A thank-you note shows that you appreciate the time and attention they gave you, and that you value their insights and feedback. It also helps you to stand out from the crowd and to reinforce your brand identity. A good thank-you note should be personalized, concise, and specific. Mention something you learned from them, or something you liked about their work, and express your interest in staying in touch.

2 Share relevant content

Another way to follow up with a new graphic design connection is to share relevant content with them. This can be an article, a podcast, a video, or a portfolio piece that relates to their interests, goals, or challenges. Sharing relevant content shows that you are attentive, resourceful, and generous. It also helps you to establish your expertise and credibility, and to spark a conversation. A good content share should be timely, useful, and respectful. Don't spam them with too many links, or send them something that is too salesy or self-promotional. Instead, offer them something that adds value to their work or their learning, and invite them to share their thoughts or questions.

4 Offer help

A fourth way to follow up with a new graphic design connection is to offer help. This can be a referral, a recommendation, a testimonial, or a favor that can benefit them in some way. Offering help shows that you are supportive, generous, and reciprocal. It also helps you to create value and goodwill, and to strengthen your relationship. A good help offer should be sincere, appropriate, and genuine. Don't offer help that is unsolicited, unrealistic, or conditional. Instead, offer help that is meaningful, feasible, and voluntary.

5 Invite them to an event

A fifth way to follow up with a new graphic design connection is to invite them to an event. This can be a webinar, a workshop, a meetup, or a conference that is relevant to their interests, goals, or challenges. Inviting them to an event shows that you are thoughtful, proactive, and sociable. It also helps you to provide an opportunity for learning, networking, or collaboration, and to keep the conversation going. A good event invitation should be personal, informative, and respectful. Don't invite them to an event that is irrelevant, expensive, or inconvenient. Instead, invite them to an event that is valuable, affordable, and accessible.

6 Follow them on social media

A sixth way to follow up with a new graphic design connection is to follow them on social media. This can be on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or any other platform where they have a presence. Following them on social media shows that you are interested, engaged, and updated. It also helps you to stay in touch, to show your support, and to discover more about them. A good social media follow should be polite, appropriate, and consistent. Don't follow them on every platform, or like or comment on every post, or send them unsolicited messages. Instead, follow them on the platforms where they are most active, or where you have the most in common, and interact with them in a respectful and relevant way.

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?