The magic of Follow ups in Business!

We spend our day in generating leads and referrals for our business and in the course of doing so get involved with a number of activities. From choosing your adverts placement to marketing efforts to cold calling and then careful strategising a proposal to answer a query we procured after all the efforts. The same goes for networking at a business event. We take all the efforts of reaching there on time, introducing ourselves, gaining trust and then finally landing a referral or a connect.

When we meet a new person and have successfully introduced a person at a networking event, it is important to follow a few steps to ensure we don't lose him after all the efforts we put in.

Follow up within 48 hours of the first introduction

It is important to follow up with a quick email or a call after the initial meeting just to stay fresh in the mind of the recipient. Quite often, our memories erase a meeting if the follow up does not happen quickly. At this point, you could just pass greetings and not really push proposing business right away.

Connect again within 21 days to arrange a meeting

It is important now to meet up again so you can strengthen the bond. Based on the trust or comradery developed, you can choose to discuss business or something else that can help you help the other person. Remember, the key is to help and not expect anything straight away. Even if the other person is keen in availing your professional services, it is important you listen and research and understand his business better, so you land the job soon.

Gain him back

Even if the connection breaks at this point, stay in touch and show respect and not seem greedy. You may still win him back or get a referral from him.

You will soon realise the importance of the follow-ups formula you just read. The magic of business is in structured follow-ups. Stay connected. Stay positive.