Planning For Virtual Networking Events

How To Turn Networking Conversations Into Referrals (7 Simple Steps): 1. Getting “Stuck” After A Great Call Most of us get stuck in this trap. You worked so hard to get this call. You jump on, ask your questions, and it went great! Then you realize you have no idea what to say or do to keep the relationship going. 2. The “Open Door” Strategy I ran into this same problem during my job search. And I created the “Open Door” Strategy as a solution. Once I began implementing it, I always knew exactly what step to take next. That led to referrals and, eventually, job offers. 3. The Overarching Concept At a high level, the goal of the “Open Door” Strategy is to create a plan to keep the door open for the next step. When you set this as an intention, you can proactively plan around it. This gives you multiple options to “open the door” no matter how the conversation goes. 4. Start With A Brainstorm First, start by brainstorming different ways you could use to create a “Door Opener.” Ex: You could ask for a piece of advice, then you could ask if it’s ok to follow up after you take action on it. You could ask about a specific challenge, then ask if it’d be ok to follow up with some ideas around it. 5. Keep Several Options On Hand When you book your next networking conversation, keep you list of “Door Openers” on hand. When it feels natural in the conversation, introduce one of them and see what kind of response you get. If they don’t bite on one, introduce another option from your list when it makes sense. 6. Get A Follow Up Commitment This is the most important part. After you use the “Door Opener,” ask if it’s ok to follow up by X date. When they say “yes,” you’ve essentially added a placeholder in their mind for the next step in the relationship. Now you can confidently follow up knowing you both agreed to it! 7. Repeat At Each Relationship Stage The best part about this strategy is that it works at every stage and touchpoint. Your goal should be to never leave a networking conversation without leveraging it. If you adopt that approach, you’ll always know the next step you need to take and your contact will have the same expectations set on their end!

Your gala just ended. You raised $125K. Everyone's exhausted. So you send a thank you email with photos. Just like every other nonprofit. And just like every other nonprofit, you watch those attendees disappear until next year's event. Here's what actually works: Your guests don't need another generic thank you. They need to see what their money did. The nonprofits converting event attendees into year-round donors follow a 10-day impact workflow: Day 1: Text thank you (personal, brief, sets the tone) Day 2: Email with photos and a single impact metric ("Your $50K will provide 200 families with...") Day 5: Impact story (one beneficiary, real name, what changed because of Saturday night) Day 7: Second impact story (different angle, reinforces the mission) Day 10: The ask (specific, tied directly to the stories they just read) But here's the part most people miss: not everyone gets the same sequence. Who bid? Who bought raffle tickets? Who was a first time attendee? Use that data to trigger different follow-ups: Bidders get a call from your ED before the email sequence even starts. Raffle participants get SMS nudges on Day 8 ("You bought raffle tickets. Would you consider a monthly gift of $20?") First-time guests get a longer nurture sequence focused on education, not asks. The workflow isn't complicated. But it requires two things most nonprofits skip: reviewing your event data and planning the sequence before the event ends. Stop treating your gala like the finish line. It's lead gen. And the real fundraising starts the moment your guests leave.

“I’m just following up.” “Did you get the proposal?” “Just bumping this to the top.” Those lines screams self-interest. It’s a reminder that you want something. Here’s how to do it differently without sounding needy: Try this instead: “Read this piece and thought of you.” 👉 Example: “Read this piece on how sales teams cut onboarding time. Thought of your comment about speeding up training.” Or this: “You’re always so…” 👉 Example: “You’re always so sharp about spotting market shifts, wondering what you make of this AI SDR trend piece? Or this: “Last time we talked you mentioned…” 👉 Example: “Last time we talked you mentioned you’re looking for a Director of Business Development. I know someone who might be a fit. Want an intro? The psychology These approaches work because they: Shift the focus from your agenda to their world. Trigger memory (“Oh right, I did say that…”), which makes your note feel personal. Signal attentiveness, you listened, you remembered, you cared. Create curiosity instead of pressure. When people feel heard and understood, they lean in. When they feel pursued, they lean out. Follow-up is about pull, not push.

