What are some creative ways to follow up after a networking event?
Networking events can be goldmines for business development opportunities, but the real magic happens in the follow-up. It's where you transform brief handshakes and business card exchanges into meaningful business relationships. If you're looking to stand out in a sea of follow-up emails, you need to get creative. By leveraging the personal touchpoints and unique interactions you had, you can craft follow-up strategies that not only remind your new connections of your conversation but also demonstrate your value and commitment to building a lasting relationship.
When following up, a personalized message can make all the difference. Refer back to the conversation you had, mentioning something specific you discussed. This shows that you were genuinely interested and paying attention. If you promised to share a resource or piece of information, include it in your message. This not only adds value to your follow-up but also establishes you as a reliable and helpful contact.
-
Networking with like-minded or growth-driven individuals is an art which starts with: 1. Identifying the pool of people who fit into your desired criteria. 2. Once done - it is crucial to arrange 121s in a casual setting to get to know them on a personal level. Learn about their journey and life. 3. After breaking the ice in the 121, invite them to your office or professional setting to share your objectives and any ideas of collaboration. Introduce them to your team or any other stakeholders.
-
Whenever I participate on big corporate event, I do my best to learn as much as I can about the event and the brands that will participate. This helps me have insights as to what to expect but also conversation starters for when networking. I always exchange business cards after great conversations with professionals as not only am I keeping the contact to reach out but I also now have a topic to start a discussion after the event. I try to not make things awkward by inviting people for meeting on first interaction but try to learn more about their business or career, this create a comfortable space for when invitation pour it be less awkward.
-
The secret is to schedule meetings / drinks / lunches while at the networking event. Put it on the calendar right there. And you won't be kicking yourself two weeks later when you get ghosted. These meetings especially when they involve food or coffee tend to happen. And you'll have plenty to talk about fresh of your networking event!
-
You can’t become friends or sell to everyone you meet. Reflect and mark out the contacts who you could develop a mutually beneficial relationship with. Follow this up with a brief note and express the desire to meet up again. Take things slow and easy.
-
There are many creative ways to follow up after a networking event. One way is to send a personalized, handwritten note to show your appreciation for the connection. Additionally, connecting with them on social media and liking or commenting on their posts is a great way to stay in touch. Another way is to send a relevant article or resource that you think they would find valuable. Lastly, don’t forget to follow up with any promises or commitments made during the event.
-
Following up after networking is crucial for relationship building. Send a personalised email, expressing gratitude and referencing key points from the conversation. Connect on LinkedIn and engage with their content to stay on their radar. Offer value before pitching services, such as sharing industry insights or making introductions. This builds trust and goodwill for future collaboration.
-
After a networking event, personalize your follow-up by referencing specific conversations or topics discussed. Offer value to both parties by suggesting ways you can collaborate or assist each other. Consider hosting a webinar or event related to shared interests and invite your new connections. Keep your follow-up concise, friendly, and focused on building a meaningful connection.
-
Take selfies with people you'd like to follow up with. 100% response rate guaranteed. LinkedIn, can you remove the limitation of answering with at least 150 symbols? It's killing me again! You can contribute in a valuable way with just one sentence. In fact, most of the time, it's the best recommendation.
-
Personalized Email with a Twist: Beyond a simple "nice to meet you" email, attach a relevant article, video, or event flyer that ties back to your conversation. This shows you were listening and are invested in the relationship. Handwritten Note: In a digital world, a handwritten thank-you note can make a memorable impact. It shows effort and personal touch, especially if you mention something specific from your interaction. Introduction to a Third Party: Offer to introduce them to someone in your network who could help with their goals. This demonstrates your willingness to provide value and support their success. Feedback or Compliment: If they mentioned a project they're working on, provide constructive feedback or a genuine compliment.
-
One thing I have found helpful is arranging for a follow up meet up and ensuring ahead there are shared and common grounds to engage This has really worked Also I feel networking does not end with just getting contacts for immediate gain, but to build a network that can lead to future opportunities My philosophy is I attend events becuase I will learn or meet people that I can add value to or add value to me I have found myself creating businesses out of networking events
-
A personalized outreach has to be sincere. A reference to something you found particularly interesting about the person or their career will show that your interaction was real.
Social media platforms are excellent tools for keeping the conversation going after a networking event. Connect with your new contacts on LinkedIn or follow their professional Twitter accounts. Engage with their content by liking, commenting, or sharing. This interaction keeps you on their radar in a non-intrusive way and helps build rapport before your next direct outreach.
