How to Handle Networking Follow-Ups

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep in touch with a mentor or follow up after a networking call, this might be the only guide you'll ever need. 👇🏾 One of the most common questions I get is, "How should I follow up after a networking call?" Here's the playbook: 1️⃣ Say "Thank You" This is a non-negotiable. Pro tip? Do it fast, have some class, don't make asks. ✨ Translation? ↳ Same day, ideally within 60 minutes. ↳ Be specific, concise, and genuine. ↳ Don't ask any questions or for any favors. ↳ Bonus: Use a loom video to make it personal and unforgettable. (it's the "handwritten card" of 2025). 2️⃣ Close the Loop Have you heard of the 99/1 phenomenon? ↳ 99% of the time you have a coffee chat, the other person will mention a book, article, person, or resource to leverage. ↳ Only 1% will do something with this info. 💡 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 1% 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆. 3️⃣ Add Value You can: ↳ Find out what lights them up and help them accelerate toward it ↳ Find out what keeps them up at night and present a solution to it ↳ Amplify their work ↳ Celebrate their milestones ↳ Aggregate existing data or create new data Ultimately, the secret here is no secret at all. Offering real value demonstrates character and builds relational capital. 💰 And you need to have something in the bank before you make a withdrawal. 4️⃣ Give A (Non-Invasive) Update People 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 to see stories of growth. But people 𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬 to be a part of someone else's growth story. So, what can you do? Share a quick update on your recent wins or progress. Pro tip: ↳ Keep it relevant and concise. ↳ Tie it back to their investment in you, if relevant. 5️⃣ Make An Ask This comes last for a reason. ↳ Only make an ask after you’ve provided value. ↳ Timing and reciprocity are everything. ↳ When you're done, you're back to #1. Rinse and repeat. ---- Great follow-ups aren’t about pestering—they’re about adding value, showing you care, and staying unforgettable. Master these tactics and watch your relationships transform, forever. 🌱 What’s your favorite follow-up move that I forgot? Drop it below! 👇🏾 ---------------- ♻️ Repost to finally give the blueprint to active job seekers and networkers in your community! 🔔 Follow 🔥 Chauncey Nartey, SHRM-SCP, ACC to stay on the cutting edge of modern career wisdom.

>>>𝗡𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝘂𝗽? 𝗡𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽. That’s the rule I’ve set for myself after too many missed connections at great events. You know the drill: → You leave a room buzzing with ideas, names, and conversations. → You promise to stay in touch. → Then real life kicks in—and the momentum disappears. I’ve learned this the hard way. Now, I don’t attend unless I’m ready to do the follow-up work too. Now I'm trying something new: → I teamed up with an accountability partner to debrief post-event. (Thanks Elina!) → We share notes, fill in gaps, and add next steps. → That accountability makes a huge difference. I’ve also added two tactics that make a real impact: → Book follow-up meetings on the spot. If the convo’s going well, lock in a next step before you part ways. → Post your takeaways publicly. Share a few insights or reflections from the event. It signals value and helps people reconnect. If you're not using a CRM, here’s my simple follow-up playbook: → Input all the people you've met in a spreadsheet. → Use LinkedIn as your mini-CRM. Be very specific in a DM how and when you met. → Personalize your connection requests or your 1st DM. Mention the event. Reference your chat. Two lines are enough. → Follow up while it’s still fresh. Send the article, make the intro, or just say “great meeting you.” → Engage publicly. Comment on their latest post. Like something they shared. Stay visible. → Make your profile do the heavy lifting. Clear headline. Updated summary. Recent post. Your profile should reinforce the connection. IRL is just the spark. What you do after—that’s what turns a name tag into a relationship. What’s your follow-up system look like? Photos from Tuesday event at Technology Park Ljubljana where we talked about dos and don'ts of opening new markets.