Drowning in Zoom calls and Slack threads? No energy left at the end of the day? 🥱 Zoom fatigue is real. So is information overload. It certainly happens to me. To understand science-backed strategies that get better results while preserving our energy, I invited Andrew Brodsky to Speak Like a CEO. Andrew is a management professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and the author of "Ping: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication". His PING framework is a simple, research-backed method to help you communicate smarter, not harder, in today’s virtual world. 📌 Perspective-taking 💡 Initiative 🎭 Nonverbal cues 🎯 Goals P = Perspective-taking Virtual communication makes it easy to forget there’s a human on the other side. Whether it’s a blunt email or a cold video call, always ask: How will this message feel to them? Clarity and empathy go further than you think. I = Initiative Don’t accept the weaknesses of a platform – fix them. Add warmth to text-based chats, build rapport before negotiations, or switch formats to better match your message. N = Nonverbal cues Your tone, lighting, posture, and even silence send signals. Be intentional. On video, your background, gestures and eye contact matter. G = Goals Start with the outcome. Want quick input? Use Slack. Need alignment? Meet live. Trying to build trust? Turn on the camera. Match the medium to your goal, not your habit. Our virtual communication has become a habit. Let’s challenge them and replace outdated routines with science-backed strategies. ❓ How do you ensure your message lands virtually?   ♻️ Repost to help someone improve their virtual communication. 📌 Follow me, Oliver Aust, for daily strategies on leadership communications.

A lot of the value of attending or speaking at a conference doesn’t come from being there. It comes from what you do afterwards. How many times have you come back from a conference or event and thought, “I should’ve done more to maximize that experience”? Not just attending the sessions or showing up at the networking receptions, but turning it into something meaningful for your visibility, your relationships and your business development efforts. Me too 🙋🏼♀️ It’s easy to get caught up in our busy lives, especially after returning from a conference and then move on to the next thing without following up. What you proactively do after the event is what can turn conversations into relationships and visibility into opportunity. Here are some ways to make the most of attending your next conference: ✔️ Prioritize the people you met and follow up with context on LinkedIn or by email, referencing your conversation and suggesting a clear next step ✔️ Follow up with organizers to share feedback and express interest in speaking or getting involved in future programming ✔️ Turn your conference notes into key takeaways and share them as content (LinkedIn post, blog post or short video) connected to your work, your clients or what you’re seeing in the market ✔️ Host your own webinar to recap key themes and extend the conversation ✔️ Interview speakers or attendees whose perspectives stood out and use that content in a webinar, blog post or on social media ✔️ Host an internal recap to share key insights and connect them to your team’s work ✔️ Turn questions or conversations from the event into content or targeted outreach ✔️ Share insights from the event in an email newsletter ✔️ Add relevant new contacts to your email list so you can stay visible with them ✔️ Create a simple system to stay in touch with the people who matter most ✔️ Review the attendee list and reach out to people you didn’t meet ✔️ Follow up with speakers you admired, even if you didn’t connect in person ✔️ Identify one trend or theme you kept hearing across conversations and proactively share that perspective with clients or colleagues You already put in the time and energy to be there. This is how you carry that momentum forward. Which of these ideas resonated most with you? #LegalMarketing #ClientDevelopment #LinkedInTips #BusinessDevelopment #PersonalBrandingTips

