How can you follow up with Energy Management networking contacts to build strong relationships?

1 Send a thank-you note

Sending a thank-you note to a new contact within 24 hours is a great way to show your appreciation for their time and attention. Depending on the context and preference of your contact, you can use email, LinkedIn, or other platforms to send your message. When writing the note, remind them of who you are and how you met, mention something specific that you learned or enjoyed from the conversation, express your gratitude for their work or expertise, and suggest a follow-up action such as sharing a resource, asking a question, or setting up a meeting.

2 Add value to the relationship

The next step is to add value to the relationship by providing something useful or relevant to your contact. This could be a link to an article, podcast, or report that relates to their interests or challenges, an introduction to someone else in your network who could help them with a problem or opportunity, a feedback, recommendation, or testimonial for their work or service, or an invitation to an event, webinar, or workshop that they might benefit from or enjoy. It is essential to offer something that is genuine, personalized, and timely without seeming spammy or self-serving. Additionally, you should not ask for favors or referrals until you have established some rapport and trust.

3 Keep the conversation going

The final step is to keep the conversation going by staying in touch and showing interest in your contact's goals and achievements. You can do this by following up on the action items that you agreed on in your previous communication, periodically checking in to see their progress, commenting on their posts, articles, or updates, congratulating them on milestones or awards, and asking for their opinions or advice. The frequency and mode of communication should be tailored to the nature of the relationship and the preferences of your contact. Aim for a balance between being respectful and persistent, but be careful not to be too pushy or intrusive. Building strong relationships with energy management networking contacts is an ongoing process that needs care and attention to reap the rewards of professional growth and success.

4 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?