Stop Ghosting Your Network! The Right Way to Follow Up After Networking
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Turn Contacts into Connections
What should you do with the contacts you've collected from your networking event? Do you send an email right away? Do you wait a few days? And most importantly, how do you follow up without sounding like a pushy salesperson?
A networking follow-up is what separates forgettable small talk from meaningful professional relationships. If you want to make the most out of your connections, you need a solid follow-up strategy. So, let’s go through them!
1. Timing Is Everything
The golden rule? Follow up within 24-48 hours.
Why? Because after a few days, your conversation fades from memory, and you go from “Oh yeah, we had a great chat!” to “Wait…who is this again?”
If you met someone at an event on a Friday, Monday is still fair game. Just don’t let an entire week pass without checking in.
What if you forgot to follow up on time?
It happens. If it’s been a while, acknowledge it, keep it casual and get things back on track!
“Hey [Name], I just realized I never followed up after [event]. I really enjoyed our conversation about [topic], and I’d love to stay in touch!”
2. Pick the Right Communication Channel
Not every contact wants to be followed up in the same way. So how do you choose?
Email – Best for formal or business-related connections.
LinkedIn DM – Great for professionals you just met at an industry event.
WhatsApp/Text – Works if they shared their number and the interaction was casual.
Social Media Engagement – Liking or commenting on their posts can be a subtle way to stay on their radar.
If they gave you a business card, use their preferred contact method. If you’re unsure, email is a safe bet.
3. What to Say in Your Follow-Up Message
Now for the important part! What do you actually say?
The idea is to keep it short, personal, and relevant to the conversation you had previously with your recipient.
Basic Follow-Up Template:
"Hey [Name],
It was great meeting you at [event]! I really enjoyed our chat about [topic]. I came across this [article/tool] that I think you’d find interesting.
Would love to stay in touch—let me know if you’re open to catching up sometime!"
Click here for more follow-up email templates.
If you promised to send them something (an introduction, a resource, a follow-up question), make sure you actually do it. Keeping your word builds credibility.
4. What If They Don’t Respond?
No response? Don’t take it personally! People do get busy. Here's what you can do if they do not respond to you:
- Follow up once more after a week with a quick message: "Hey [Name], just wanted to circle back in case my last message got buried. Would love to connect when you have time!”
- Engage with them on social media —comment on their post, share something relevant, or react to their content. This keeps you on their radar without being intrusive.
- Know when to move on. If they’re consistently unresponsive, it’s probably not the right time. Stay connected but don’t chase it.
5. Keep the Relationship Alive
Following up is about building long-term connections with others; you cannot rely on just one email or message to bring your business relationship to new heights.
Track your contacts. Use a CRM tool or a simple spreadsheet to remember who you met and when to follow up.
Check in periodically. If you see an industry update, a job change, or a milestone they’ve shared, drop them a quick congratulatory message.
Offer value. Introduce them to someone useful, share a resource, or invite them to an event.
The key to a great networking follow-up is being intentional, not transactional!
Do not follow up just to sell your product or service. You’re building relationships that can lead to opportunities down the road.
So, take 10 minutes today and send a follow-up to someone you met recently. You never know where that one message might lead!
