Effective Follow-Up After Networking

Last Friday, 175 professional women in Singapore each handed me one ASK. 104 of them were the same ASK 👉 An introduction to a specific person they could not reach on their own. The ones who walked away with a real outcome were not the most senior. They were the ones who had three skills, in sequence, that almost no woman is taught. 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. A sharp ask shrinks the senior person's network, on their behalf, to one specific person they can already see in their head. A stalled ask widens the room. "I am open to opportunities." They have to imagine your industry and their network. So they do nothing. A sharp ask narrows it to one person. "I am moving from Regional Marketing Director into a CMO seat in the next twelve months. Who in your last six months of meetings is the Board Chair who could tell me what the first year of that transition actually cost her." It names a destination. It dates it. It tells them which corner of their network to scan. And what the meeting is for. If you cannot ask in two sentences and have them nodding by the second, it is not ready. This skill does ninety percent of the work. 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝟮. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘄. Senior people do not say no to senior women. They say "let me think about who" and forget by the next meeting. The how is what you write for them before they need it. Bring the introduction email already drafted. Three sentences about you, two about why this person, one on what you want the meeting to do. Say: "I have written what you could forward. Edit anything, take my name off if you prefer." You are not putting words in their mouth. You are removing the cognitive load that stops busy people from helping. The how is good when they make one edit and forward the draft the same day. 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝘂𝗽. This decides whether the same person will spend capital on you a second time, or never. Within 48 hours, write back. Not "thank you so much." A specific sentence. "Introduction landed yesterday. Meeting Thursday at 4pm. Will tell you what I learn." After the meeting, close the loop. "Met her Thursday. The first year of that transition cost her two things she had not anticipated. I am rethinking the timing of my move. Thank you. It changed the question I am asking." A senior person who sees their action produced a result will spend capital again. One who never hears back will not. Most senior women lose the relationship here. In the silence after the ask. The three compound. ✔️ A question without a how puts the burden back. ✔️ A how without a question is a forwarded email to nowhere. ✔️ Both without a follow-up is a one-time favour. If you have been waiting to be discovered for two years, the gap is the three sentences you have not yet learned to write. We built a course for that. It is called From Mentored to Championed. The full sponsorship playbook, Link in comment

The fastest way to end a professional relationship before it begins is to make your first interaction an ask. It happens all the time. Someone starts a new job and immediately messages the CEO or a senior executive: "Can I pick your brain?" "Would you have 30 minutes for coffee?" "I'd love to learn from your career journey." It feels ambitious to the sender, but to the recipient, it often feels transactional. Think about it from their perspective. They don't know you yet. They haven't seen your work, your judgment, or your contributions. Yet your very first interaction is asking them to give you their most limited resource: time. The highest achievers approach this very differently because they understand that relationships are built before they're needed. One of the most valuable networking strategies I've learned came from my friend and co-author, Andy Lopata FLPI FPSA PSAE. He calls it the 24-7-30 Rule, and it's brilliantly simple. Within 24 hours of meeting someone, send a brief note reminding them where you met. Seven days later, share something relevant to your conversation, like an article, podcast, or insight. Thirty days later, reconnect again with something of value. Notice what's missing. There isn't an ask. There isn't a request for coffee. There isn't a request to "pick their brain." Instead, you're building familiarity, trust, and credibility one thoughtful interaction at a time. Most people think networking is about making introductions. The people who build extraordinary careers know it's really about mastering the follow-up. I recently chatted with Kate Snow of NBC News about how to do networking right...because opportunities rarely come from a single conversation. They come from relationships you've intentionally nurtured over time. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Dr Ruth Gotian is a scholar and keynote speaker on success and high performance. 🎤 She speaks to organizations, President's Clubs, leadership offsites, and associations. 🔎 Her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Fortune, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company. ▶️ Press follow and set the 🔔 to "Always" to learn how the world's highest achievers succeed, and you can too.