>>>𝗡𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝘂𝗽? 𝗡𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽. That’s the rule I’ve set for myself after too many missed connections at great events. You know the drill: → You leave a room buzzing with ideas, names, and conversations. → You promise to stay in touch. → Then real life kicks in—and the momentum disappears. I’ve learned this the hard way. Now, I don’t attend unless I’m ready to do the follow-up work too. Now I'm trying something new: → I teamed up with an accountability partner to debrief post-event. (Thanks Elina!) → We share notes, fill in gaps, and add next steps. → That accountability makes a huge difference. I’ve also added two tactics that make a real impact: → Book follow-up meetings on the spot. If the convo’s going well, lock in a next step before you part ways. → Post your takeaways publicly. Share a few insights or reflections from the event. It signals value and helps people reconnect. If you're not using a CRM, here’s my simple follow-up playbook: → Input all the people you've met in a spreadsheet. → Use LinkedIn as your mini-CRM. Be very specific in a DM how and when you met. → Personalize your connection requests or your 1st DM. Mention the event. Reference your chat. Two lines are enough. → Follow up while it’s still fresh. Send the article, make the intro, or just say “great meeting you.” → Engage publicly. Comment on their latest post. Like something they shared. Stay visible. → Make your profile do the heavy lifting. Clear headline. Updated summary. Recent post. Your profile should reinforce the connection. IRL is just the spark. What you do after—that’s what turns a name tag into a relationship. What’s your follow-up system look like? Photos from Tuesday event at Technology Park Ljubljana where we talked about dos and don'ts of opening new markets.

Want to know how networking got me leads worth ₹3,00,000? Here’s the thing: Networking is not about collecting connections like Pokémon cards. It’s about the follow-up. At TechSparks, I didn’t just shake hands and walk away. I followed up strategically, and here’s what made all the difference: 1. Personalized follow-up: A generic “nice to meet you” email? Nope. Each follow-up was tailored, referencing our conversation, shared interests, or how we could potentially collaborate. That made it personal and valuable for them, not just me. 2. Timing is key: Don’t wait for days or weeks. I reached out within 24 hours of meeting them. It showed I was serious about keeping the conversation going—and that I valued their time. 3. Be clear on the value you offer: I didn’t just follow up for the sake of it. I made it clear why continuing the conversation would benefit them, whether it was insights I could share or ways we could collaborate. 4. Stay consistent: One follow-up is great, but I didn’t stop there. I stayed in touch, continued the conversation, and nurtured those relationships over time. The result? 7 quality calls and leads worth ₹3,00,000—all because I didn’t let those connections go cold. Here’s the truth: Not every contact you make is going to convert into cash overnight. But the ones you nurture with genuine intent will strengthen your network and, eventually, your opportunities. Every email, every DM, every touchpoint is an investment in your future success. Pro tip: Follow up like you’re building a relationship, not closing a sale. That’s how you create value for both sides. 💡 If you want to know how I consistently turn networking into real business growth, let’s connect and talk about how I can help you do the same.

You spent £20K on the stand… but ghosted your leads after Day 3? No wonder you’re not seeing ROI. Exhibitors love talking about “lead gen” and ROI at shows. But mention follow-up? Ouch 😩 The letter below showed up recently in my postbox. 📬 A physical mailer with a branded coaster 🗓️ sent SIX weeks after the event I attended. 👏 That’s what I call follow-up with intent and a clear strategy in line with their booth theme. Good job Print.com Not a lazy email blast. Not a sales call within 12 hours. Just a well-timed, memorable, human touch. Based on my experience, here’s what great follow-up actually looks like: • Planned before the event • Thoughtfully spaced over 6–12 weeks • Includes a mix of channels — not just email • Adds value, tells a story, and reignites the spark If your leads are going cold, don’t blame the show. Look at your follow-up game. Be honest… how many leads from your last event are still “pending contact” or even worse, lying in your desk drawer? #Exhibitions #tradeshows #ExhibitionStrategy #B2BMarketing

