How is your follow up? The fact is, as business owners, we are so busy trying to make the next dollar that when we make a new connection we have great intentions of following up, but it doesn’t always happen and, if it does, it doesn’t happen the right way.
Once you have made an initial contact with someone what’s next for you? Do you go right back to what you were doing with intentions of following up later? So, how do you keep connected and build a relationship with the new connection into something that is long lasting? It is all about the follow up.
The Best Ways to Follow Up
Today, I am going to share with you 10 ways that you can follow up, stay connected and build relationships after that initial exchange of information.
#1 – Follow up with an email
Just a brief email saying you enjoyed meeting them and be sure to make a reference to a talking point you had a conversation about. This will help continue that conversation and also remind them of who you were in case they have forgotten.
#2 – Send or suggest a resource
In your initial follow up email or, better yet, in a second one, you can send them the link to a blog, webinar or another resource on the topic you discussed at the event. This shows them you listened, remembered and took the next step to provide additional information they may need.
#3 – Invite for virtual coffee/phone call
If your email conversation continues, that is a great time to invite them to have a phone call or Skype to discuss things further in a more relaxed method.
#4 – Connect on social media sites
Everyone these days has a profile on at least one social media site. Find theirs (usually on their website or business card) and connect with them. It only takes a minute and you can learn a lot about what their likes and dislikes are, the restaurants they frequent or the types of items they purchase, all from simply connecting with them on social media.
#5 – Like their Business Page or join their group on LinkedIn and Facebook
Connecting to their business page on Facebook is usually preferred for a business connection unless they specifically ask you to connect with their personal profile page. Liking or following their business Facebook page as well as their LinkedIn profile will help you keep up to date on what is happening with them in business as well as giving you additional avenues to continue building that relationship.
#6 – Comment on their blog
If they have a blog on their site, be sure to read and comment on it shortly after your initial meeting. Make a reference to the conversation you had at the event if it is relevant to the topic of the blog and you are adding value or credibility for them.
#7 – Join in on a Twitterchat, Periscope or a Blab
If they host or participate in, or referenced a Twitterchat, Periscope or a Blab that they like and is relevant to your business as well, connect to it and participate with comments, etc. Or, if you have one to suggest to them based on your conversation then send it to them via a tweet.
#8 – Do an introduction
During your initial conversation did they mention a need that one of your connections could help meet? Then introduce them to each other via social media or email. Helping solve a need is a sure fire way to solidify any business relationship.
#9 – Give a referral
Is their product or service something that one of your connections might need or be interested in learning more about? This is another great reason to do an introduction via email or social media. You will help your new connection with a potential new customer as well as your previous connection by filling a need they may have. This is a definite win-win!
#10 – Meet in person
ONLY AFTER doing a few of the above follow up methods and finding you have synergy and a reason to meet in person should you make that suggestion. Make sure it is a location that is convenient for both of you and a comfortable atmosphere, like a coffee shop or a restaurant for lunch.
Following up after an initial meeting is essential in building business relationships. These 10 best ways can be used alone or in combination to solidify and grow an initial connection into a long lasting relationship that is beneficial to both of you. If you want to follow up with a video message, here is ideas how to do that.
What are your favorite ways to follow up? I listed mine above. Let’s discuss.