Professional Brand Principle #4: TREAT THE FOLLOW-UP LIKE YOU'RE ALREADY HIRED Most candidates send a thank you email after an interview. The best candidates send proof they're already thinking like they are hired. When it comes to your professional brand and how you are perceived the interview follow up can have more impact than the interview itself: Average candidate: "Thanks for meeting with me. I'm very interested in the role. Here's why I'm the right fit." Good candidate: Sends a thoughtful note highlighting key discussion points. Exceptional candidate: Sends actionable insights that solve a problem discussed in the interview. The difference in professional brand and perception? The exceptional candidate isn't asking for the job. They're demonstrating "Here's the value I bring." During the interview you heard about their challenges. The way to elevate your professional brand is to show you understand them. Not by telling them about your experience - AGAIN!: Try the following. - Mystery shop their service and document the experience - Download competitor apps and identify advantages they're missing - Research their GTM strategy vs their main competitors. Make recommendations. - Create a framework for solving the specific problem they mentioned Don't tell them you're the right hire. Show them. While other candidates are being polite, you're being productive. Your professional brand isn't what you say in the interview. It's what you deliver afterwards.

Client touchpoints shouldn’t feel pushy. They should feel like what they really are: Building real relationships. But many client-facing professionals hesitate to follow  up, worried they’ll seem self-serving. But here’s the shift: When your touchpoints come from generosity, following  up feels: ✅ Natural ✅ Helpful ✅ Human Need to follow up with a client soon? Here are 7 of my favorite trust-building touchpoints that  don’t feel like “selling”: 1. Ask for their perspective → “What shifts are you seeing in your market?” → Let their insights guide your next step → People love being asked what they think 2. Make an introduction → Connect them to someone who can help → Be specific about the value on both sides → Follow up later to see how it went 3. Invite them to something meaningful → A small dinner with peers they’ll enjoy → A virtual panel on a topic they care about → No pitch. Just people they’d want to meet 4. Offer a Give-to-Get → “Want to spend 30 minutes tackling that challenge?” → Share helpful ideas, no strings attached → Let value lead to the next conversation 5. Congratulate and recognize them → Repost their big news with a kind comment → Mail a handwritten note (or flowers!) → Celebrate the personal wins too 6. Send a helpful article → Share something outside your company blog → Add a quick note: “Thought of you when I read this.” → Make it clear you’re thinking of them 7. Send a thoughtful “just because” note → “What you said in that meeting stuck with me.” → Mention their new puppy or kid’s graduation → Yes, snail mail is still magic In the end, it’s not about being remembered. It’s about being helpful. When you show up generously, without pressure, you’re  not just keeping in touch. You’re building something real. Pick one. Try it this week. Let me know how it goes. ♻️ Valuable? Repost to help someone in your network. 📌 Follow Mo Bunnell for client-growth strategies that don’t feel like selling. Want the full infographic? Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/e3qRVJRf 

You got the meeting. Congratulations. Now the real work begins. The high from a great first meeting is a familiar feeling. The conversation flowed, you connected on shared interests, and the potential for a significant gift felt within reach. But a week later, that energy often dissipates into uncertainty. That's because the most successful fundraisers know the first meeting isn't the finish line. It's the starting gun. The 90 days after that meeting are what separate a transformative gift from a dead end. It’s not about just "checking in." It's about a disciplined, value-driven cultivation plan. The 24-Hour Rule: Your follow-up email should be sent within 24 hours. It should thank them, briefly summarize what you heard, and confirm the next steps. This isn't just polite; it's professional. Go Beyond another "Meeting": Instead of asking for a second meeting, offer a custom engagement. An introduction to a board member with a shared background. A behind-the-scenes tour of a program they showed interest in. The 90-Day Cadence: Map out a series of high-value touchpoints. Think personalized impact reports, invitations to exclusive (small) events, or even a handwritten note referencing a topic from your conversation. One Head of Development I worked with secured a meeting with a retired tech executive. Her 24-hour follow-up was perfect. But she didn't stop there. Over the next two months, she introduced him via email to a program director who shared his passion for data, sent him a short, personalized video from a student in that program, and mailed him a copy of a book on philanthropy she had mentioned. She never asked for another meeting. He called her to proactively schedule one, and their conversation shifted from "if" he would give to "how" he would give. The first meeting gets their attention. The follow-up earns their trust. What's your most effective follow-up strategy after a great first meeting?

