Is Networking Enough?

This question recently came up during a conversation with a colleague who has embraced the power of networking for her business. While attending networking events and joining groups is a great first step it begs the question,

“Is networking enough or do I have to follow up?”

Follow up is critical, whether from a networking event, conference or with leads. But the answer really depends on your goal. If you’d just like to meet cool people by all means network and then go back to your daily life. But if you want to build relationships you can’t rely on one interaction.

You may be amazing and memorable but that doesn’t mean you can expect others to remember you without intentionally building a connection by following up.

Primarily because we’re all busy, it’s almost a bragging right now to share just how overbooked everyone is and how no on has enough time. Because there are dozens, hundreds of things pulling for our attention at any given moment, the truly urgent and important naturally rise to the top.

Consider for a moment that you’ve met three people at a new networking event: one is the editor of a trade magazine you want to be featured in, another is a blogger who writes about “everything” and the third is a college student looking for an internship next summer.  Who do you follow up with first? If you’re wise, you identify the most important relationship to build (with the magazine editor in this example) and reach out immediately.

Why is it important to reach out quickly after a meeting? Well, most people don’t so you’ll immediately stand out from your peers. Additionally, when it comes to follow up, embrace the term “strike while the iron is hot.” Reach out to that new contact when they’re most excited about meeting you, remember the most about your conversations.

The longer you wait, the less effective your message.

A few years back I was looking for volunteer opportunities and contacted a local organization. At the time I had lots of free time and could give part time hours a few days a week. Great, right? Well weeks and eventually months went by, I joined another organization, took on more hours at work and when the volunteer coordinator contacted me 8 months later I’d already moved on.

Especially when you’re asking for a favor or connection reach out when they’re most motivated to help you.

I do admit that for a lot of people it’s not as simple as “just follow up”, and the very idea of contacting someone with a request creates anxiety and fear. Sometimes it’s not knowing what to say – or how to say it – that stops us from reaching out for valuable connections and opportunities.

If emailing someone gives you trouble, here are two quick things to remember:

1) by receiving their card or email address you already have implicit permission to contact

2) even if you make a request the other person cannot say yes to, you’ve begun to understand how you can support each other

Being prepared creates confidence

One of my favorite assignments with private clients is to craft their templates for networking follow up, so they always have a starting point to reach out for what they need.

To get more networking tips, check out these systems for networking success and then refine your networking system to get even better results.

I’m willing to bet there’s at least one person who you’ve been meaning to follow up with in your life right now.