Thursday, February 21, 2013

Great Networkers Follow Up

The more I do it, the more I realize that 1st-class networkers are simply masters of follow-up.
Here's the advice I gave my cousin the other day.
She had met the CEO of an organization at which she would like to work, but won't be in that city for 6 months or so. She knew she needed to keep in touch, but didn't know how.
Here's what I would do:

  1. send a short note, saying thanks, etc. and asking for permission to send a VERY brief periodic update (every 6 weeks or so) just to keep in touch. She'll most likely say yes.
  2. FOLLOW THROUGH RELIGIOUSLY
  3. keep it brief. explain how what you are doing/learning will be beneficial to her or someone she knows. 5 -8 lines. TIGHT. edit and edit and edit.  The goal is to now only have her see that you follow through (execution) but that you are thinking about this issue all the time.  
  4. Then, as you get closer, lock down a date to meet her in person and ask her for advice about what to do.
See step 2. If you don't do this, nothing else matters.

She sent the note, the CEO gave the OK.

We'll see if she delivers.
blog comments powered by Disqus
 
View Comments