After Events
Networking only begins at the networking event. There are plenty of ways to build on the connections you have established. Here are eight of them:
- Put their contact info into your CRM (customer Relationship Management) system, with a follow-up date and a note of that person’s interests.
- Go out of your way to set up additional networking opportunities such as a one-on-one meeting over coffee.
- Send personalized, hand-written “Thank You” notes with specific comments regarding your interaction.
- Use social media: add them on LinkedIn, follow them on Twitter and Instagram, or friend them on Facebook. Make contact by sending them an article or a link to a YouTube video relevant to their interests.
- Create a Google Alert for their name: You can find out what’s newsworthy about them, and you can acknowledge and notify them when you see something.
- Invite them to events at which you are speaking: Or attend an event where they may be speaking.
- Give them a referral, or introduce them to someone who can benefit them.
- If they were helpful to you or helped you secure a new client, you could send them a small, thoughtful gift such as a book.
