How To Follow-Up Networking Prospects

Networking is widely considered one of the keys to succeeding as a virtual professional. It really is ‘who you know’ that can help to build and sustain a successful business. Many Virtual Assistants (and other small business owners) get out and start networking, but they fail to do the follow up necessary to keep the interest of the person they have come into contact with. Here are a few ways that you can build a follow up system that will work for you and your business:

1.  Collect business cards while you are at live or virtual events.

The notes you will take will make it easier to do your follow up once you get back home (ie if you ask someone to join your mailing list or if you tell them you will send them something after the event, it’s important to bring that information back to your office and follow through on it.)

2.  Offer a resource or a follow up piece to people you want to make a connection with.

As you talk to them, offer to send them some information you know will be useful to them. That way you can get their email address and you can send them a personal follow up note to remind them of your connection. Be sure to have something of value to provide for them if you are making this offer.

3.  Ask them if you can add them to your mailing list.

When you leave an event, it is important to have consent to add people to your list, instead of just adding people. If you haven’t gotten their consent at the event, you can still send the personal note, and remind them that you met, and mention something about your conversation that you had, and invite them.

4.  Introduce yourself afterwards if you didn’t get a chance to have a conversation.

Some networking events allow you to provide your business card for everyone in attendance (ie a networking breakfast). If you don’t get a chance to have a face to face meeting with someone whose card you came away from the event with, send them an email afterwards to introduce yourself, and if they correspond with you, be sure to start your follow up procedure with them.