This workshop covers preparation for and follow-up after networking sessions. It discusses researching companies and contacts beforehand, including goals, strengths/weaknesses, and important people. It recommends bringing business cards and notes. For follow-up, it suggests contacting people within 1 week, using email initially, and maintaining connections by offering help without immediate asks. The goal is continuing conversations and establishing future meetings or introductions.

1. Workshop 3:
Preparation, Follow-Up, and Creating
Meaningful Relationships
This workshop will guide students through the process of
company research before a networking session, as well as
effective follow-up after a networking session.
Presenter: Queena Deschene, Event Marketing
@missqueena – 619.630.7086

2. They’re ready to meet. Are you?

3. Preparation:
Who am I and Who can help me?
• How do I determine my goals and objective prior to the networking event?
– Your current position or status
– How can a contact or conversation help my company?
– WIIFM: What’s In It For Me?
– SWOT Analysis: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats
– List of power partners, key contacts
• What aspects or qualities of a company representative should I remember?
– During conversation, level of engagement and demeanor
– High/low level description of his/her position or role in the company
– Business card: appearance, texture, style, weight
• How do I know if someone at the networking session is very important?
– Operations vs. strategic business professional
– Affiliation with the event: sponsor, supporter, or attendee?
– Online research: FollowerWonk, LinkedIn,

4. Who do you want to connect with?

5. Preparation: Event Logistics
• What should I research before a networking event to
minimize time spent getting there?
– Host objectives or initiatives
– Your own personal time commitment
– Event Format, Schedule, types of activities
– Venue Size, $$, Yelp reviews, access, parking
– Method of invitation, organization of event planning
• What materials should I prepare before a networking event
to maximize face time?
– Promotional Materials
– Business cards
– Pen: easy to write on any surface
– Notepad: small and compact
– Business card reader
– Phone camera to help remember the person’s face

6. Event Format: Seminar, Workshop,
Roundtable, Panel, Forum Invitation

7. Seminar example: iMarketers

8. Event Format: Networking, Mixer Invitation

9. Event Format: SD6degrees Mixer example

10. Event Format: Award Ceremony, Dinner,
Gala, Banquet Invitation

11. HKASC 2009 Banquet example

13. Follow-Up:
Continue the conversation
• How long after the networking session should I
wait before I contact someone?
• What are the best means of communication for
follow-up?
• How do I maintain a professional connection if I do
not need anything specific from them right away?
• What are the next steps after the initial follow-up?
• What actions should I take after I have established
a coffee date or a business luncheon?

14. Business Cards:
the exchange and storage
1. Be selective about your
“ask”. Verbally state what
purpose you are giving this
person your card
2. Make quick notes while
you’re in conversation
3. Circle or * the best contact
method
4. Write a date and keyword
you will remember about
this person

15. Timing: Don’t play the dating game
• How long after the networking session should I wait before I
contact someone?
– 24-48 hours is the email standard
– 3 days to 1 week is acceptable, event is still fresh in memory
– Tit for tat: Beyond 1 week reciprocates and prolongs likelihood of
contact’s immediate response in the future
• What are the best means of communication for follow-up?
– 2-3 sentence email is standard
– Phone or voicemail is highly (emotionally) involved and very
touching for the recipient
– If a personal or overly friendly connection was established, save
the text message for later.

16. Stay in touch with an “ask”
• What are the next steps after the initial follow-up?
– Be genuine and stay interested in the other person, find out
more about their goals
– Research the person’s contribution to the company
• What actions should I take after I have established a coffee
date or a business luncheon?
– It may be acceptable to add him/her on LinkedIn
– Know concisely what you want him/her to provide you
– Remind him/her of names/materials/information to bring to the
meeting
• How do I maintain a professional connection if I do not need
anything specific from them right away?
– Send a brief “nice to meet you” email
– Offer your services, even if you don’t need them
– Close the email with a mention of reconnecting in the future

17. Follow-up Etiquette, Examples
• http://www.dailywritingtips.com/email-etiquette/
• http://www.dailywritingtips.com/writing-a-thank-you-note/
• http://www.thank-you-note-samples.com/business-thank-you-
note.html
Dear [Boss' name],
I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful event you arranged. I truly
enjoy working with this group, and the delicious lunch made me like
my job even more! I know I speak for others when I say that I
appreciated the thoughtful gesture and really had a great time.
Thanks again!
Sincerely,