I loved what Ian shared in this CNA commentary. Some really pertinent and accurate observations. However, there was one recommended suggestion that I personally struggle with: 'connect with users directly and ask them out for coffee.' ☕ 👩🏫 As someone who teaches final-year grad students (& post-grad students and working adults) about professional networking — covering situational awareness, conversation skills, and follow-up etiquette — I’ve shifted my approach somewhat in the last 18 years. A decade ago, I encouraged 'coffee meetings' as a way to connect. 💡 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐈 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬. 𝐖𝐡𝐲? 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. My email inbox (both LinkedIn and work) fills weekly with kind coffee invites. If volume equaled consumption, I’d need five cups a day!!!! ❤️ 𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫: I deeply value helping others — it’s why I teach, mentor mothers, and run a social enterprise. But like many professionals juggling work, family, and commitments, scheduling 1:1 chats is often unrealistic. 📝 𝐀 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆’𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒕. 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈. When reaching out, consider these alternatives: 1️⃣ 𝐀𝐜𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: Explicitly say "I know you’re busy" or "Zero pressure to respond." 2️⃣ 𝐁𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜: Vague requests = higher mental load. State exactly what you want (e.g., "15 mins," "2-3 ideas on how to reach out to the sustainability industry"). 3️⃣ 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐭: "If this isn’t a good time, I completely understand!" 4️⃣ 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞: Offer help, resources, or genuine appreciation 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 5️⃣ 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦: Suggest text/voice/email instead of live chat/ coffee meeting (𝘔𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦!!!) ⏳ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭: We’re asking for someone’s time and insight—𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫. How we frame it matters. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖?

Most seller-experts freeze up at follow-up. Not because they don’t know what to do. Because they're afraid.. "What if I'm bothering them?" That fear has quietly killed more deals than bad pricing ever could. Here’s what I’ve learned after 20+ years: Silence doesn’t feel respectful. It feels like abandonment. When you go quiet, clients often assume: ❌ You found something better ❌ You weren’t that interested ❌ You’ve already moved on Meanwhile, the data reminds us: ➟ 80% of sales need five or more follow-ups ➟ 44% of professionals stop after just one Your competitor? Still showing up. The truth is, being strategically helpful is never annoying. But going dark usually is. Here are 7 follow-up moves that add value instead of noise: 1/ Share a Fresh Insight “Saw how [competitor] tackled [specific challenge]. Three smart ideas you could borrow...” 2/ Ask a Sharp Question “How’s [initiative] progressing since we last spoke?” 3/ Highlight a Win “Just helped [company] cut [metric] by 30%. The surprising unlock? [insightful tactic].” 4/ Offer a No-Pressure Give “I’ve got 15 mins Thursday. Want to see what worked for [peer org]?” 5/ Reconnect Through a Connector “[Mutual contact] mentioned you’re focused on X. I know someone who cracked that. Want an intro?” 6/ Use a Trigger Event “Saw the [trigger] news. 3 competitors noticed too. Here’s what they might miss.” 7/ Close with Clarity and Warmth “Sounds like Q4 is tight. I’ll check back Jan 15 when you’re planning next year. Sound good?” Every follow-up is a choice. Be forgotten. Or be invaluable. Your prospects are juggling more than ever. They need what you have. But they won’t chase you for it. So pick one stalled opportunity. Make one thoughtful move. Today. Because while others are hesitating, you’re building trust. It’s always your move. Share this to help someone in your network.

I attended my first conference, made some interesting connections, and collected their business cards (LI wasn’t a thing yet). Back in the office, I placed the cards on my desk to send follow-up emails… And got busy. Of course, I forgot all about the follow-up. Until I opened a (hardly ever used) desk drawer 8 months later and saw those business cards. Oops. Most lawyers waste their networking efforts (like I did back then) because they don’t do the ONE thing that matters most: Follow-up. This is you, even if you send that initial email and vanish thereafter (or give up after only a few touches). You need more - much more - to make networking work for you. Follow up: ➡️ Not just once (or twice or three times). ➡️ Not just when you feel like it or “have” the time. ➡️ Not just to vaguely check in. Why do so many lawyers drop the ball? Here’s what I often hear: - Too busy. - Wanting to find the “right” time. - It’s been too long to re-engage. These aren’t the real reasons. The simple truth? You aren’t prioritizing follow-up. But not because you’re trying to avoid it (on purpose). If you’re like most lawyers, it’s because: ⇒ You worry about bothering them. ⇒ You don’t want to sound transactional or inauthentic. ⇒ You fear they won’t reciprocate. But you are NOT bothering them; you don't have to sound (or be) fake, transactional, or inauthentic; and they WILL reciprocate, IF you follow up properly. I’m talking about relevant, personal, intentional (i.e., strategic) follow-up. It's the rainmaker’s secret weapon. And what I (finally) changed that made all the difference for building my multi-million dollar book. So, what does this look like? >>> Send a WSJ article about their industry's new regulations with a note: “This reminded me of your challenge with X” >>> Three weeks after talking, send an email with: “How did the [deal] closing go? Did you ever [insert something specific that they were battling against when you last spoke]?” >>> Invite them to join you at an industry event with a note: “I remember you wanted to meet XXX. She will be there, and I am happy to introduce you.” What works best depends on: → What you know about them. → What’s going on in their world. → What you’ve already talked about. You don’t need to be clever or pushy. Just be strategic, helpful and human (and also, consistent!). XO, Heather ~~~ I’m Heather Moulder, a former BigLaw partner turned business coach who built a multi-million dollar law practice on my terms. Now I help lawyers grow 7-figure practices they actually enjoy. Want to do the same? Get my anti-hustle strategies inside Success Without Sacrifice, my weekly newsletter (link in profile).

