Episodes

The final episode of the three-part series on how to get back to in-person networking after Covid is about what to do after the event to stay top of mind with your connections. Once the event is over and you’ve accomplished your networking goals, you may think all the work is done, but it’s really just started. I talk about how to follow up after a networking event, how to stay top of mind with your network, and why not every connection is meant to work out. I also cover the one key part about networking: that it’s about building relationships over time. You won’t want to miss this episode! (Check out my list of upcoming events in Toronto in the show notes.)

Show Transcript

INTRO

The event is over and you’ve accomplished your networking goals. You may think all the work is done, but it’s really just started. Networking is all about relationship-building, which doesn’t happen from a one-off evening. 

How to Follow Up After a Networking Event

Here’s what to do after an event: follow up with an email 24 hours after you met the person. The email should say something like, it was great to meet you at X event. I loved hearing your story about X (include what you jotted down from the conversation). And anything else that was relevant. Did you offer to help in any way? Mention that. Don’t send out a copy/paste email to all the people you met. Make it personal and specific. 

If there is something you think that person could help you with, don’t be afraid to ask for it in your email. Women especially are afraid to ask for what they want for fear of seeming selfish (men have no problem with this!), but as long as it’s done in a genuine way, people will generally be happy to help. 

You can also follow the person on social media, on Twitter or Instagram, but most importantly, connect with them on LinkedIn. This is why making sure your profile is up-to-date before the event is so important. Similar to your follow-up email, you can add a private message when sending a connection request so they remember who you are. 

You may consider investing in a Customer Relationship Management system where you can log details of your meeting and set a time to follow up. A few CRMs I like are: 1. Streak, which integrates directly with Gmail. If you set up a connection on a pipeline, it will send you a reminder to check-in with them. 2. Copper or Insightly are also great but a bit more expensive. 

If that’s too sophisticated, a simple excel spreadsheet will do to keep track. I know many successful networkers who still use excel. LinkedIn also offers free tools for keeping contacts top of mind. It’s always best to find a system that works best for you so you will actually use it. 

How to Stay Top of Mind with Your Network

Everyone is so busy with their own lives that it’s hard for people to remember you. That’s why you need to do the work to stay top of their mind. A few ways to do this would be to like, comment, or share something they post on social media. There are people in my network who always show support on my posts, and it makes me want to support them in return. 

If you see it’s their birthday, send a message or even a physical card in the mail, which shows you’ve gone above and beyond to make the extra effort. You may think this is silly, but as Financial Fitness Educator, Coach, and Podcaster who was also a guest on my show, Tracey Bissett said, “You need to get over that.” It’s a small but meaningful act that can go a long way to nurture a relationship. You can also stay in touch over shared interests like sending the person an article they might find interesting or information about an event they may like to attend. 

You could also ask them to meet for coffee, lunch, or breakfast. You’d be surprised how many C-Suite people are more likely to accept a breakfast invitation over lunch. It is less common, but it’s actually one of my favourite ways to connect because you have the person’s undivided attention before their day gets busy. One of my favourite spots is Over Easy, right in the financial district. It’s packed with business people at 7a.m., so it has a great buzz about it. 

Why Not Every Connection is Meant to Work Out 

It’s also important to remember that not all connections are meant to work out. Some people may even ghost you, take ages to reply, or simply say they can’t meet up. Try not to take it personally if this happens. I guarantee they are just busy or have something going on in their life. It’s almost never about you. 

Lastly, it’s okay if you don’t want to follow up with everyone you meet at a networking event. Sometimes, you just don’t feel a connection. Marguerite Orane, expert on Leading, Living, and Working with Joy, and previous guest on my podcast, says that it’s crucial to connect with people who bring you joy. It shouldn’t feel like it’s forced or causing you more stress. When we network from a genuine, authentic place, it will lead to more lasting relationships. 

Final Tips for In-Person Networking Events

I can’t repeat it enough: networking is all about building relationships. The best way to approach in-person networking is to have a goal but no expectations. Don’t expect to get business or an opportunity that suddenly changes your entire life. It could happen like that, but it’s very rare. It’s much more likely for something to happen slowly over months, or even years. Maybe your connection will introduce you to someone else who will then have an impact on your life. And sometimes, nothing will ever come from a connection. 

Keep showing up and don’t get discouraged. It takes practice and consistency to see the results. Networking is like a muscle: you need to exercise repeatedly to get in shape. And I know a lot of us are probably out of networking shape.

I hope you enjoyed this three-part series on in-person networking in this post-covid world. Don’t forget to check out my list of upcoming events in Toronto in the show notes, and I hope to see you in-person soon!

Thanks for tuning in to Connect and Bloom — a podcast that empowers women to master the art of networking and make life-changing connections. Got a burning question about networking? Share it below, or shoot me an email at despina@connectandbloom.com If you want to explore this topic further, head on over to the Connect and Bloom website, follow me on Instagram or Facebook, or — if you haven’t already — subscribe to this podcast. Be sure to connect ~ and bloom ~ with me again in our next episode!