-
I agree social media is a good way to connect and staying in touch, and try to keep a personal interest by showing interest in the person and what they are doing or commenting. Also try not to immediately go into selling mode; I find comments and messages from followers/connections that immediately go into a business offering a complete turnoff, whereas if I feel there is an established personal connection the potential to be interested in the business is higher.
-
Take a picture with people you meet. Send a message on LinkedIn or email them with a photo. They will never forget you. Or you can make a photo to a postcard. Ask for a postal address and mail it to them. They will keep it forever ❤️🧠 It's all about keeping the connection alive. It's our job to be memorable it's not other people's job to remember us.
-
A little more research about the person and how it can be of mutual benefit. Followed by LinkedIn request with custom message not a generic. WhatsApp/call/f2f in that sequence can follow if you see immediate value.
-
One creative way to follow up after a networking event is by sending a personalized message accompanied by a picture of both of you, perhaps a selfie taken during the event. Express gratitude for the insightful conversation and suggest a follow-up meeting, such as lunch or further discussion. Another effective tactic, especially if the person was a speaker at the event, is to write a post on LinkedIn summarizing their speech with personal insights and reflections. Sharing this post not only reinforces the connection but also promotes mutual engagement on social media platforms.
-
After networking, personalize follow-up, referencing specific conversations or topics to show genuine interest. Offer mutual value by suggesting collaboration opportunities or sharing resources that align with discussed interests. Hosting related events or webinars can further solidify connections. Utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter for ongoing engagement. Interact with their content regularly by liking, commenting, or sharing, demonstrating continued interest, and building rapport before initiating direct outreach. This approach solidifies stronger professional relationships and increases the likelihood of fruitful collaborations.
-
If you have had a conversation with someone at the event, find them on social media and send them a connection request or follow them. Personalised message would make this interaction even better. For example, say - "Hello (Name), It was great meeting you at the (Event). I enjoyed our discussion about (common topic). Would love to keep in touch."
-
After each conference, I follow up with the attendees I met via LinkedIn. What I pose is the top 3 highlights of the conference or a particular comment from a speaker or a personal recollection of our conversation. I end with a recommendation for a virtual or in-person follow up discussion.
-
First off, use the LinkedIn QR code for your profile to connect with the person, make sure you still personalize the invite so you remember how, when & where you met them. Afterwards, send them a follow up video message via LinkedIn messenger to schedule an in-person meeting or video meeting. Capture that in picture form for in-person of screen capture for video meeting and post on line to show the power of in-person and virtual networking!
-
Be smart when sending a request on any social media platform. Understand the person better. What kind of content they post and engage with. What's the frequency of usage, etc. And when you ask for the connect, be very specific on the REASON to do so. Don't say 'i met you at the event ' . Most important, show what VALUE you can offer them
-
I usually connect with fellow professionals using the LinkedIn scan page, while I am at a networking event. That way we can interact on LinkedIn immediately and use it to follow up with connections.
One effective way to follow up is to offer something of value. This could be an article, a free tool, or an introduction to someone in your network who can help with a challenge they mentioned. Providing value upfront can set the stage for a mutually beneficial relationship and shows that you're interested in more than just what you can gain from them.
-
Become a Value Giver: Use the psychology of reciprocation but without expecting anything. Offer something valuable: an insightful article, a free industry tool, or an intro to someone in your network who can address their needs. This generosity shows you're interested in building a long-term connection, not just a one-time interaction.
-
Offering value is key while following up as it adds a personal touch by letting the other person know that you valued their conversation and thought about it at a later time. Sharing news articles, images, or other relevant information based off the conversation also lets them know you are invested in the topic of conversation. This will make them take you more seriously.
-
Excellent service is key to any business's success. It's the foundation of customer retention, while persistence drives sales. Service entails: *Active listening and empathy for the customer. Solving problems clearly and honestly. *Knowing when to say "no" and asking questions without fear. *Making the customer understand they're not always right. *Transmitting a positive attitude and commitment. These values are a solid foundation for any project or proposal, increasing the chances of success and customer loyalty.
-
Utilize the principle of reciprocation without any immediate expectations. Extend something of worth, whether it's an enlightening article, a complimentary industry tool, or an introduction to a contact who can assist them. This act of generosity demonstrates your commitment to forging a lasting relationship, rather than seeking only a fleeting exchange.
