How to Follow Up After Networking Without Feeling Awkward

You’ve met this really cool chick after a networking event and now it’s time to leave. The networking event is over. You got her business card, followed her on social media, and now you go home for a little Netflix and chill.

AND THEN YOU’LL NEVER HEAR FROM THEM AGAIN.

The next time you show up at the same event you’ll say things like, “We really need to get coffee soon!” “What have you been up to?” “The last event was so neat!”

AND THEN YOU’LL BLAME NETWORKING.

But what happens so often is business owners show up, ready to connect but they let things fizzle on the back end.

Networking doesn’t end when the event does. A strong business network is built not just by showing up consistently, but by nurturing the relationships you make between encounters.

Here are some steps you can take to stay connected with people without feeling awkward 👉

SCHEDULE FOLLOW UP DATES

Before you attend a networking event have several days already available to pencil coffee in on the spot. You don’t have to worry about spending the entire event with one connection and the chance of reconnection is close to 100%. Being ready to commit shows intention and openness. It shows, “I’m willing and ready to contribute to our success.”

STAY CONNECTED ON SOCIALS

If you’ve been to a networking event already, you know how easy it is to lose a connection on social media. Weeks later you’re wondering if the person you met was a figment of your imagination or if you really did spend an hour chatting before committing to follow their socials. After you hit the “follow” button on their account, add them as a “favorite account” so you’re alerted when new content is posted. Engagement on social media is one of the best (free) ways to cheer someone on!

SEND A PERSONAL NOTE

Handwritten thank you note to their office, a 7Brew gift card, or forwarding a relatable social media post as a “thinking of you!” Nurturing doesn’t look expensive. It doesn’t look complicated. It looks intentional and thoughtful. Think of the vibes. What makes sense? Do that.

SHARE SOMETHING RELEVANT

You don’t always need to manufacture a reason to reach out. If you see an article, resource, event, introduction, or opportunity that genuinely makes you think of someone you met, send it. “Thought you might find this interesting” is a perfectly valid reason to reopen a conversation.

Following up on a sparked connection can feel awkward and scary if you’re not usually the one to take that step.

But some of the strongest, deepest connections I’ve made was because I was willing to take a step so someone else didn’t have to. The first one is always the hardest and sometimes it feels like no one will be there to catch you.

BUT THAT’S WHY WE ARE BUILDING THE NETWORK FROM CENTER OUT.

So when you take a step, there’s always an established net there waiting. You can’t wait until you need it to build and nurture your network.

The best networking strategy doesn’t end when the event does. Follow up, stay visible, and give the relationship somewhere to go. Take this as a sign to reconnect with someone you met recently at a networking event!

Day 22 of 30 days of writing something every day!