Oh, So that's what You should do After the Networking Event

How do you follow-up after a networking event?

I'm guilty.  More times than not, most cards I pick up at a networking event get stale.  I follow-up selectively, but this isn't necessarily my intention.   I currently don't have an adequate system, which for me, before I switched to a Mac, was to use a Windows-driven card reader and follow-up with promises I had made during the event.

Connector Jeremy Epstein posts a great approach and system to following-up to a networking event using social media tools.  In short, he immediately sends an email referencing something said or promised and then invites his new acquaintance to be his friend.  He takes an immediate first step to build a relationship. 

It's about Intimate Relationships.

Interviewer Ron Sukenick goes Beyond Networking to discuss in regular podcasts what to do after the networking event.  In an interview with Linked-in expert, Jason Alba, Jason states that LinkedIn is currently the most relevant social networking site for business people and shares some of the common mistakes made by new users and how to use LinkedIn's built-in polling and recommendation features. 

Jason points out that as LinkedIn is an outstanding tool, it's only a tool, and "what you really want is the relationships."

So, this is the beginning of the answer to the question, "How does one use social networking to enhance sales?"  How do you use social networking tools after the networking event?

Cartoon Credit:  weblogcartoons.com

Comments

[jer979]

Thanks for the link love. Like your take on it and good luck.

BTW, how did you come across my blog?

[Rick]

Your welcome; thanks for the comment. I found your blog when I read Rohit's post http://rohitbhargava.typepad.com/weblog/2008/05/a-different-app.html summarizing the May 1st book signing (I RSVP'd but missed it--you were there; I could have met you and then been invited to "exchange coordinates digitally." ;^) )

I was curious about the link at the bottom of Rohit's post, "blog reactions," and found your trackbacked post link.

It's interesting how you and I are "networking" via the Blogosphere.