-
Be a giver, not a taker. This is the stage where you need to show that feature. Spice up LinkedIn by sharing valuable content, engaging in lively discussions, showcasing your expertise with quirky posts, and connecting others with exciting opportunities.
-
If you just send a photo and that it is - over time people will not start to read your comments any more. If you always do the same comment - people will start to ignore you as well. This is because the audience is not interested in you, but in the value you provide to your network. So, instead of just telling us you had a good time, tell us what (not who) you learned about. Give us something our mind can work with, pushes us forward. Same applies to other social media interaction. Don't repost but add a comment, start a discussion. A like/image/repost is less worth then a few words.
-
While the quest would be to stay at the Top of Mind Recall ( ToMR), follow up with value based connect simply allows you to stay relevant with a reason. It brings you to the conversation, not a a drag-on, but as a add-on. Sharing relevant, current and consumable excerpts, reports, case studies, white papers is a good way to say a meaningful Hello. ( Note: no point raising your hand to be just counted)
-
Following a networking event, offering value in your follow-up is key. Suggest a piece of content or a tool that addresses a topic you discussed. Invite them to a relevant workshop or webinar you’re hosting or know of. Propose a mutual introduction to someone in your network who can provide further insight or assistance in their area of interest. This approach not only strengthens your new connection but also demonstrates your commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.
-
I always recommend to use an individual approach to each and every client and lead you may have. Find out how you can make your offer valuable. What is exactly the client/partner may need? Dig into it, additional research is always helpful. Solving some of the “pains” for your clients will make you valuable.
-
Offered value can also be to show a path, or further steps to be done. It will make the steps for all the participant easier, as they will understand the wrap-up after the meeting, and they clearly notice the "call-for-action", which will be appreciated, as it saves their time later on.
Consider hosting your own event and invite your new connections to attend. This could be a casual coffee meet-up, a webinar, or a roundtable discussion. Hosting an event gives you the opportunity to continue building relationships in a setting that you control, and it also positions you as an industry leader or connector.
-
Send a selfie video message to your new contact, prospect or friend continuing the conversation. It's a nice friendly, but personal and professional touch.
-
Reaching out within the first 48 hours after a networking event shows your initiative. This interest in building a valuable connection can make you stand out from the crowd. Craft an email that references a specific detail from your conversation at the event, or share a relevant industry resource they might find helpful. Consider offering a brief consultation related to your expertise, depending on the sensitivity of the subject. The second important thing is connecting on professional platforms such as LinkedIn is a big boost to professional and personal connections. Building value is key. Hence you could accomplish that by offering to help them with specific projects in your area of expertises.
-
Hosting an event is a very large blank canvas to paint. An event can be classified in many ways. *Meeting 1-2-1 at a convenient location date or time. *Setting up meetings for your prospect with other people. *Referring / bringing some people from your own network to meet the new prospect as that shows faith and builds confidence. This will also prompt your prospective to reciprocate in a similar manner.
-
Hosting allows you to shape the agenda while demonstrating expertise. With proper planning and execution, it can be an excellent way to grow your professional network.
-
There is no better follow-up of an event than having another event. Taking the opportunity for creating a tradition after successful first event is an excellent success. This will then help you to strenghten the relationships on a regular basis and create more and more opportunities for mutual business growth. The best way: after an event = before an event.
-
Hosting a event can be of mutual benefit, and extending the circle for benefit of large. It can extend privilege to the collaboration and certainly expresses the value the connection can bring in.
-
A second event is the best way to follow up on an event. It is a great success to seize the chance to establish a tradition following a triumphant inaugural event. As a result, you will be able to consistently strengthen your relationships and open up more and more doors for mutual business growth.
-
Personally, hosting an event is a great way of building long term relationship but it works best if there is a topic for that event, then participants know beforehand what to expect. A lot more efficient. Need to be regular and do not have to be about your industry.
-
Organize a small gathering or virtual meetup. Invite the people you met to continue the conversation in a more relaxed setting.
In a digital world, receiving a handwritten note can make a big impression. Take the time to send a thank-you card or a personalized letter expressing your appreciation for their time and the conversation you had. It's an unexpected gesture that can set you apart and make your follow-up memorable.
-
Think about handwritten correspondence you've received and how it made you feel. Think about the things that person said that gave you positive vibes and use it! Don't use snail mail if you have sloppy handwriting that requires a decoder link though.
-
I truly believe in the hand written thank you card or note ,as it’s far more personal than a cold email and shows you value that person , great way to continue a business relationship.
