What are the do's and don'ts of following up after networking?

Follow up quickly after meeting new contacts – ideally within 24-48 hours. This shows initiative and keeps the connection fresh. Briefly express appreciation and suggest a clear next step (coffee meeting, call, etc.).

Make your follow-up count! Reference specific details from your conversation to show genuine interest. This could be a project, hobby, or shared idea. Personalization stands out and fosters stronger connections.

I generally meet the visitors who attend a BNI meet later at their offices to intrdoduce what we do. I offer them free of cost services for their existing Life Insurance pilicies. These include creating statements of their current policies with cash flow dates, reminders when they pay premium or receive maturity amounts. I also help the register those policies on Insurance company's website. This way I can add a lot of value to their finance management. When ever the visitor needs any info about any exisiting policy or wants to buy a new, he remembers me & contacts me. I also let them know that they can contact me for anything & everything under he sun. When they call me for other than Lif Insurance I refer them to fellow BNi membes.

Don't just follow up, follow up with value. Offer a resource, make a helpful introduction, or share relevant information. This makes you memorable and positions you as a supportive, valuable connection.

In your follow-up, balance warmth with professionalism. Use respectful language, avoid overly casual phrasing, and proofread carefully. This ensures a positive, credible impression.

No immediate reply? Don't fret. A polite reminder after a week is okay. But respect boundaries – two or three follow-ups without a response mean it's time to move on. Persistence is good, but so is respecting their time.

Consistent Follow-Up is the key to success in Business Networking. The Visitors attending Business Networking meetings can be a great source of business if followed correctly. I generally ask them if I can meet them later at their office to introduce what we do. I also ask date of birth of male visitors. This data is then entered in my CRM. With this data I can send them birthday wishes & any offers realated to their age. I also have an area-wise excel list of clients / prospects. This helps me meet them again whenever I am in that area to maximise time management. Many visitors to BNI meets have become my clients. They may not be prepared to buy Life Insurance when they attend a BNI meet, I help them remember me when they want to buy