How to follow up after a networking event

The event is the introduction. The follow-up is the relationship. Send one short message within two days, while the conversation is still fresh.

Send it within two days

A message sent within two days lands while you are still a face, not a name on a list. After a week, even a warm conversation has cooled.

Keep it short and specific

Three or four sentences. Say where you met, name one thing from the conversation, and suggest one next step. Or suggest none at all. A note with no ask is still a relationship started.

An example you can copy

Hi [Name], great meeting you at [event]. I enjoyed our conversation about [topic]. Would you be open to coffee next week?

What not to do

Do not pitch in the first message. Do not add someone to a mailing list without asking. Do not follow up five times. Once, warmly, is enough.

If they do not reply

No reply is information, not rejection. Some people are busy, some inboxes are chaos. Move on kindly and keep showing up.

Words to know: follow-up, warm introduction, one-on-one, referral.