My Guide to High-ROI Networking in 2026 (I Logged 2,345 Networking Activities in the Past 365 Days) Before anything else, let’s define terms. A “networking activity” is not: • Collecting LinkedIn connections • Spraying cold DMs • Awkward coffee chats with no follow-up A networking activity is: Any intentional interaction where a real relationship is built, strengthened, or advanced. That includes: • 1:1 calls • Thoughtful DMs • Reconnecting with former coworkers • Following up after a post or comment • Helping someone without expecting anything back Over the past year, I tracked 2,345 of these interactions. Not to flex…but to learn what actually compounds. Here’s what worked. And what I’ll keep doing in 2026. 1/ I optimized for trust, not reach ↳ I’d rather have 5 people who’d take my call instantly ↳ Than 500 who vaguely recognize my name ↳ Real opportunities come from warm relationships 2/ I treated follow-up as the real work ↳ Anyone can have a good call ↳ Very few people send the follow-up note, share the resource, or check back in ↳ That’s where trust compounds 3/ I never showed up without context ↳ “Would love to connect” is lazy ↳ I always anchored outreach in why: “Saw your post on X..:had a similar experience at Y” ↳ People respond to relevance, not volume 4/ I gave before I asked…every time ↳ Intros ↳ Feedback ↳ Sharing an opportunity ↳ Reviewing a resume ↳ Networking accelerates when it’s not transactional 5/ I stopped trying to be impressive ↳ No polished pitch ↳ No resume-walking ↳ Just curiosity and honesty ↳ “Here’s what I’m building” beats “Here’s why I’m great” 6/ I kept relationships alive between moments of need ↳ Promotions ↳ Job changes ↳ Big launches ↳ I checked in during the quiet times ↳ That’s when relationships become durable 7/ I tracked relationships…not just activities ↳ Who do I want to stay in touch with quarterly? ↳ Who do I owe a follow-up to? ↳ Who did I say I’d help? ↳ Organization turns networking into a system, not a scramble Here’s the biggest takeaway: High-ROI networking doesn’t feel like networking. It feels like being a decent, consistent human over time. That’s what I’ll keep doubling down on in 2026. 📬 I write weekly about careers, leverage, and long-term growth in The Weekly Sync: 👉 https://lnkd.in/e6qAwEFc What’s one relationship you should probably invest in before you need it?

Today I heard "Immediate follow up is easy. But how do I maintain connections long-term?" That’s where most of us struggle. We start so thoughtful, but then life gets busy, priorities shift, and before we know it, those once-promising connections start slipping through the cracks. So how can you keep your connections warm and meaningful over the long run without feeling awkward or forced? Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way: 1️⃣ Engage regularly (without spamming). Make it a habit to interact with your connections’ posts. Add meaningful comments - beyond just “Great post!” Start conversations by referencing their work, asking a question, or offering new perspectives. 2️⃣ Share value through DMs. If someone doesn’t post often, send them useful articles, podcast recommendations, or other resources you think they would enjoy. A quick, “This reminded me of our conversation” can make a lasting impression. 3️⃣ Be a connector. Introduce your contacts to others in your network. Helping people meet the right people strengthens your relationships and your reputation as someone who adds value. 4️⃣ Check in spontaneously. You don’t need an excuse to reconnect. Just drop a message: “I was thinking about our chat the other day. How’s everything going?” It keeps the relationship fresh without feeling transactional. And is very easy - so no more excuses! 💡 Bonus: If you’re managing multiple professional relationships, set calendar reminders to check in periodically. (Out of sight, out of mind is real!) The key is to show up consistently but thoughtfully. Your network doesn’t need to be big - just well-tended. How do you keep your professional connections alive over time? Let's help each other in the comments! 👇 #NetworkingTips #RelationshipBuilding #LongTermConnections #CareerGrowth #LinkedInTips #OnlineConnection #Networking #TEDxSpeaker

