Follow up as soon as you can after the meeting. If it was an afternoon/evening event, the next morning. If it was a morning event the same afternoon. You can also create a very basic CRM template in Excel/G-Sheets that can help you track follow up. There are several free templates available. I would also recommend making it a task in your diary. It doesn't have to be long 20-30 mins as designated follow-up time.

That what train journeys are for! Connect on LinkedIn, send a quick email (Great to meet, be good to chat further), add a calandly link (let’s be honest any way to avoid back and forth diary emails are a win) and then let the results happen!

I've always found the best time for networking follow-up to be straight after the meeting. Finding attendees on LinkedIn and connecting with them, jotting down notes about what they do or what we spoke about (before I forget), and sending any follow-up emails or messages where appropriate. Top tip ✨ if it was an online meeting and people dropped LinkedIn links in the chat, open it up and do Ctrl+F to search 'linkedin' and find their links easily. Posting about the networking event on social media and tagging the people you had meaningful conversations with can be a great way to help them feel valued and keep the conversations alive.

Balancing networking follow-ups with work tasks can be tricky, but prioritising helps! Set specific times for follow-ups, like a quick 15-minute slot each day, so it doesn’t interfere with your main work. Tackle urgent or high-value connections first, and don’t be afraid to use reminders or tools to keep you on track. Keep your messages short and to the point to save time. The key is to make networking a part of your routine without letting it take over your day!

1. Use the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks by urgency and importance 2. Block dedicated time for both networking and core work 3. Leverage automation tools for follow-ups and task management 4. Set clear goals for networking outcomes to align with work priorities 5. Practice the "two-minute rule" for quick tasks 6. Regularly review and adjust your task list 7. Use batching for similar activities to improve efficiency Balance relationship-building with productivity by integrating networking into your workflow strategically.

Often I arrange a 1:1 before and after a networking meeting. It means I’m in the zone and focused. You may like to read a copy of the book I co-authored which is packed with networking tips.

Following up with networking contacts will bring more value to the table if you do so as your accomplishments at work arise. Where the two intersect will allow for common ground and interesting topics to be a springboard in the conversation with your new contact. Try it, and see if the synergy is more effective.