Networking is an excellent method to get access to business opportunities that are new in the event that you’re seeking a job or finding new customers and suppliers in your field. Meet-ups, tradeshows, or seminars, as well as other industry-related events, are great places to meet new people and begin the process of forming new business relationships. However, individuals typically only have a short amount of time to attend these events, and they can be overwhelmed by the volume of people they meet. Therefore, keeping in touch is crucial to the longevity of a new relationship.
Below are some helpful tips on how to follow up in a manner to help you reach your goals without irritating potential employers or potential partners.
1.) Make a plan.
Before you spend your time with the prospect of a follow-up email or phone call, consider the kind of relationship you’d like to have with them or their business. Perhaps you have been in contact with them and would like to know your position in comparison to others who applied. Or you could be in a position that you’d like your businesses to cooperate in the coming years. Whatever the reason behind trying to reach out, it is important to have a purpose in mind and devote most of your time developing a relationship to aid you in achieving your target.
2.) Refresh their memories.
Don’t be assuming that people will be able to remember you, regardless of the impact you believe you had. If you follow up make sure to remind them of your name, the place you are located, what you discussed about, as well as any other pertinent details that could strengthen your impression of them. If you spare them from having to recall all the details you mentioned, they will be able to focus on the reason you’re trying to reach them and the benefits they can benefit from by responding.
3.) Plan a time to talk or to meet again.
It is possible that you didn’t have the time to discuss your concerns in your first meeting. When you follow up you should set a date within the next few days when you will have a comprehensive conversation about a possible collaboration or employment possibility. When you do this the follow-up conversation can be short and succinct and will allow you to plan for a deeper discussion later on.
4.) Follow your dream.
When you finally get the chance to speak in length about the potential business partners that you and your partner may develop, think of the reasons you would like to collaborate with this person. Bring your objectives to the forefront of your mind and seek out the kind of partnership you want to establish. The second meeting may decide the course of your success in the future – take advantage of it!
5.) Contact them and ask if they should not bother them anymore.
In certain situations, the follow-up phone or email message may be disregarded. You can try trying another avenue. If you have made a phone call, consider sending writing an email or posting messages on social media. If multiple attempts are not received or receive an unsatisfactory response, you may ask the person if they should not bother following up at all. This strategy can lead to two results. One, the person could be a bit unresponsive and then decide not to pursue any business relations at the moment. The other is that the person might not give you the attention you’ve been hoping for. They could have had you at your back heads but had other things to do prior to that. Once you’ve made a stance, they might take a more active role to take things in the right direction to ensure they don’t miss out on the chance to work with you.
The process of following up can take time. In any event, it is important to be courteous and considerate of someone’s time while using this procedure. If you are sending out emails every day until someone’s response could upset them, so you should balance your efforts. It’s important to be yourself and not appear too formal or casual if that’s not your fashion. If you have enough experience and a solid set of communications skills making new acquaintances and concluding new deals will be a natural process.
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