Following up with networking peers is a must for all entrepreneurs, though it’s often a task we avoid. Why? Two reasons, primarily. First, we forget. Second, most of us don’t want to be a pest. We’d love to continue the conversations with our networking friends, but we don’t want to feel icky and inauthentic in the process. Add our busy calendars to the mix, and we get total follow-up failure!
Thankfully, you can implement a follow-up process filled with love and vulnerability. Let’s dive in.
VIDEO:
BLOG POST:
Answer this question honestly: How do you feel about following up?
Do you feel like you’re being a pest? Like a used car salesperson? Like it’s a dirty, icky process?
If you do, then that’s the first obstacle to overcome. You need to pivot your mindset. It won’t happen overnight, but here’s what I want you to remember:
Following Up Is An Act of Love
Write that down and post it over your workspace. Tattoo it to your forehead. Whatever you need to do to remember this important message.
When you’re following up with someone, you are showing an act of love. You are curious about how she is doing and how you can help. Doesn’t that feel better than “I am following up with you because I want you to refer clients to me?”
Change your mindset about following up, remembering it’s an act of love, and you will feel instantaneously better about the whole process.
How to Follow Up
Now that we’ve addressed your mindset, let’s talk about how you’re following up. Most entrepreneurs rely on email to follow up. It’s easy and less pretentious, and you can turn out emails quickly.
I want to encourage you to think about other ways to follow up lovingly. Really, the sky’s the limit, but here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Snail Mail: Send a greeting card, letter, or postcard.
- Small Gift: A token of appreciation can go a long way.
- E-cards: Check out Jacquie Lawson e-cards for something special.
- Facebook Messenger: You can even record a video.
- Phone Call: A personal touch that can make a big difference.
- Text Message: Simple and effective.
Think “pattern interrupt” when choosing your follow-up methods. People expect (and ignore) emails. They may not expect a phone call or e-card. How can you capture your networking peer’s attention in a loving way? That’s the follow-up method to use.
And because you are infusing so much joy and love into how you’re following up, guess what will happen? You won’t dread it, and you won’t feel like a pest when you reach out.
Creating a Follow-Up Process
Now it’s time to turn this into a process. A process doesn’t have to be a complicated flow chart; it can be just a tickler in your calendar to remind you to do a task.
With that in mind, here’s what I recommend: Follow-Up Fridays!
Every Friday, spend time following up with your networking peers. Add the time to your calendar and specify who you need to follow up with. It doesn’t need to be a lot of time either—sometimes 15 minutes does the trick.
When you do two to three Follow-Up Fridays, you will have created a habit that will make the entire process automatic for you. You won’t have to think about it! It’s Friday…time to follow up!
I like Fridays because it’s alliterative, but you can choose any day of the week. The idea is to create a habit and use your calendar, which you’re probably bound to anyway, to help you get it done.
Why You Should Follow Up
Our networking peers have the best of intentions. They want to refer clients to you and get to know you better. It’s our job to keep ourselves “top of mind.” That’s the beauty of this authentic follow-up process. You are sending gentle, loving reminders that will make your networking colleague feel wonderful!
By working on your mindset and varying your follow-up methods, you’ll push past the “I am being a pest” block. The result? An enjoyable, love-filled follow-up process that you’ll love implementing!
MORE RESOURCES:
Here are other resources to support your networking journey:
Virtual Networkers: My global virtual networking organization for women entrepreneurs.
Weekly Connect Newsletter: Subscribe for networking and marketing tips, plus the upcoming week’s Virtual Networkers schedule.
Celestial Love Notes: Begin your free subscription to my daily inspirational emails, full of love and empowerment.
My Book, That First Client: Learn how to create an effective marketing system that will always attract clients to your business.
My Book, Loud Woman: Get inspired to be louder in your life and business.