Following Up With a New Contact

You’ve collected a business card or email. Or, maybe you’ve made a valuable new connection at a business function. Now what? Here are some quick and effective ways to follow up with a new contact.

1. Send a ‘thinking of you’ message via email. Mention something that you spoke about, or something that you think may be of interest to your new contact. To take any pressure off of them, you may want to include a ‘no need to respond’ in the message.
2. Change the channel! Always interact with your new contacts via social media? Try email, send a card in the mail, send a text, or even pick up the phone for a quick call.
3. Create a community experience. Does your new contact enjoy wine? Invite them to a wine tasting with a few other friends who want to learn more about wine. Voila! You’ve created a community experience with you at the center.

When reaching out to new people, it’s important to remember that you are investing in a relationship. Be yourself while always offering something meaningful, authentic, and of value to the other person.