I just reviewed a follow up email that made me want to delete my LinkedIn account. After an incredible discovery call where the rep: → Uncovered $500K in annual losses → Identified specific pain points → Built genuine rapport with the prospect He sent this follow up: "Hi John, following up on our conversation. Any thoughts on next steps?" I'm not joking. That was the entire email. This rep went from trusted advisor to desperate vendor in one sentence. Here's what he should have sent instead: "John, Based on our conversation about the $500K you're losing annually due to deployment delays, I've put together a brief overview of how we've helped similar companies reduce this impact by 80%. Given the scope of this challenge, when can we get your CFO involved to discuss the business case? Best regards, [Rep name]" The difference is night and day: ❌ Weak follow up: "Any thoughts on next steps?" ✅ Strong follow up: References specific problem + demonstrates value + advances the sale Your follow up emails should sell, not beg. Every touchpoint is an opportunity to: → Reinforce the problems you uncovered → Show how you solve them → Move the deal forward Stop wasting these golden opportunities with generic, desperate sounding messages. Use what you learned in discovery to craft follow-ups that advance the sale. Your prospects are drowning in "just checking in" emails. Be the one who stands out by referencing real business impact. — Reps! Here’s 5 simple follow up strategies to close seals faster and to minimize ghosting: https://lnkd.in/gJRJwzsN

Biggest mistake I see sellers make that keeps them from hitting quota is this: 👉 dropping the ball with follow-up • New LinkedIn connection says “reach back out to me next month”.. • Prospect says “we won’t be looking at this until next quarter”.. • New referral says “send me some initial info and follow-up with me in a few weeks.” 👆 all of these, potential opportunities that sales pros cannot afford to let fall through the cracks (now more than ever). If you’re in sales, you know it isn’t an easy market out there at the moment. Every. Opportunity. Counts. Here’s the approach I use to make sure nothing slips and that I’m following up with every potential opportunity that comes my way: 1) enter all in our CRM with a posted date, my initials, & next steps (visibility for me & entire team) 2) schedule ALL follow-ups in calendar 📆(Gmail, Outlook, etc) vs. engagement platform (Apollo for example) that matches next steps documented in CRM 3) if I don’t reach the contact when I reach out, notate action taken (VM, sent email, etc) IN the calendar task under meeting notes & move calendar task to new day for next follow-up 4) follow-up months away, I schedule nurturing emails where I send relevant white papers, industry reports, or just an email saying “Hey, 👋🏻 have a great weekend” or “Happy Labor Day”, something personal, non-business related. I get asked.. “how long do you continue to follow-up?”.. If there’s interest expressed at the start, I’m following up until either: 1. I get that next call, next step scheduled or 2. I hear back letting me know there’s no further interest 👆and if you think this level of follow-up may be a waste of time.. I’ll leave you with this: I closed a $350K deal by consistently following up with a prospect that went silent on me for 4 months (story for another time). CTA - want more opportunities, more pipeline, more closed wins.. step-up your follow up game. #motivation #sales #coaching #followup

Want to know how networking got me leads worth ₹3,00,000? Here’s the thing: Networking is not about collecting connections like Pokémon cards. It’s about the follow-up. At TechSparks, I didn’t just shake hands and walk away. I followed up strategically, and here’s what made all the difference: 1. Personalized follow-up: A generic “nice to meet you” email? Nope. Each follow-up was tailored, referencing our conversation, shared interests, or how we could potentially collaborate. That made it personal and valuable for them, not just me. 2. Timing is key: Don’t wait for days or weeks. I reached out within 24 hours of meeting them. It showed I was serious about keeping the conversation going—and that I valued their time. 3. Be clear on the value you offer: I didn’t just follow up for the sake of it. I made it clear why continuing the conversation would benefit them, whether it was insights I could share or ways we could collaborate. 4. Stay consistent: One follow-up is great, but I didn’t stop there. I stayed in touch, continued the conversation, and nurtured those relationships over time. The result? 7 quality calls and leads worth ₹3,00,000—all because I didn’t let those connections go cold. Here’s the truth: Not every contact you make is going to convert into cash overnight. But the ones you nurture with genuine intent will strengthen your network and, eventually, your opportunities. Every email, every DM, every touchpoint is an investment in your future success. Pro tip: Follow up like you’re building a relationship, not closing a sale. That’s how you create value for both sides. 💡 If you want to know how I consistently turn networking into real business growth, let’s connect and talk about how I can help you do the same.