* New Member Special: Get a 1 Year Membership for only $85 (a $35 savings!). This special membership will automatically renew at $10/mo after your first year. More great reasons to join ...
Good Networking = Good Follow-up
posted on July 19, 2005
Networking is not a particularly difficult endeavor. It really comes down to a lot of common sense and the right attitude.
What really sets the good networkers apart from those who aren't as successful is the follow-up. You've go to do what you say you're going to do. Otherwise you'll find networking to be quite ineffective.
This starts with the meeting. It's generally best to confirm your meetings 1-2 days before they're set to happen. Give your fellow networker a call to confirm the time and place of your meeting. This step can save a lot of trouble. Occasionally I'll forget to write down an appointment, or write down the wrong time. You can also clarify that you meant the Kerbey Lane on 183, not the Kerbey Lane on Kerbey Ln. (based on a true story).
Show up to the meeting on time! This may seem like a trivial point, but it's incredibly important. If you can't be on time make sure you have their cell phone number. If I'm going to be even 3 minutes late I will generally call 5 - 10 minutes before the meeting to tell you that. Realize that the people you're networking with are generally very busy people, and their time is valuable. Respect them and their time. They'll respect you.
Then there's the real follow-up. Anytime you say you're going to do something for someone you MUST do it! Don't say you're going to do something if you're not. Again, this may seem like a very silly point but it's critical. Think about your own experience. How do you perceive someone who says they're going to get some information to you, and never follows through. Compared to someone else who quickly provides you with what you needed. It's a night and day comparison. Make sure you're doing this for those you're building relationships with. Heck, if you're going to be successful in business and in life you need to do this for everyone.
Personally I have a really crumby memory. For those of you who've seen the size of my phone you know it's that big because it's my replacement brain (much better memory). Another trick I use quite frequently is business cards. If I tell someone I'm going to do something for them I ask them for a business card. I'll then make a quick note on the back of that card to remind me what I need to do. At the end of the day I have a stack of cards with these notes. I know what I promised to do, and on the other side is all of their contact information.
Develop your own system. Find something that works for you so that you become incredible with your follow-up. I promise it'll be worth the effort.
Scott Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com
What really sets the good networkers apart from those who aren't as successful is the follow-up. You've go to do what you say you're going to do. Otherwise you'll find networking to be quite ineffective.
This starts with the meeting. It's generally best to confirm your meetings 1-2 days before they're set to happen. Give your fellow networker a call to confirm the time and place of your meeting. This step can save a lot of trouble. Occasionally I'll forget to write down an appointment, or write down the wrong time. You can also clarify that you meant the Kerbey Lane on 183, not the Kerbey Lane on Kerbey Ln. (based on a true story).
Show up to the meeting on time! This may seem like a trivial point, but it's incredibly important. If you can't be on time make sure you have their cell phone number. If I'm going to be even 3 minutes late I will generally call 5 - 10 minutes before the meeting to tell you that. Realize that the people you're networking with are generally very busy people, and their time is valuable. Respect them and their time. They'll respect you.
Then there's the real follow-up. Anytime you say you're going to do something for someone you MUST do it! Don't say you're going to do something if you're not. Again, this may seem like a very silly point but it's critical. Think about your own experience. How do you perceive someone who says they're going to get some information to you, and never follows through. Compared to someone else who quickly provides you with what you needed. It's a night and day comparison. Make sure you're doing this for those you're building relationships with. Heck, if you're going to be successful in business and in life you need to do this for everyone.
Personally I have a really crumby memory. For those of you who've seen the size of my phone you know it's that big because it's my replacement brain (much better memory). Another trick I use quite frequently is business cards. If I tell someone I'm going to do something for them I ask them for a business card. I'll then make a quick note on the back of that card to remind me what I need to do. At the end of the day I have a stack of cards with these notes. I know what I promised to do, and on the other side is all of their contact information.
Develop your own system. Find something that works for you so that you become incredible with your follow-up. I promise it'll be worth the effort.
Scott Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com
Author: Scott Ingram
Categories: Business Networking, Networking Tips, Scott Ingram