-
Surprise them with a handwritten note or a small gift. It stands out in today’s digital age. Be creative while doing so, sometimes effort pays off.
-
In today’s world of email and messaging - it is clear that a lot of emails get deleted without ever being opened. Some people even use smart filters to ensure these emails do not even show up in the inbox. Snail mail on the other hand will definitely arrive on their ‘desktop’. They will definitely open it and if it is a hand written card etc then it’s bound to evince a response which could lead to some engagement. Snail mail may be slow but very effective. Highly recommended!
-
Receiving snail mail from a partner is always memorable. From my experience, sending actual letters and personalized gifts to the clients always results in their appreciation and contributes to the development of a good partnership. Be creative and personalize your letters. Set reminders for the public holidays, so your letter would arrive on time. Come up with an eye-catching design and a unique congratulation.
-
A personal note is very impressive and draws attention. I always try to personalise my emails. In a very digital world we should mind not to loose the personal touch.
-
In the age of digital technology, a handwritten note is unique. Express your appreciation for their time and conversation with a handwritten note or card. Your follow-up is memorable and unique because of this unplanned gesture. I remember the day when I got appreciated when I was a developer in the organization and I guess it was my second day when the HR gave everyone a task where everyone should give a compliment to a random teammate whom they like or a positive gesture, or professionalism. That time I won that task and I was very happy. It was a memorable day for me. So I believe, appreciation makes a positive impact.
-
While traditional mail may seem outdated, it can still be an effective way to stand out and make a lasting impression. Sending personalized thank you notes or follow-up letters to potential clients after meetings or events can help keep your company top of mind. Additionally, sending physical samples or promotional materials can help showcase your products or services in a tangible way.
-
Multimedia content, such as videos, infographics, or podcasts, can help make your messaging more engaging and memorable. Creating informative and visually appealing content that highlights your company's offerings can help capture the attention of potential clients and differentiate you from competitors. Additionally, using multimedia in presentations or sales pitches can help effectively communicate your value proposition and showcase your expertise.
-
Indeed, amidst the hustle & bustle of modern life, receiving a handwritten note in the mail is a rare and cherished experience. If you can finally do that, it'll help the receiver gain a better understanding of what sort of person you are. Overall, a personal touch in follow-up communication can evoke positive psychological responses, leading to enhanced relationships. When individuals receive personalized follow-up, this could lead to increased engagement or even a willingness to further collaborate or maintain the relationship. Additionally, it conveys a sense of importance and value to the recipient. This can trigger feelings of appreciation, positively influencing their perception of you and potentially strengthening the relationship.
Finally, consider sending a video or voice message as your follow-up. This can be more engaging than a standard email and adds a personal touch that text alone cannot convey. Make sure your message is concise and professional, while still showcasing your personality and enthusiasm for staying connected.
-
First, it's important to consider the preferences and comfort levels of the recipient when choosing the method of follow-up communication. Thus, take it into account and consider before sending if it's the right way to follow up. Remember: expressing yourself through your tone of voice, choice of words, and the topics you discuss can all play a significant role in how the receiver perceives and responds to you. Your tone of voice and the topics you choose to discuss can also convey your personality, interests, and values, allowing the receiver to get to know you better and potentially develop a liking or affinity towards you or your company.
-
After a networking event connecting on social media, can increase your chances of meeting again, and learning from what is your new connection doing. Many times you can share common interests and many people share this interest in their feed. Showing your support by reading or commenting on their post can spark new conversations with them, in future encounters.
-
Following an event, we can effectively enhance our relationship-building efforts and set ourselves apart from competitors by sending brief, personalized videos to our customers. We can boost our communication's efficacy and efficiency while giving customers an unforgettable and significant experience by utilizing the Drift Video tool.
-
Utilization of Multimedia plays a pivotal role in nurturing rapport with the attendees by sending a video on the top 5-10 takeaways or highlights of the event and voice message to convey gratitude for their invaluable contribution to the part of success of event.
-
We have seen a lateral shift in people trying to record videos and post these. With due regards most are too long to keep the audience occupied till the end. In my opinion the attention span for good video content is between 30-40 seconds. Therefore the content has to be exceptional. Then there has to be some amount of repetitive performance. Just posting one off video is best not done. The video content has to be such that people await your next video. Remember ‘KONTENT IS KING’ 🤴
-
Create a short video message thanking them for their time. Share it via email or social media. Connect with your new contacts on LinkedIn or other professional platforms. Share relevant content, comment on their posts, and engage in meaningful conversations.
