One of the best parts of a networking event is meeting someone you genuinely want to know better.
Maybe they are working through a challenge you understand, or you find yourselves trading ideas long after the introductions are over. You leave thinking, “I’m so glad we met,” and you mean it when you say you'll keep the conversation going.
Then you’re back at your desk, catching up on emails and taking care of clients, and reaching out slips further down the list.
We’ve all been there.
But that conversation is worth coming back to, even if a little more time has passed than you planned. A simple message about something someone shared can open the door to getting to know each other, exchanging ideas, and finding ways to support one another.
Those connections can make running a business feel a little less like doing it all on your own.
The follow-up most entrepreneurs skip is making a specific plan to stay connected after that first friendly message.
That is why it is so important to decide what comes next and when you’ll reach out, then give yourself a reminder. That small step gives a promising connection a chance to become an ongoing relationship.
Follow Up While the Conversation Is Fresh
Send a text or email within 48 hours if you can, while you both remember the conversation.
Let them know you enjoyed meeting them and mention something specific you discussed. You might thank them for an idea they shared, ask a question about their work, or send a resource you promised.
Keep it simple and personal. You’re picking up a conversation you already started, so write the way you would speak to them.
If a few days have passed, reach out anyway. You can still tell them you enjoyed connecting.
Try It Out: After your next networking event, set a reminder for when you’ll follow up and who you want to connect with. When you reach out, try to reference something specific from each conversation.
Give First and Get to Know Each Other
When someone’s work connects with yours, it’s natural to get excited about what you could do together. Take time to learn more about their business and what matters to them before jumping into a proposal or sales conversation, unless they’ve asked for that information.
Think about something they shared when you met. You might have a helpful resource or know someone they’d enjoy meeting. If you offer an introduction, check that both people are interested, and follow through on anything you promise to send.
Giving first can be as simple as taking a genuine interest in what someone is building. As you get to know each other, you’ll have a better sense of how you can support one another, whether through referrals, collaboration, or sharing ideas.
Try It Out: Before your next follow-up, think of one way you could be helpful based on your conversation. You might share a resource, offer an introduction, or ask about something they’re working on.
Create a Simple System You Will Actually Use
A thoughtful first message gets the conversation started. What happens a few weeks later, when you’re busy with clients and the networking event feels like a distant memory? That’s when having a simple way to stay in touch makes a difference.
The step that’s easy to miss is planning for the next conversation. You may genuinely want to hear how someone’s launch went or introduce them to a colleague, but those intentions can get lost in a busy week.
Put a reminder on your calendar to reach out again. If they mentioned an upcoming workshop, check in afterward to see how it went. Or set aside a few minutes each week to reconnect with someone you enjoyed meeting. A simple reminder helps you follow through without adding another complicated system to your day.
Over time, those check-ins become opportunities to celebrate a win, share something useful, or pick up a conversation you enjoyed. This is how follow-up becomes part of building a community around your business, rather than something you do once after an event.
Try It Out: Think of someone you enjoyed meeting recently and add a reminder to your calendar to reach out. Start there, and build a habit you can keep
Remember to Stay in Touch Over Time
As you get to know each other, you’ll find more reasons to connect, whether you’re celebrating a win, sharing an opportunity, or inviting someone to an event. Those small exchanges help you build a community of people who understand the work you’re doing and are glad to support one another.
The conversation you started at a networking event could become a valued friendship, a collaboration, or a source of encouragement during a challenging week. Give it a chance to grow by staying in touch.
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