14 unusual things to do after networking (So that people never forget you) Most people treat networking like a one-time event. Show up. Shake hands. Exchange LinkedIn profiles. Then what? Nothing. Silence. A connection that dies in your inbox. ➡️ Here’s the truth: Networking doesn’t end when the event does. If you want to stand out in a sea of small talk and business cards, what you do after matters way more than what you said in the room. 📍 14 memorable ways to follow up after networking (so people remember how you made them feel) : 1.Send a 30-second voice note 🔹 It’s warm, personal, and wildly underused. 🔹 They’ll remember your tone, not just your job title. 2. Mention something they said 🔹 “Still thinking about what you said about burnout.” 🔹 Proves you listen, not just wait to talk. Rare energy. 3. Follow up with zero ask 🔹 “No agenda, just really enjoyed our chat.” 🔹 Trust is built when you expect nothing. 4. Recommend a niche resource 🔹 “This podcast reminded me of our convo on health.” 🔹 Thoughtful people always stand out. 5. Post something they inspired 🔹 “Met someone who reshaped how I think about___.” 🔹 Now they’re part of your story and stories are sticky. 6. Engage genuinely with their content 🔹 “This post reminds me of the time I_____” 🔹 People remember those who get them. 7. Add a personal detail to your calendar 🔹 Birthday, race day, launch date. 🔹 A simple “You"ll crush it today!” = unforgettable. 8. Offer a connection they didn’t ask for 🔹 “You and [Name] speak the same. Want an intro?” 🔹 Be the bridge. Bridges are memorable. 9. Share their work with someone new 🔹 “Told a friend about your insight on___ It hit home.” 🔹 Generosity makes your name stick. 10. Circle back weeks later with a win or a thought 🔹 “That nutrition tip you shared....Total game-changer.” 🔹 That follow-up moment seals the connection. 11. Ask how they’re feeling, not just what they’re doing 🔹 “How’s your energy with the launch coming up?" 🔹 Emotional intelligence creates instant rapport. 12. Thank them again, but differently 🔹 “Grateful for the kindness, not just the time.” 🔹 Depth of appreciation always stands out. 13. Send a $5 coffee gift card with a kind note 🔹 “Thanks for your time and wisdom, next cup’s on me.” 🔹 Tiny gesture. Massive impression. 14. Be the follow-up you’d love to receive 🔹 Helpful, human, and zero pressure. 🔹 Authentic energy is your best bet. Networking isn’t about collecting contacts. The follow-up is where relationships are built Or forgotten. Most people don’t go the extra step. That’s your opportunity. 💎 Because when people remember how you made them feel, They’ll remember you, every single time. ✨ Got a go-to follow-up move that’s worked for you? Drop it in the comments. ♻️ Found this helpful? REPOST. + Follow Priyamvada S for daily tips on growth and well being

Please, stop calling me MQL and asking your sales team to call me after a webinar. I feel we can easily improve the event follow-up playbook... The broken event follow-up playbook: - Mark event sign ups as MQLs in Hubspot/Salesforce - Starting 5-emails nurturing sequence pushing attendee to book a demo - Assigning MQLs to sales and asking to call Webinar sign-ups ≠ buying intent. Here is how to refine event follow-up playbook to align it with the level of demand of the sign ups and their buyer journey stage. 1/ MARKETING: - Upload a recording and slides to a relevant content hub - Download and qualify sign ups by ICP criteria - Segment all qualified contacts by tiers - Match tier 1 and tier 2 accounts with the pipeline status and buyer journey stage - Add all accounts to the demand gen retargeting group aligned with the buyer journey 2/ SALES - Connect & engage with net new tier 1 and tier 2 accounts who consumed content in the content hub - When connected, ask for feedback and do progressive profiling to understand better where they are in the buying journey and what their needs - Suggest "bridge" activities (e.g. strategy sessions) to create logical bridge between current buyer needs and your product 3/ MARKETING AND SALES - Discuss collected insights and move accounts to a relevant ABM playbook matched with the accounts' journey stage. --- Nobody is signing up for the webinar to listen to the blatant product promotion or high-level stuff that ChatGPT can provide. B2B buyers come for practical learnings, connections and entertainment. Educate -> engage -> create demand -> research and understand the buyer journey stage and current needs of your prospects -> create "bridge" activities / buyer enablement - this is how you influence the buying process with webinars and generate pipeline.