-
Utilizing multimedia in your follow-up can make your message more engaging and memorable. Instead of just sending a text-based email, consider including images, videos, or audio clips to enhance your communication. For example, you could create a short video thanking the person for their time at the event and summarizing key points from your conversation. Or, you could send a visually appealing infographic or presentation that highlights your expertise or a topic of interest. By using multimedia, you can capture attention and convey information in a more dynamic and interactive way, which can help strengthen your connection with the recipient.
-
After the event, think of a medium or a platform where most of the attendees can be access, share the event or excepts, mostly motions or most creative shots or scenarios and ask rhetorical questions. If you had played an outstanding role in the event where your name was mentioned, you can reintroduce yourself, else a group snap shots of the attendees and you can do the magic.
-
Create a Digital Resource: If you have expertise in an area they're interested in, create a digital resource (e.g., an ebook, checklist, or webinar) and offer it to them.
-
After the event, expand your network by connecting on LinkedIn. Create post event recaps as content, articles and even follow-on events. Personalize your follow-ups with individuals and introduce them to others. After meeting, connect quickly. But not so quick that it’s creepy! Your follow-up should be personal and human, incorporating something you discussed while meeting.
-
- Do not send mass emailers especially keeping them in BCC - Do not send emails generated by AI engines - Keep email as short as 3-4 liners. - Try to get an appointment by giving a reference to your meeting, let them recognise you. - Keep on following them up periodically (once in a month) - Send them a corporate gift - Try to catch them up in person
-
Exchange contact or linked in. Sending personal message, to thank your new network how much you enjoyed the conversation earlier, offer to catch up for a coffee or lunch for friendship.
-
- Lead your follow up with a "zero dollar conversation". Remind the target that you had a human to human connection that goes beyond business. People like to do business with people they connect with on a personal level.
-
Always remember something they said and lead with it. This relies on your original conversation being creative and collating personal details.
-
I think networking starts some time before the networking event. 1.) Identify the right people you are interested in and you might can meet during the upcoming networking event. 2.) Create attention for youself and your business/company/project where they can be interested in and see their value. (E.g. Social Media Posts) 3.) See how their reaction is on that networking event when they see you. Your current feeling will help you to decide to make the first step or to wait and let them do the first step. 4.) Follow Up after the event.
-
During the Great Recession, an outplacement counselor taught me the concept of "the dead mouse." It sounds disgusting, but when cats want something from their owner, they present a dead mouse, as they are programmed to offer up something in hopes of a return favor. While I don't espouse presenting an actual dead mouse, providing something of value to a potential network connection -- maybe one you know will be at an event you're attending -- before even connecting with them can go a long way to building that connection, and ultimately, your network.
-
Here's what else to consider: - Respond promptly while the event is still fresh in their minds to maximize the impact of your outreach. - Be mindful of their time and preferences when choosing how and how often to follow up. - Keep nurturing the relationship beyond the initial follow-up by staying in touch and offering support or collaboration when relevant. By incorporating these approaches into your follow-up strategy, you can effectively build and strengthen connections made at networking events.
-
Personalized Email: Send a thoughtful email referencing your conversation and expressing interest in further discussion. LinkedIn Connection: Connect on LinkedIn with a personalized message reminding them of your meeting. Handwritten Note: Stand out by sending a handwritten note expressing gratitude for their time and interest. Invite to Coffee: Propose a follow-up meeting over coffee to delve deeper into discussed topics. Share Relevant Content: Send articles or resources related to your conversation to add value to your interaction.
-
*LinkedIn for professional updates, Twitter for industry news sharing, and a personal email address for more casual communication. *Share a relevant article or industry report related to their work. *Connect them with someone who can benefit them based on their needs. *Send a quick note congratulating them on a promotion or publication. *Schedule a quarterly catch-up call to maintain a connection and explore collaboration opportunities. By personalizing your approach and offering genuine value, you can build stronger, long-lasting relationships with your networking contacts.
Rate this article
More relevant reading
-
Marketing OperationsWhat do you do if you want to nurture relationships after marketing networking events?
-
Business DevelopmentHow do you effectively follow up after a networking event?
-
HR OperationsWhat are some effective ways to follow up after a networking event?
-
Project CoordinationWhat do you do if you want to maximize your follow-up efforts after networking events?