The conversation you almost didn’t have is the one that could change everything Most people underestimate small talk. But in reality, it’s where opportunity starts. Careers, partnerships, friendships, deals They rarely begin in a boardroom They begin in a simple conversation If you know how to handle it well, small talk becomes one of the highest ROI skills you can develop Here is a simple, repeatable 3 step framework Step 1: Master small talk (without it feeling small) Use this structure to guide natural conversation: F.O.R.D. Family → traditions, background, what matters to them Occupation → why they chose their path, not just what they do Recreation → how they spend time outside of work Dreams → if they could do anything, what would it be This is not a script It is a way to stay curious and intentional Layer it with fundamentals that most people forget: • Active listening • Strong eye contact • Thoughtful follow up questions Avoid the common mistakes: • Interrupting • Making it all about you, keep it balanced • Asking overly personal questions too early • Being critical or dismissive • Non responsiveness or checking your phone And when it is time to leave: Exit with intention Thank them, acknowledge the conversation, and close with presence That alone sets you apart Step 2: Exchange contact information the right way This is where most people drop the ball Do not say “we should connect sometime” Be direct and natural: “Let’s stay in touch, I’d enjoy continuing this conversation” Then make it easy: • Connect on LinkedIn immediately • Send a quick message referencing something specific you discussed Specificity is what makes you memorable Step 3: Follow up like a professional This is where relationships are actually built Within 24 to 48 hours: • Send a short message • Reference something meaningful from your conversation • Add value if possible, article, introduction, idea Example: “I enjoyed our conversation about expanding into wellness spaces. I came across something you might find interesting, happy to share.” No pressure No hard ask Just relevance and consistency Most people think networking is about volume It is not It is about depth, presence, and follow through Small talk is not small It is the front door to everything that comes next Curious question: What is one conversation you had recently that could turn into something more if you followed up?

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep in touch with a mentor or follow up after a networking call, this might be the only guide you'll ever need. 👇🏾 One of the most common questions I get is, "How should I follow up after a networking call?" Here's the playbook: 1️⃣ Say "Thank You" This is a non-negotiable. Pro tip? Do it fast, have some class, don't make asks. ✨ Translation? ↳ Same day, ideally within 60 minutes. ↳ Be specific, concise, and genuine. ↳ Don't ask any questions or for any favors. ↳ Bonus: Use a loom video to make it personal and unforgettable. (it's the "handwritten card" of 2025). 2️⃣ Close the Loop Have you heard of the 99/1 phenomenon? ↳ 99% of the time you have a coffee chat, the other person will mention a book, article, person, or resource to leverage. ↳ Only 1% will do something with this info. 💡 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 1% 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆. 3️⃣ Add Value You can: ↳ Find out what lights them up and help them accelerate toward it ↳ Find out what keeps them up at night and present a solution to it ↳ Amplify their work ↳ Celebrate their milestones ↳ Aggregate existing data or create new data Ultimately, the secret here is no secret at all. Offering real value demonstrates character and builds relational capital. 💰 And you need to have something in the bank before you make a withdrawal. 4️⃣ Give A (Non-Invasive) Update People 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 to see stories of growth. But people 𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬 to be a part of someone else's growth story. So, what can you do? Share a quick update on your recent wins or progress. Pro tip: ↳ Keep it relevant and concise. ↳ Tie it back to their investment in you, if relevant. 5️⃣ Make An Ask This comes last for a reason. ↳ Only make an ask after you’ve provided value. ↳ Timing and reciprocity are everything. ↳ When you're done, you're back to #1. Rinse and repeat. ---- Great follow-ups aren’t about pestering—they’re about adding value, showing you care, and staying unforgettable. Master these tactics and watch your relationships transform, forever. 🌱 What’s your favorite follow-up move that I forgot? Drop it below! 👇🏾 ---------------- ♻️ Repost to finally give the blueprint to active job seekers and networkers in your community! 🔔 Follow 🔥 Chauncey Nartey, SHRM-SCP, ACC to stay on the cutting edge of modern career wisdom.

