Networking Know How - 4 Follow Up Tips After the Event

#1 - Don't delay following up after meeting someone at a networking event. If the individual is a prospective client for you, they are likely a prospective client for your competition as well. It's essential to follow-up when the interaction is fresh to help reinforce your desire to establish a lasting professional relationship.

#2 - Plan and schedule your follow-up communication in advance. Following up after a networking event is where real connections are built, and using online planning and scheduling tools can make all the difference. These tools help you stay consistent, timely, and professional without relying on memory or last-minute effort. Planning your follow-up communication ahead of time not only saves you stress but also signals reliability and intention—two qualities that turn brief introductions into lasting professional relationships.

#3 - Set a time and place to meet IRL. By suggesting a concrete next step—such as coffee or a lunch meeting—you create momentum and accountability, making it far more likely the connection will lead to real collaboration or opportunity. Face-to-face interactions also build trust faster, turning a brief introduction into a stronger, more memorable professional bond.

#4 - Remember to focus on them. Make each contact you have focused on the individual and their needs, rather than on you. When you listen actively, ask thoughtful questions, and show genuine curiosity, you build rapport and trust far more quickly than by listing your own accomplishments. People remember how you made them feel, not what you said. By understanding what matters to the other person and looking for ways to add value, you create more authentic, mutually beneficial relationships that are far more likely to last.

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