How do you follow up after meeting someone new?

2 Be timely

The second step is to follow up as soon as possible after the meeting. Ideally, you want to follow up within 24 hours, or at least within a week. This shows that you are interested, attentive, and reliable. It also helps you to stay fresh in the other person's mind and avoid being forgotten or ignored. If you wait too long, you might lose the opportunity to build rapport and trust with your new contact.

3 Be specific

The third step is to follow up with a specific and relevant message. Don't just send a generic "nice to meet you" or "let's keep in touch" email. Instead, remind the other person of who you are, what you talked about, and why you are following up. For example, you might mention a common interest, a shared challenge, a valuable insight, or a potential opportunity. You might also offer some value, such as a resource, a referral, a feedback, or a compliment. The goal is to make your message memorable, meaningful, and personalized.

4 Be respectful

The fourth step is to follow up with respect and professionalism. Don't be too casual, too aggressive, or too needy. Respect the other person's time, privacy, and boundaries. Don't spam them with multiple messages, ask for favors without offering anything in return, or make unrealistic demands or expectations. Instead, be polite, courteous, and appreciative. Thank them for their time, attention, and input. Express your interest in staying in touch and learning more about them. Ask for their permission before adding them to your network, newsletter, or mailing list.

5 Be consistent

The fifth step is to follow up with consistency and follow-through. Don't just follow up once and then disappear. Instead, keep the conversation going and maintain the relationship. Follow up with regular updates, check-ins, and reminders. Keep track of your contacts and their needs, interests, and goals. Share relevant information, opportunities, and introductions. Show your support, gratitude, and recognition. Demonstrate your credibility, value, and trustworthiness. The more you follow up consistently and sincerely, the more you will build rapport, loyalty, and influence with your new contacts.

6 Be strategic

The final step is to follow up with a strategy and a purpose. Don't just follow up for the sake of following up. Instead, have a clear goal and a plan for each contact and each interaction. What do you want to achieve from following up? What value can you offer and receive from the relationship? How can you move the relationship forward and deepen the connection? How can you measure and evaluate the results of your follow-up? By following up strategically and intentionally, you will maximize your networking efforts and outcomes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?