
You just made a great connection at a networking event. You feel that ‘burden to meet someone’ lift from your shoulders and decide to relax with a drink at the bar. On your way over you realize, I have no reason to contact this person again. How am I going to follow up? Don’t panic. You can still save the connection and build a solid relationship with a series of ‘light touches.’ This helps you to stay in someone’s mind without (literally) being in their face. Here are a few touch points to try:
— They mentioned an upcoming work event, client meeting, training, conference, workshop, event: send an email asking how the event went.
— Their alma mater or favorite sports team won an important game: congratulate them.
— They have an upcoming vacation or staycation/In the process of choosing vacation destination: send a recommendation or a link to an article you found on the destination.
— They are battling an illness/aiding a sick parent, spouse, friend, child: check in and send wishes for a speedy recovery.
— They have a new baby/new baby on the way/found out if they were having a boy or a girl: congratulate them and offer some nice memories of your own if you are a parent. Be careful with the advice here – they are getting a lot of it.
— It is their birthday/child’s birthday/attending or throwing a birthday party: Ask how it went.
Forgot to jot down the details of your conversation? Here are some additional follow-ups to effectively (but not annoyingly) stay on someone’s radar:
— Create connections for the person by introducing them to a vendor who can help them or a potential client
— Invite or let them know about upcoming events they might enjoy or benefit from
— Send your regards through a mutual friend
— Congratulate them (on a job promotion, securing a new client, etc). By the way, an easy way to stay on top of news regarding your contacts is a service called Newsle. Newsle sends you a message whenever someone you have set up an alert for is mentioned in the press.
Before we leave this post, I want to quickly touch upon one final topic – how to keep track of your contacts’ details. One trick I use is after I have had a conversation with someone, I quickly jot down a few key points from the conversation on the back of their business card (if I am at an event) or in a notebook if I met the person for lunch or at a meeting. Click to tweet Then, I transfer these notes to their ‘contact’ in my computer when I get back to my office.
Hello Michelle,
I think the lesson here is to really care more than the professional side of the relationship and try to create long lasting relationships.
Thank you for the tips.
You are spot on. Long term is the way to think.