You did it. Hopefully you followed some of the tips I shared last week.
You went to the networking event. You had some good conversations. You collected a few business cards (or maybe just took a photo of them on your phone because it’s 2025 and who carries actual cards anymore?).
You drive home feeling pretty good about yourself. Maybe you even felt like you made a real connection with someone.
And then… nothing.
The cards sit on your desk. The names in your phone just sit there. Days turn into weeks, and suddenly so much time has passed that reaching out would feel…weird.
Sound familiar?
Or maybe you’re on the other side of this. Maybe you’re really good about following up. You send that email within 24 hours, just like you’re supposed to.
But here’s the thing: your follow-up sounds exactly like the seventeen other follow-up emails that person received from the same event. It’s professional. It mentions connecting. And it probably includes some version of “I’d love to jump on a call to discuss how we might work together.”
In other words, it’s a sales pitch wrapped in networking language.
And friend, that’s where most people drop the ball.
Because here’s the truth: the follow-up is where networking either dies or comes alive. It’s where connections either turn into relationships or fade into that black hole of “we should grab coffee sometime” that never actually happens.
So let’s talk about how to do it right.
The 24-Hour Window (And Why It Matters)
First things first: timing matters.
You want to follow up within 24 hours of meeting someone. Not because there’s some magic networking rule (though everyone will tell you there is). But because that’s when you’re both still fresh in each other’s minds.
They remember your conversation. You remember what they said. The connection feels real because it was.
Wait too long, and you become just another name they vaguely remember from that event three weeks ago. They’ll have to scroll through their memory trying to place you, and you’ve already lost the momentum.
But, and this is important, speed doesn’t mean you should fire off a generic template message just to check the box.
Take a few minutes. Think about your conversation. What did they actually say that interested you? What story did they share? What challenge or goal did they mention?
That’s your starting point.
The Message That Actually Connects
Here’s what most follow-up messages sound like:
“Hi [Name], it was great meeting you at [Event]. I really enjoyed our conversation about [vague topic]. I’d love to continue the conversation and explore ways we might be able to work together. Are you available for a quick call next week?”
Ugh. I’m tired just reading that.
Now here’s what a genuine follow-up looks like:
“Hey Sarah, it was so great meeting you last night at the chamber event. Your story about how you started your catering business after your daughter’s wedding really stuck with me—I love that you turned something so personal into your passion. I hope the holiday season treats you well with lots of bookings!”
See the difference?
The second one is specific. It shows you actually listened. It references something real from your conversation. And most importantly, it doesn’t ask for anything.
That specificity is everything. It proves you weren’t just collecting business cards and going through the motions. You were present. You cared enough to remember what they said. You cared about them.
And honestly? That alone sets you apart from about 90% of follow-ups people receive.
What NOT to Do (Seriously, Don’t Do This)
Let me be really clear about something: do not use your follow-up message to pitch your services.
I know. I know you’ve been told that you need to “strike while the iron is hot” and “capitalize on the connection” and all that garbage.
But here’s what actually happens when you pitch in your follow-up:
The person realizes that the entire conversation was just a setup for this moment. They realize that you weren’t actually interested in them. You were interested in what they could do for you. They realize that the whole “connection” was just a sales tactic.
And trust me, people can smell that a mile away.
Even if they’re too polite to say anything, you’ve just lost any chance of building a real relationship with them. You’ve shown your hand, and it’s all about you.
So resist that urge. Just… connect. Be a human. Show genuine interest.
Humans first, business second. Always.
Adding Value Without Expectation
Now, if you want to take your follow-up to the next level, include something helpful.
This is where you show that you weren’t just listening during the conversation—you actually thought about them afterward.
Maybe they mentioned they’re trying to figure out social media for their business. Send them a link to a podcast episode, book or article you found helpful.
Maybe they said they’re looking for a good bookkeeper. Introduce them to yours (with permission, of course).
Maybe they’re dealing with a challenge you’ve faced before. Share what worked for you, or point them to a resource that helped you figure it out.
The key here is: no strings attached.
You’re not sending them something helpful so they’ll feel obligated to hire you. You’re not sharing a resource as a sneaky way to pitch your services.
You’re genuinely trying to help another human being because that’s what good people do.
“If you ever need an intro to [someone in your network], happy to connect you.”
“I remembered you mentioned struggling with [specific thing], so I thought of you when I came across this article.”
“I know a great [whatever they need]. Do you want me to send you their info?”
Giving before getting. That’s the secret. That’s what builds real relationships.
The Art of Staying Lightly Visible
Okay, so you’ve sent that initial follow-up. Great. Now what?
This is where a lot of people either disappear completely or swing too far in the other direction and become that person who’s always in your inbox asking to “circle back” or “touch base.”
Don’t be either of those people.
Instead, stay lightly visible. Show up in their world without being pushy or hovering.
