Good Follow Through Makes a Big Difference.

Networking is a dance, especially when you are first meeting people.  Building relationships is an easier way to think about networking so that you don’t trip all over yourself when you first meet someone.

Recently I went to a hybrid event hosted by Irish Titan. I met a new person and we clicked.  We had several topics in common and we could be helpful to expanding each other’s network.  As we were talking, I said there’s an upcoming event you may want to attend, I will send you the information on LinkedIn.  I could tell there was a spark of appreciation.

So immediately when I got to my car after the event, I pulled out my phone and sent the information over about the event.  Ok, so two thoughts.  1. Why didn’t I provide the information right then and there?  I’m old school and I didn’t want to pull out my phone right then and there to disrupt the conversation.  2. Why did I do this connection on LinkedIn?  Unless you have a great, easy to use CRM, using LinkedIn can be an easy way to track what you’ve done for people in your network.

But the real concept here is follow up.  I do my best to do what I say I am going to do.  I do my best to connect people when it will genuinely be helpful to them expanding their network.  I don’t share seven connections with someone I have just met, but I share one person or event or idea that will be beneficial to them.

Networking and building relationships are a place to have a process and a few rules to make yourself and your network successful.  Doing what you say you will do and being the first to follow up can be a game changer.  If you are one of the people who says they will make a connection and then forgets about, today is your day to change that habit.  If you are skilled at your follow up and have a habit or practice that you have used successfully, I’d like to know about it for the networking tips we are compiling.

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