Networking events are full of potential new faces, fresh ideas, and genuine conversations. But once the buzz of the event fades, what really counts is what happens next. Following up is where relationships take shape, trust begins to form, and new opportunities start to grow.
If you’ve ever left a networking event in Kent wondering what to do with all those new connections, this guide is for you. We’ll explore how to follow up in a friendly, professional way that feels natural and how to turn those first chats into lasting business relationships.
Why Following Up Matters
Attending a business networking event is only half the story. The real success comes from what you do afterwards, how you reconnect, continue the conversation, and build meaningful relationships. A thoughtful follow-up helps you stand out from the crowd and keeps you at the forefront of someone’s mind long after the event ends.
Following up isn’t about sending out sales pitches or quick wins. It’s about showing genuine interest, creating trust, and adding value to your local business community.
Let’s look at what makes following up so important.
Building Relationships, Not Just a Contact List
Networking works best when it’s personal. Treat each contact as a potential collaborator, not just another name in your phone. The aim is to build mutual understanding and trust that leads to opportunities down the line.
Staying Top of Mind
People remember those who make the effort to stay in touch. A friendly message or comment on social media can go a long way in reminding someone who you are and what you do without feeling pushy.
Strengthening the Local Business Community
Every follow-up strengthens Kent’s wider business network. When local businesses support one another, everyone benefits, whether it’s through referrals, shared resources, or new collaborations.
Next, we’ll explore how to prepare for a strong follow-up before you even leave the event.
Preparing for the Follow-Up Before You Leave the Event
A great follow-up actually begins during the event itself. The more present, attentive, and organised you are while networking, the easier it becomes to reconnect meaningfully later on. Small actions taken in the moment can make your follow-up messages feel natural, personal, and genuine, not forced or forgettable.
Being intentional about how you engage during the meeting sets the stage for a smoother relationship afterwards. Here’s how to get it right while you’re still in the room.
Make Notes While It’s Fresh
After each conversation, jot down a few key details about the person you’ve met, what they do, what they’re looking for, or a personal detail you connected over. These small notes will help you craft thoughtful, specific messages later on, showing you genuinely listened.
Connect on the Spot
If the chat goes well, consider connecting on LinkedIn before you even leave. A quick “great to meet you” message, paired with your face and name, helps keep you memorable. It’s an effortless way to bridge the gap between an in-person introduction and an online connection.
Offer Value First
Networking thrives on give and take. Before you part ways, think about how you can help. Maybe you can introduce them to someone useful, share an idea, or offer support. Leading with generosity makes future conversations much easier and far more genuine.
With those foundations in place, your follow-up will feel more like continuing a good conversation than starting a cold one.
Next, we’ll look at how to make that first follow-up count once you’re back at your desk.
The First Follow-Up – Timing and Tone
You’ve met some great people, had a few promising chats, and swapped details, now it’s time to reach out. The first follow-up is where many people hesitate, unsure of what to say or when to say it. But getting this part right is key to building lasting business relationships.
Your goal here isn’t to sell, it’s to reconnect in a friendly, professional way that keeps the conversation going. A thoughtful message shows that you valued the interaction and are genuinely interested in staying in touch.
When to Reach Out
Timing is everything. Try to follow up within 24 to 48 hours of the event, while the conversation is still fresh in both your minds. Waiting too long can make your message feel like an afterthought, while following up too soon might seem rushed.
A good rule of thumb is to reach out on the next working day, it gives you a moment to reflect and craft a personal, well-considered message.
What to Say in Your Message
Keep it light, personal, and specific. Mention something you discussed at the event, perhaps a shared interest, a business topic, or a goal they mentioned. Express that you enjoyed meeting them and suggest a simple next step, like meeting for a coffee or a follow-up chat online.
Avoid turning it into a sales pitch. Think of it as the start of a longer conversation rather than a one-time transaction.
Choose the Right Channel
Email and LinkedIn are ideal for professional follow-ups, depending on how you connected. A short, warm message works best, it only needs to be two or three sentences that are easy to read and easy to reply to. If you promised to share a resource or make an introduction, include it here to show you’re reliable and engaged.
Once that first contact is made, it’s all about keeping the connection alive. Next, we’ll explore how to nurture these new relationships over time in a way that feels genuine and natural.
Nurturing the Relationship Over Time
Following up once is a great start, but meaningful business relationships grow through consistency. Staying in touch doesn’t have to be time-consuming, it’s about genuine engagement and simple gestures that show you care. Over time, these small efforts help you build trust and stay connected within Kent’s wider business community.
By keeping in touch without expectation, you create space for natural opportunities to arise, whether that’s a collaboration, referral, or friendship. Here’s how to keep your networking relationships warm and active long after the first meeting.
Stay Engaged on Social Media
Social platforms like LinkedIn make it easy to stay connected in a genuine way. Comment on posts, share their updates, and celebrate their wins. It keeps you visible and reminds people that you’re supportive and approachable, not just there when you need something.
Keep in Touch Without an Agenda
Regular contact doesn’t always need a purpose. Sending a friendly message to check in, sharing a useful article, or simply saying hello keeps the conversation flowing naturally. It shows that you value the relationship beyond immediate business needs.
Invite Them to Another Event
Sometimes the best way to reconnect is face-to-face. Inviting a contact to a relaxed Synergy Networking meeting or one of our free netwalking events is an easy, informal way to keep the relationship alive. It also gives them a chance to meet others in the Kent business community and strengthen their own network too.
Building strong connections takes time, but with steady communication, those initial introductions can grow into real opportunities.
Next, we’ll explore how to recognise when it’s the right moment to turn these relationships into clients.
Turning Relationships into Clients
By now, you’ve built trust, stayed in touch, and shown genuine interest, all the ingredients for a strong professional relationship. The next step is recognising when that connection naturally evolves into a business opportunity. Turning a contact into a client isn’t about pushing for a sale; it’s about spotting the right moment to offer help and making it clear how you can add value.
When handled with care, this stage feels more like helping a friend than selling to a stranger. Here’s how to approach it the right way.
Look for Win-Win Opportunities
Mutual benefit is the heart of good business. Before suggesting a collaboration or service, think about how both sides can gain. Maybe you can support their next project, refer a client, or share a useful connection. When your proposal helps them as much as it helps you, it feels natural and welcomed.
Ask for the Sale Naturally
When you sense that your skills or services could genuinely solve a problem they’ve mentioned, it’s fine to bring it up, just keep it conversational. Something as simple as, “I think I could help with that”, or “Would you like to chat through some ideas?” feels friendly, not forceful.
The key is timing. Wait until you’ve established trust and understanding before making any offer, that way, it’s more genuine and not forced.
Keep the Long Game in Mind
Not every connection becomes a client straight away, and that’s perfectly normal. Some people may become long-term referrers or collaborators instead. Stay patient, keep supporting their work, and maintain communication, you never know when a new opportunity will arise down the line.
Conclusion
Following up after a networking event isn’t about quick wins, it’s about building genuine relationships based on trust, consistency, and mutual support. When you take the time to reconnect thoughtfully, offer value, and stay engaged, you’re not just building your business; you’re helping strengthen Kent’s local business community too.
Whether it’s a friendly message, a coffee catch-up, or inviting someone along to a Synergy Networking event, every small action helps turn introductions into lasting partnerships.
Because at the end of the day, networking isn’t about who you meet, it’s about how you nurture those connections afterwards and how you can help each other over the long term to strengthen both your businesses.
Book an event below and start building out your own network. You might be surprised at who you meet or who they know.
