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My husband and I are getting ready to move, and as we’re packing, we’re coming across boxes we never touched since we moved the last time. You know the ones—the ones you meant to get to later, but then they were out of sight, out of mind!
It can be the same with your networking follow-up, you attend a great networking event, meet several promising contacts, exchange a few business cards, and then life happens. The cards lay on your desk or in your wallet collecting dust, follow-up slips through the cracks, and those valuable connections slowly fade away.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. For many small business owners, the hardest part isn’t showing up. It’s staying organized afterward. That’s where a simple follow-up plan can turn good conversations into real opportunities.
Here’s what I’ve found works best:
Log your contacts right away.
Capture where you met, what you discussed, and any ideas for collaboration while the memory is still fresh. Find a system that works for you. I use Trello for both in-person and virtual networking.
– If it’s in person, I snap a photo of their business card to download into Trello from my cell phone and jot down a quick note to reference later.
– If it’s virtual, I open my Networking Trello Board and create a new card for each standout connection. I make sure to include any contact info they’ve shared and save it for easy follow-up.
Prioritize your next steps.
Not every contact needs the same kind of follow-up. Some may only need a friendly “Nice to meet you!” message, while others could be future collaborators or clients.
I use a follow-up email template that I personalize with something specific we talked about. Then I ask if I can add them to my newsletter list or invite them to schedule a coffee chat.
Set reminders and keep it moving.
Having a structured system makes it easy to follow up and stay in touch. Whether you use a CRM (customer relationship Manager) like Less Annoying CRM, HubSpot or Zoho, an Excel spreadsheet, or a Trello board like I do, the key is choosing a system that helps you stay consistent.
Make the admin part easier.
If the follow-up process is where things fall apart, you don’t have to tackle it all yourself. You can delegate pieces like logging new contacts into your CRM, scheduling reminders, or even reaching out to set up those coffee chats. A little help behind the scenes can keep your networking efforts moving forward—without adding more to your plate.
The goal is simple: make your contacts feel seen, follow up with intention, and show you’re someone they’d want to work with.
A tool that’s been especially helpful for me is my Networking Follow-Up Trello Board. It’s my go-to for keeping track of contacts, notes, and reminders—all in one place. If you’re looking for a better way to stay on top of networking, I’d love to share it with you.
Click here to download the Trello template
It’s free and easy to customize for yourself. I’ve included a short video and guide to help you get started.
Want help tailoring a system that fits your unique process? I’d love to help. Book a free 30-minute discovery call here.