Over the last few weeks I have received a few messages from fellow Monkeys about networking and a recurring theme is a variation on, "How can I find an excuse to reach out to people I just met at a networking event?" My answer is: Create your OWN excuse!
All of us are put in positions everyday that introduce us to new people. Some of these positions are specifically networking events, others are just casual conversation at the gym or waiting at the valet stand for your vehicle. The person you meet is nice you have a good conversation, exchange information, and go your separate ways.
This is how you create your own excuse to contact that person again within 24 hours:
- The preparation starts when I leave the house/office. I always have a pen and a small notebook that I keep in my suit jacket pocket.
- I attempt to keep the conversation focused on the other person and ask open-ended questions and try to get something unique about that person to come out during the conversation.
- After I get this tidbit I ask for a business card.
- When we part I take out the pen I always carry and jot a note about our conversation on the business card. (The pocket notebook is there incase the person doesn't have a card. I can get all of their contact information quickly.)
- Within 24 hours I send you an email letting you know how nice it was to meet you, I reference our conversation (hence why I jot a note!). There is my excuse. I created it myself. When I learn something unique about someone it gives me a reason to contact them again outside of business.
- I either make plans to meet that person more formally (if we might have some immediate business interests that are in alignment) or I tell them I look forward to seeing them in the future.
- After sending this email I put a note in a tickler file I keep to follow up with that person in a month or so for coffee to keep the connection warm.
The follow up email doesn't have to be long or detailed.
Mr. Johnson, It was great to meet you the other night at XYZ's Charity Gala. It was fascinating to hear you describe your first parachuting experience. I am much too afraid of heights to try it myself. I'd love to get coffee with you later this week if possible. I was hoping we could discuss your business a little further as well as watch the video that was filmed of you jumping out of the plane.
I just created my own excuse to contact someone by being interested in them outside of what they do for a living. This has paid off for me in spades as an easy way for me to get in front of people that I have absolutely no connection with or other reason to invite to coffee.