Here’s what that looks like:
Comment on their social media posts occasionally. Not every post. Not with some salesy comment. Just genuine engagement. If they share something about their business, celebrate it. If they post about a personal win, congratulate them. Be a real person who’s genuinely interested in their life.
Share things they might find interesting. Did you see an article about their industry? Send it their way with a quick “Thought you might find this interesting!” Send it with no agenda, ust sharing something relevant.
Celebrate their wins publicly. When they announce something exciting, be one of the people cheering them on. A comment, a share, a genuine “This is amazing!” goes a long way.
Remember the little things. Did they mention their daughter’s graduation was coming up? Send a quick “Hope the graduation went well!” message. Were they nervous about a big presentation? Check in afterward to see how it went.
This isn’t about strategy or manipulation. This is about genuinely caring about the people you’ve connected with.
Because here’s the thing: when you show up consistently as someone who cares, who remembers, who celebrates others without wanting anything in return, something magical happens.
You become someone people trust.
When Relationships Turn Into Opportunities
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “This all sounds great, Paula, but when does it actually turn into business?”
Fair question.
Here’s the honest answer: sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, and sometimes never in the way you expect.
But here’s what I’ve seen happen over and over again:
When you build relationships based on genuine care and trust—not transactions—people think of you when opportunities come up.
Maybe they don’t need your services right now, but their friend does. And because they trust you and genuinely like you, they make that introduction.
Maybe months down the road, they do need what you offer. And you’re the first person they think of—not because you’ve been hounding them, but because you’ve been present, helpful, and trustworthy.
Maybe they’re in a conversation with someone who needs exactly what you provide, and your name comes up naturally because you’ve stayed top of mind in the best possible way.
The opportunities that come from real relationships are always better than the ones that come from aggressive networking tactics.
They’re warmer, and they’re more likely to close. And they come with a level of trust already built in.
But here’s the key: you can’t approach relationship-building with a “what’s in it for me” mentality.
If you’re only being helpful and present because you want something in return, people will sense that. And it won’t work.
You have to genuinely care. You have to actually want to help people succeed, whether or not it benefits you directly.
And when you do that? When you show up as someone who gives without keeping score? That’s when the magic happens.
The Long Game of Trust
Building real relationships takes time.
In our instant-gratification world, that can feel frustrating. We want results now. We want to send a follow-up email and have someone immediately become a client or refer us business.
But that’s not how trust works.
Trust is built slowly, through consistent small actions. Through showing up. Through being helpful without expectation. Through remembering and caring about people even when there’s nothing immediate in it for you.
It’s a long game, and it requires patience.
But I promise you: the relationships you build through this approach are worth so much more than a stack of business cards from people you’ll never talk to again.
These are the relationships that sustain your business through slow seasons. Relationships that refer clients to you for years. Relationships that turn into genuine friendships, not just professional connections.
These are the people who show up for you when you need help, who celebrate your wins like they’re their own, who think of you first when opportunities arise.
And it all starts with how you follow up after that first conversation.
The Follow-Up Framework You Can Actually Use
Let me make this super practical for you. Here’s a simple framework for following up that actually builds relationships:
Within 24 hours: Send a personal message that references something specific from your conversation. No pitch. Just genuine connection and maybe something helpful if it feels natural.
Over the next few weeks: Engage with their content on social media occasionally. Not every post, but when something resonates or when you have something genuine to say.
Within the first month: If it makes sense, send them something valuable: an article, a resource, an introduction. Again, send it with no strings attached.
Ongoing: Stay lightly visible. Show up when it matters. Remember the important things. Celebrate their wins. Be someone they’re genuinely glad to know.
That’s it. It’s not complicated. It’s just consistent, genuine care.
The Bottom Line
Look, networking follow-up doesn’t have to feel sleazy or transactional.
It can be as simple as being a good human. Remembering what people said. Showing genuine interest in their lives and businesses. Helping when you can. Staying present without being pushy.
You don’t need fancy email templates or aggressive sales tactics.
You just need to care, really care. About the people you meet and the relationships you’re building.
Because at the end of the day, business is about relationships. And relationships are built on trust. And trust comes from showing up consistently as someone who gives more than they take.
So the next time you walk out of a networking event with a handful of new contacts, remember: your follow-up isn’t about closing a deal. It’s about opening a door to a real relationship.
And those relationships? They’re worth so much more than any immediate sale could ever be.
Let’s Stay Connected
If this resonates with you. If you’re tired of the transactional side of networking and you want to build real, genuine relationships in your business, I’d love to hear from you.
Send me a message and let’s chat. Not because I want to sell you something, but because I genuinely love connecting with other business owners who are trying to do this thing with heart and integrity.
And hey, maybe we’ll end up working together someday, or maybe we’ll just be two people who cheer each other on from afar. Either way, I’m here for it.