We’ve all been there.

We’ve all been there.

You meet a bunch of interesting people at an event, swap cards, have great conversations... and then life gets busy. Before you know it, all those potential connections start to gather dust.

𝗦𝗼, 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴?

Here’s the thing about following up: it doesn’t have to be a chore, and it definitely shouldn’t feel transactional.

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹. 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲. 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲.

One of the most memorable follow-ups I’ve ever received happened after I met someone at a conference. Instead of sending a generic “great to meet you” message, they invited me as their guest to a private event they thought I’d find interesting.

For them, it wasn’t about making a sale or asking for something. It was about continuing the conversation in a meaningful way – starting a relationship that mattered.

You don’t need to go all out every time, but here’s what I’ve learned about follow-ups that stand out:

⇢ 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹: Mention something specific you discussed, or a shared idea that resonated.

⇢ 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Don’t just share an article. Share why it’s worth their time or offer an insight they can use right away.

⇢ 𝗕𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹: It’s not about processing a list – it’s about creating a connection that lasts.

Next time you’re tempted to blast out a generic follow-up, ask yourself: Would I open this? Would it make me smile? Would I reply?

Because making a real connection takes thought – and it’s always worth it.

Who knows? Your next follow-up might just spark a new collaboration or even a lifelong friendship.



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