Follow up techniques

Anyone who plays or watches rugby will be well aware of the phrase “A Kick is only as good as the chase” Its just like that in Networking.

You put in the hard work and get up with the Cock-Crow, drive you the venue, swap cards with people, have conversation, present your 60 seconds and then? Nothing, Nada, not a whisper

Funny world go to all that trouble and no one gets back to you.

I’m not sure exactly why that happens but I believe it is down to the members believing that the visitor should do all the work. And all to often the visitor not fully grasping the facts that they are expected to put the work into network.

Networking is similar in lots of ways, the follow up is vital. This can be as simple as a quick email saying thanks for the hospitality and looking forward to next time. You can be more informative and add something about what you do and if you think there is a potential connection add some links y=that you think will be helpful to them. But Follow up you must.

The recipient is more likely to remember you, think of your products and services. You are more likely to enter into a discussion with them. There is a greater possibility mutual business will develop quickly

The follow up is one of the cornerstones to effective networking use it.

Not sure how many of you sell as part of your business activity, but when a survey asked people why they didn’t buy the products or services offered replied. “I was never asked if I wanted to buy them” Staggering

If you regularly follow up you will be different to most of the people that regularly spend time networking. Make sure you invest your time and meet up with the people you really connect with and start building a mutually beneficial business relationship

Networking Gold. I have a signature set up in Outlook that I use for this, so all I have to do is type an email address and add their name into the mail. Hey Presto I have sent a follow up in less than 30 seconds, how hard is that?

Paul

Helping Real People do Real Business Through Real Networking