When is the right time to follow up?
Many of us in business attend our industry’s own trade shows. Often we chat with industry friends as we walk the aisles.? We may be an exhibitor and have brief meetings with clients, prospects and suppliers.? Or we may be a speaker during an industry workshop session.
No matter what, there are always opportunities to expand our network or develop new business from these industry events.
The big question is:? How soon should you follow up on a conversation after the event ends?
?Some people think it’s preferable to let your contacts settle back into their office routine and then follow up with them a week or two after the event. You know, don’t be too pushy.
?Others use a technique that is my personal favorite and that is to send an IMMEDIATE email or text to the contact, moments after you met.? That means if you are an exhibitor at a trade show, as the prospect or supplier leaves your booth, you, or someone on your team, sends an immediate message to them to set the stage for follow-up.? Talk about a WOW-effect!
?The practice that is most sustainable and produces great results is to send follow-up emails a few days after the show ends and you are back in your office.? If a trade show ends on a Friday or Saturday, then you send follow-up emails on Monday.?
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?And how do you make sure you are set up for success with follow-through?
?You’re leaving money on the table if you only send a single follow-up email. Or a single post on LinkedIn.? How many different ways can you amplify your message within your industry?
?Remember, all of us are deluged with media messages.? It’s the digital version of “junk mail”. How can you stand out? ? You stand out by personalizing your message and making sure you have impeccable follow-up.? They say that a prospect doesn’t recognize that you even exist until you have “touched them” nine times.?
?So when is the right time to follow up?? Now!? Let’s go!
Founder + CEO @Green Goes,LLC sourcing fresh produce that nurture your mind, body & soul ? The Fresh Business Women Own ?
4 周Great tips!! Karen Caplan, I strongly agree following while at the show and set time apart each evening to send notes on every an each individual business card that I obtained. In some cultures, business cards are treated with lots of respect, so I do believe honoring one is emphasizing that you care about the interaction with the person that provided it to you!
MFA; Brand and Marketing Expert
4 周My notes app is my savior when following up from a show. I'm diligent in noting when to follow up as each person I meet has something going on in their lives - taking time off after a show, dealing with a natural disaster as some of my peers are currently, or stressing the priority of scheduling the follow up - ask in the moment and it makes the follow up cadence more clear.
Higher Education Expert| Strategic Consultant| Executive Coach| Rewired Not Retired
4 周Excellent suggestions!!!!
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4 周This is incredibly helpful, Karen! Your insights on the timing and approach to follow-ups provide real clarity, especially around the importance of balancing persistence with respect for the recipient’s time. It's a great reminder that the right follow-up can strengthen relationships and open doors, while overdoing it could have the opposite effect. Thanks for sharing these practical tips!