The follow-up email that got me the job (and the one that didn't) 📧 BAD follow-up (my actual email from 2019): "Thank you for your time yesterday. I'm very interested in this position and look forward to hearing from you soon." Result: Crickets. 🦗 GOOD follow-up (learned my lesson): "Hi Beth, Thanks for explaining the challenges with your product launch timeline. I've been thinking about our conversation and found this case study that faced similar issues. They solved it by using the approach below. Would love to discuss how this might apply to your situation. Best, Me" Result: Job offer within 48 hours. ✨ Here's what actually works: ✅ Reference a specific conversation detail (shows you were listening) ✅ Add value (article, insight, connection, solution) ✅ Ask a thoughtful follow-up question ✅ Send within 24 hours (not 5 minutes, not 5 days) What doesn't work: ❌ Generic "thank you for your time" templates ❌ Desperately asking about timeline updates ❌ Sending your portfolio again (they already have it) ❌ Following up daily like a clingy ex The best follow-up I ever received as a hiring manager: Candidate sent a one-page strategy doc addressing the exact problem we discussed. Didn't ask for the job - just said "thought you might find this useful." Hired them immediately. Pro tip: Your follow-up should make them think "Wow, imagine having this person on our team" not "Please stop emailing me." What's the boldest follow-up move you've ever made? Did it work? P.S. Emails above actually worked, which landed me positions before I was laid off again. Still haven't found my forever work home, but hoping that changes soon. :) #InterviewTips #FollowUpStrategy #JobSearch #HiringHacks #CareerMoves

Tired of your networking introductions going nowhere? You send an email connecting two people who should meet… and then? Crickets. 🦗 You're not doing it wrong—you’re just doing it the lazy way. Here’s the deal: inboxes are a war zone—full of spam, promos, and chaos. If you casually toss an intro over the fence, it will get buried. Example of a dead-end intro: “Hey Larry, meet my friend Dennis. You two should talk. Go make magic happen!” No context. No value. No action. If you really want to make powerful, outcome-producing connections, here’s the playbook I’ve refined over 20+ years: 1. Know who’s who. Decide who benefits most (the beneficiary) and who’s the generous connector (the benefactor). This gives your intro purpose. 2. Prep the benefactor. Before firing off the email, call or text the benefactor. Give them a quick, compelling reason why the intro is worth their time. 3. Send the intro with intent. Subject line: Introducing Dennis to Larry to connect about [topic] In the body: - Pitch why they should meet. - Sell each other's value. Include LinkedIn links. - Keep it short, relevant, and motivating. 4. Coach the beneficiary right after you hit Send. Make sure they respond quickly, keep it brief, and propose a call or meeting within the week. 5. Follow up. Text the benefactor to say the intro email is in their Inbox. If the connection is important, follow up a week later. If the beneficiary hasn't responded, remind them that you are doing a favor and they need to follow up! Done right, this approach works. Not every intro will convert, but your hit rate will skyrocket—and your reputation as a SuperConnector will grow. As I wrote in Love is the Killer App: 💡 “Your network is your net worth. And it grows as you share it intelligently with others to promote their success.” Let’s raise the bar on how we connect people.

The follow-up move most creatives skip. A proposal goes out. A week passes. Silence. The default move is to send "just checking in" and wait again. There's a better way. Within 48 hours of sending something important, send a second message. Not a nudge. Not a reminder. Something genuinely useful. A piece of content relevant to their current focus. A case study from a brand doing something interesting in their category. An article that connects to something they mentioned. No mention of the original ask. No "did you see my email?" Just value, showing up without an agenda attached. This does two things: It proves you're thinking about their world, not just your pipeline. It gives them a reason to reply that doesn't require them to explain why they haven't moved forward yet. Stop following up with asks. Start following up with answers.