The 24-7-30 follow-up approach

Here's a great tip on how to stay in touch with people you meet at networking events. From Andy Lopata in the UK...

I'm often asked about how to follow up contacts you meet at a networking event.

One of the most popular processes I share was outlined by a delegate on one of my workshops a few years ago. The 24-7-30 approach is based on the principle that interacting with someone three times in the month after meeting them cements your relationships.

The approach dictates that you follow up with someone 24 hours after an event, 7 days later and again after 30 days.

Although I don't practice this as a matter of course, if I look back at the people who have become an integral part of my network after meeting at events, this pattern definitely applies. It may be an email, phone call and meeting. Or email, meeting and follow up. But those three touches in a month are certainly present.

Starting a conversation with someone you don't know.

For any service business it is hard to avoid the fact that your personal ability to communicate is a huge factor in your success. After all, your clients, prospects, and referrers all need to trust you. And to trust you they need to like you - and have some understanding of who you are.

Creating conversation is at the core. And it is nowhere more important than when you are 'networking'.

Now don't cringe when I say 'networking'. The art of making conversation with people is essential. It doesn't matter whether you call it networking or just plain being friendly.

In this article by Penelope Trunk there are some excellent points made about creating conversation with people you don't know (yet).

"You don’t need to be extroverted to be a great conversationalist; you need to care about other people."

Penelope highlights an interviewer who always finds something to talk about with the interviewee, even when she doesn't know about the field they work in.

Read the article - it's worth it.

Penelope sums it up by saying...

"Of course, in order to practice this you have to open yourself up for some awkward situations. But there is no way to grow without being awkward at first, so try it."

If you ask me, that is excellent advice.