You've made valuable connections at a networking event. How can you ensure they lead to business success?

Most (all?) people have their calendar on their phone. If you have a great conversation that needs a follow up meeting, then simply book the meeting in your calendars (including the invite sending) during the conversation. If the conversation doesn't need a meeting right away then obviously don't do this or it will come across pushy.

Many individuals put the networking event on the calendar, but fail to put time for follow up on the calendar. I like to schedule time for prompt follow up. During the event I also like to try and capture details I can follow up on. Did we chat about a certain book I can recommend? Podcast? Do I have a connection for that person? Following up is not a one-time deal! I try and schedule people during the event for our next meeting or reach out immediately after. I then follow up regularly to stay connected & top of mine. I try to add value every time I connect & follow up!

24 hours if at all possible, but 48 hours will work too. Depending on the purpose of the follow-up, you may bring up something specific. Sometimes it's just a connection with no direct business opportunity and that's ok.

If the conversation is flowing well and I'd like to continue it, I try and book a follow up meeting on the spot. Occasionally, the meeting is busy or one of you gets pulled into another conversation. In that case I usually shoot them an email immediately following the event to book a meeting. At least within 24 hrs

If you have thought of a way to bring them value, like you have a connection to introduce them to, them go ahead and bring that up. If not, you can always ask "what can I do for you?" Another valuable item is a news article or piece of data that relates to your convo and/or their job.

Some connections prefer Linkedin, other texts, and others only phone calls. Stay engaged in the manner that best suits you and also best suits the relationship.

Staying top of mind and providing value as often as possible is the name of the game here. Check in with your connections to share something you believe adds value, a helpful podcast or article, a book you enjoyed, keep it relevant to their business and industry. Also, depending on the relationship and their preferred method of contact. Just sending something over when youre thinking of them can be helpful. Over time, many of my connections have become good friends. I occasionally send a video message just to say hello and see how they're doing. Pay attention for special occasions. Birthdays, anniversaries, trips theyve taken, new life updates, can all be a good time to reach out!

Depending on the purpose of the engagement, you can set different type of meetings. It can be a discovery meeting to see where opportunities may be, a deep dive meeting into their or your solution (if that need was already identified), or even a meeting to bring in someone else of value to the conversation.

Keep it 100% genuine with the relationship nurturing. If you have other intentions like to pitch them your product, then say so, instead of leading it on with something else then catching them off-guard.