We
all know how frustrating it can be when someone new we meet promises
to call us about... send us information on... or provide our name
to... We want you to be successful when you meet new people, and
following through on your promises is the first step. You can
also:
- Send personal
notes to those with whom you meet and connect
- Be
the first to refer business to those you meet
- Send
articles of interest to them
- Take
a close look at the organization whose event you attended; consider
contacting them and offering to write an article for the organization's
publication, or offer to speak at an upcoming event or conference
- Offer
your A-level contacts "free" advice when they have a question;
"serve as a resource" to them
- Call
them for lunch or coffee (where you will listen and ask more
questions about them and their business)
- Add
them to your contact management system and record all of your
interactions and communications with them
- Put
them on newsletter and seminar invitation lists you think would
be of interest to them
- Call
them intermittently just to say hello - reconnect - meet for
coffee (not just if you need something from them)
- Create
a tickler system to "force you" to stay in touch; schedule them
as you would an impending business deadline
- Look
for ways to do joint marketing - to help one another attract
new clients
- Track
your efforts: With whom you are networking, next steps, action
items, results