You’ve heard the saying: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” But here’s the truth most entrepreneurs miss – it’s not just who you know, it’s how you nurture those connections after you meet them.
Showing up is the first step, but the real power of networking happens in the follow-up. Without it, even the best conversations fade into missed opportunities. With it, you build trust, credibility, and genuine relationships that can transform into collaborations or clients.
Think of follow-up as the bridge between a friendly introduction and a meaningful relationship. Attending events plants the seed, but consistent, thoughtful follow-up is what helps it grow.
But, no one wants to feel like they’re being “worked’ and follow-ups should not be done with the sole intention of just furthering YOUR business, but to also help propel their business too. That’s why the best follow-ups are personal, genuine, and focused on building a connection.
With that said following up with someone you met at an event can feel spammy even when you have the best intentions. Here are a few ideas to help you reach out:
- Send a thoughtful email/message. Mention something specific from your conversation so it doesn’t feel generic.
- Try a voice memo. A quick, friendly audio note can stand out in a sea of emails.
- Share value. Send a relevant article, introduce them to someone in your network, or recommend a helpful resource.
Sharing value is such a powerful approach because it shifts the entire dynamic of the relationship. When you lead with generosity, you immediately stand out from the crowd of people who only reach out when they need something. It shows integrity, makes your outreach feel authentic instead of transactional, and creates goodwill that often circles back in unexpected ways. In other words, giving before asking doesn’t just build trust it positions you as someone others want to stay connected with.
Every follow-up is a small step toward building credibility. Over time, those small steps add upturning casual acquaintances into trusted collaborators, referral partners, or clients.
As we have had said time and time again, consistency is key and that’s where having a system helps. The WCE Networking & Mastermind Workbook gives you a simple way to record your contacts, keep track of conversations, and plan your follow-ups. With prompts and reflection space built in, it takes the stress out of remembering who to reach out to next. You can grab your PDF version HERE or order a physical copy below:
Follow-ups aren’t just polite, they’re powerful. By showing up authentically, giving before you ask, and following through consistently, you’ll build a network rooted in trust.
If you found this helpful, you can explore even more tips, downloads, and articles HERE. Join WCE to get instant access to all of our resources, plus free networking and mastermind events. Not in Houston? No problem! We also offer a membership focused on education and resources just for you and our virtual networking chapters will be launching this month. Click below to learn more:
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