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You Need To Follow-Up After A Networking Event

Networking is important for the success of our business, sales goals, and even personal relationships. Meeting people and building a rapport with them can lead to other introductions and referrals. But what should you do after a networking event to increase the odds of meeting your goals?

Years ago, I would go to a networking event and hand out business cards like I was dealing poker. People would be polite and say "thank you" with an occasional "I'll give you a call". Of course, they did not call. Disappointed, I would question why I should bother and ask myself how this was working for other people.

A coworker explained that I needed to be more proactive. Instead of handing out my cards (which are not cheap, by the way), I should be collecting cards from others, and following up on my own. This worked and I was soon booking appointments and getting some traction.

Recently, I had Dorien Morin-Van Dam, host of the Strategy Talks podcast (a great listen) and we talked about the importance of follow-up. Her advice for networking, especially for larger events like conferences, was excellent and here are a few takeaways.

  1. Look for people who are not talking with anyone. Nobody goes to an event to be a wallflower. Walk up to them and introduce yourself.
  2. Ask if you can take a picture with them. Include their badge or name tag so you can remember who they are and what organization they are with.
  3. When you return home, connect with your new contacts online immediately. Connections, like referrals, are like fish. After a few days they can "go bad".
Dorien shared more great tips, which are on my podcast, but here's a short clip to give you a sense of our talk. 



Remember, networking isn't about getting a sale. The true goal is to build relationships that can lead to referrals down the road. Try these tips out and please subscribe to our podcast and share with a friend. 

Chris Castanes is a humorous speaker who helps sales people succeed through workshops and humorous presentations. His new book, "Nearly Motivated" is available on Amazon. For booking information, click here. His new podcast, "You're Going To Be Great At This!" is available on most platforms.  He's also the president of Surf Financial Brokers selling life and disability insurance in several states.

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