Want to know how to use flawless follow up to continue the conversation with someone you met at a business event?
You will when you learn how to avoid the four failures professionals make and what to do instead.
Most professionals who attend events never follow up with the people they meet. As a result they fail to leverage the initial contact with someone and transform it into a winning relationship that helps them secure employment or generate more business.
#1 – Failure to exchange contact information so you can follow up.
The operative word is ‘exchange’. Claim ownership for continuing the conversation post event. If you don’t get the business card, you wait and hope that the person will contact you. And you could be waiting forever, since most people don’t follow up. If they don’t have a business card, use the low-tech method. Write their contact information on a piece of paper or cocktail napkin. It works!
#2 – Failure to follow up within 24 to 36 hours.
You’ve got their contact info. Great! Time to communicate with them ASAP. If you wait too long, you risk them forgetting who you are or what you discussed. Newsflash: you’re probably not the only person they met that evening or even the most memorable (sorry but it happens!). The longer you put off making contact, the less likely you’ll take action. Be memorable and act sooner than later.
#3 – Failure to communicate something worth reading when you follow up.
So what do you write in your email or note card? First, what not to write: “It was a pleasure meeting you last night. I look forward to speaking to you again soon.” Remember, you want to continue the conversation not end it. A better follow up note covers (a) where you met (b) one highlight discussed (c) what you agreed upon (d) and the next action, either theirs or yours.
Here’s an example, “Hi Jean, I appreciated your comments last night on the challenges of marketing the Big Speaker event. We agreed to further discuss how I could help you with this. As promised, I’ll call you on your mobile at 8:30am next Tuesday. Speak to you then.”
#4 – Failure to keep your word to follow up.
If you say you’ll follow up, then do it. If you promised to send information, send it. If it will take a week to get the information, communicate that. The point is that you contact the person within 24 – 36 hours (#2), provide context and content for the follow up (#3), and let them know that you’ll send the information in a week. Set up a tickler so you don’t forget to execute that action a week later. Keeping your commitments is the first step to building trust.
And now you’re better equipped to implement flawless follow up. Doing so is a simple step toward building credibility and trust with a stranger. Simply rinse and repeat to continue the conversation.
That’s how you build a relationship that will enable you to achieve your personal and professional goals: be it securing employment or generating new business.
What’s the next personal or professional event on your calendar? Go use this stuff.
Who do you know that could use these Flawless Follow Up techniques?
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