How to Follow Up After a Networking Event as a Marketer: 5 Actionable Ways for Small Business Owners to Leverage Networking Events for Marketers

Many small business owners find it hard to make the most out of networking events. They want to know how to follow up after a networking event as a marketer to build connections that last. This guide offers simple steps to help you boost your online presence and reach your target audience through effective digital marketing. With these actionable tips, you can turn new contacts into valuable relationships that grow your business.

Preparing for an Effective Follow-Up

Key Takeaway: Preparation is key to successful follow-ups after networking events. Being ready can help you make the most of your new connections.

Before you even step foot into a networking event, set yourself up for success. You need to be ready with digital contact cards and organized business cards. Digital contact cards can be shared easily via email or social media. They should include your name, business title, company name, website, and a brief description of what you do. This makes it easy for someone to remember you later (and saves them from trying to decipher your handwriting on a crumpled business card).

Think about your follow-up strategy as well. How will you reach out to the people you meet? A clear plan can save you time and ensure you don’t miss any opportunities. Networking events for marketers are a fantastic way to meet potential clients and partners, but only if you follow up correctly.

Actionable Tip: Create a template email or LinkedIn message that you can personalize after each conversation. This will make it quicker and easier to reach out to new contacts. Something simple like:

“Hi [Name],
It was great to meet you at [Event Name]! I enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic]. Let’s connect and keep the discussion going!”

This sets a friendly tone and shows you value the connection.

Immediate Steps Right After the Event

Key Takeaway: Act quickly! Following up within 24-48 hours keeps the interaction fresh in everyone’s mind.

After the event, your first move should be to follow up within a day or two. This is when the memories of the event are still vivid. If you wait too long, people may forget who you are, and your message might get lost in their inbox.

You can send a personal thank-you note to express your appreciation for their time. A simple thank you reinforces your interest and helps maintain the connection. Additionally, connecting on professional social media platforms like LinkedIn can solidify your relationship.

Actionable Tip: Use a “ways to follow up after a networking event” checklist. Here’s a quick one:

• Send a thank-you email or note.
• Connect on LinkedIn or other social media.
• Mention something specific from your conversation.
• Set a reminder to check in again in a month.

This checklist keeps you organized and ensures you don’t miss any follow-up opportunities.

Leveraging Digital Tools for Seamless Follow-Up

Key Takeaway: Use digital tools to make your follow-up easier and more effective.

Customer relationship management (CRM) systems can simplify your follow-up tasks. They help you keep track of your contacts and any interactions you’ve had with them. By using a CRM, you can quickly note what you discussed and when to follow up next.

Email automation tools can also be beneficial. They allow you to send out personalized messages to multiple contacts at once. For instance, if you met several people at an event, you can set up a message that addresses each person by name and refers to your conversation. This saves you time while still making the follow-up feel personal.

Digital strategies can greatly amplify the value you gain from networking events for small business owners.

Actionable Tip: Check out a case study of a small business that improved its online presence through effective digital follow-ups. A company might have used a CRM to track leads from a networking event. By sending personalized follow-up emails, they saw a 30% increase in responses and ultimately gained several new clients.

Nurturing Long-Term Relationships

Key Takeaway: Building lasting relationships is more valuable than simply making a connection.

After the initial follow-up, your goal should be to nurture these relationships for long-term benefits. This means checking in with your contacts regularly. Schedule periodic check-ins, share valuable content, or invite them to exclusive events.

For example, if you learn about something that might interest a contact, send them a quick email. “Hey [Name], I thought of you when I came across this article about [topic]. I think you might find it helpful!” This shows you care and keeps the conversation going.

Consistency is key. The more you interact, the more likely it is that your contacts will think of you when they need your services or can refer you to others.

Actionable Example: Consider a real-life success story. A small marketing agency made a habit of sending monthly newsletters with helpful tips and industry news. They also checked in with past contacts every few months. This practice increased referrals significantly, leading to more business opportunities.

Analyzing and Optimizing Your Follow-Up Strategy

Key Takeaway: Measuring your follow-up success helps you improve your strategy over time.

To ensure your follow-up efforts are effective, you need to track how well they work. Look at metrics like response rates, meeting conversions, and engagement on your social posts. This information shows what strategies work best and which ones may need tweaking.

For example, if you notice that emails sent on Fridays get more responses, you can adjust your schedule accordingly. Feedback from your contacts can help, too. If they mention they prefer LinkedIn messages over emails, switch it up!

Actionable Tip: Use digital tools and analytics platforms to measure the impact of your follow-up initiatives. Many CRM and email marketing platforms offer built-in analytics. Take advantage of these to gather insights on your follow-up effectiveness.

By regularly analyzing your strategy, you can make informed adjustments. This ensures you stay relevant and connected to your network over time.

FAQs

Q: How can I make my follow-up emails feel genuine and personalized to each contact?

A: To make your follow-up emails feel genuine and personalized, use the recipient’s name in the greeting and reference previous interactions or specific details about your last conversation. Additionally, write in a conversational tone and express genuine interest in their needs or feedback, making them feel valued and heard.

Q: What are some effective ways to adjust my message for different networking contacts who attended the same event?

A: To adjust your message for different networking contacts who attended the same event, tailor your communication based on each person’s background, interests, and the specific conversation you had with them. Highlight relevant topics or shared experiences from the event that align with their interests and let them know how you can provide value or support in their endeavors.

Q: How do I strike the right balance between professionalism and warmth in my follow-up communication?

A: To strike the right balance between professionalism and warmth in your follow-up communication, use a friendly tone while maintaining clarity and respect. Personalize your message by including the recipient’s name and referencing previous interactions, while ensuring your language remains professional and concise.

Q: What creative strategies can I use to stay on my contacts’ radar without it coming off as too pushy?

A: To stay on your contacts’ radar without being too pushy, consider sending personalized messages that express gratitude for their past interactions or provide valuable insights related to their interests. Additionally, using gentle reminders or occasional follow-ups, such as sharing relevant articles or checking in on important dates, can keep you connected without overwhelming them.

To enhance your networking efforts, consider exploring how to network effectively as a digital marketer.