The Art of the Follow-Up: What to Do After a Networking Event to Turn Connections into Clients
- jordan
- 13 minutes ago
- 2 min read
You showed up, made great connections, and left with a stack of business cards or a dozen new LinkedIn contacts. But what happens after the event is just as important as what happens during it.
In fact, the real power of networking lies in the follow-up.
Whether you're a solo attorney, small business owner, or growth-minded entrepreneur, strategic follow-up can turn casual connections into paying clients.
The key is simple: a system that’s personal, repeatable, and doesn’t eat up all your time.
Here’s how to follow up effectively.
1. Organize your contacts
Before you follow up, get organized. Capture everything while the event is fresh in your mind.
Upload contact details from business cards, event apps, or emails into a CRM or spreadsheet.
Categorize contacts by interest level, industry, or service relevance.
Add personal notes to remind you of your conversations (for example: “Has a podcast,” “Needs help with billing,” “Interested in SEO support”).
2. Send a thoughtful first message
A timely, personalized follow-up message sets you apart and keeps the conversation going.
Reach out within 48 hours of the event.
Reference a specific detail from your conversation.
Offer a next step, such as a Zoom chat or resource you promised.
3. Connect on social media
Staying connected digitally keeps you top of mind without being intrusive.
Send a LinkedIn connection request with a custom note.
Follow new contacts on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram if relevant to your industry.
Engage with their posts occasionally to stay visible.
4. Nurture the relationship over time
Don’t stop after one message! Relationships need consistent, authentic touchpoints.
Add contacts to your email list (with permission).
Share useful content based on their interests.
Set quarterly reminders to check in or offer value.
5. Track outcomes and refine your strategy
Not every connection becomes a client, but every interaction can teach you something.
Log which contacts turn into meetings, referrals, or clients.
Note what kinds of messages get responses.
Adjust your outreach process based on results.
Let a VA do the heavy lifting for you
Smart follow-up doesn’t have to be time-consuming. With the right process (and the right support) you can build a powerful post-networking strategy that grows your business while staying aligned with your values and communication style.
That’s where we come in. At Assistants 4 Hire, our virtual assistants can help you organize your leads, manage ongoing outreach, track engagement, and make sure your networking efforts turn into meaningful business opportunities. Let’s work together to make your follow-up process efficient, effective, and tailored to your goals.
Ready to streamline your follow-up strategy? Reach out to learn how we can support your next big networking win.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you document, train, and future-proof your operations!
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Written by Jordan McAndrew
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