Maybe I should be offended. I mean, I think I’m a nice person and all. I try to do all the things I know you’re supposed to do at a networking event. I don’t sell. I’m a good listener. I engage. I follow up after the event.
BUT, that’s where I run into trouble….in the follow up.
In my estimation, only about 3% of attendees of a given networking event ever follow up! 3%!! Even if I follow up first! Even if it’s an event that I put together!
So let’s review. You pay, on average, about $20 to get into a business networking event. You nosh. You have a few drinks. You pass out some business cards. You go home and relax with ESPN (for all you guys) or Real Housewives (for the ladies). Then you go to bed and wake up the next morning and go about your day.
No follow up emails – “Hey, it was great meeting you last night – If I can help you – let me know!”
No offers to meet up with anyone for coffee – “Let’s get together over some coffee to see how we can help each other. Are you available next Tuesday?”
No making networking partner matches – “I know someone who has similar clientele, but in a different industry. Maybe you guys can work together? Can I give her your name?”
And, as a result, certainly no referrals. (But I don’t really expect any right away– you shouldn’t either)
I’ve actually discussed this phenomenon with several people, specifically my personal networking guru Jim Matorin of Smartketing.com. Apparently I’m not alone, and in some weird way, that’s sort of comforting, but it still doesn’t help me understand why people who make the effort to attend networking events don’t follow up!
So I’m curious, you of the 97% of non-follow-uppers, why do you waste two perfectly good hours of time at a networking event if you don’t plan on nurturing those relationships with potential networking partners?
Perhaps you’re not sure how to follow up (Hint: If you follow all of the quoted text above, that’s kind of how to do it!)
Perhaps you NEVER meet anyone to follow up with at a networking event. (Really?? Perhaps you are missing the trees for the forest..)
Perhaps you don’t know whom to follow up with. (Hint: You should always follow up with the event organizer after any event that you attend. More than likely, they know who attended their event and can suggest whom you may want to try and partner up with for further networking – so go ahead and ask!)
Or perhaps you only go for the food……
P.S. To meet professionals who really do follow up and are eager to network (and actually know how to do so), consider joining The Power Lunch Project!
