Friday, July 11, 2025
Woman PWR
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Empowerment
  • Featured
  • Business
  • Health & Wellness
  • Influencers
  • Women PWR TV
  • Podcast
Woman PWR
  • Home
  • Empowerment
  • Featured
  • Business
  • Health & Wellness
  • Influencers
  • Women PWR TV
  • Podcast
No Result
View All Result
Woman PWR
No Result
View All Result

So You’ve Made a New Connection by Networking—Here’s What You Should Do Now

Editorial Team by Editorial Team
August 6, 2022
in Business
0
Home Business
Tiffany Co

As an extroverted introvert, I love networking. Whenever I’m in a room full of strangers, the journalism major in me kicks in as I chat with new people and ask questions to uncover their stories. I haven’t always been very good at it, but I’ve found my last two jobs because of mutual connections, so something must be working.

As someone in their mid-to-late twenties, I’ve done a decent amount of networking across some…unexpected platforms to say the least. Before the pandemic, I connected in person with college professors during classes and office hours, colleagues at my first job, and complete strangers at happy hours and any professional networking event I could find. During the pandemic, I attended more Zoom happy hours than I can count, met all but one new colleague virtually, and used new platforms like Clubhouse rooms and Gatheround speed networking to form new connections.

Regardless of where or how I met new people while networking, I’d always end up with the same question: “Now what?” You chat. You laugh. You make small talk. You (hopefully) exchange information. And then you go your separate ways. But a stack of untouched business cards or a forgotten list of emails isn’t doing you any favors. Like any relationship, the people you connect with will remain strangers until you put work in and start to build a rapport. Whether you’re a recent grad or someone who’s been in the field for years, here’s how to grow your networking connections with intention.

 

Get their info

While everyone is Googleable these days, there’s something to be said for acquiring information straight from the source. When someone hands you a business card or shares their email, it’s a clear indicator that they like you enough to offer a way to stay in touch and grow your connection. It can sometimes be awkward to ask for someone’s contact information, but if you don’t ask, you shall potentially not receive it. In the event that you couldn’t quite ask directly—like if you want to connect with a speaker or panelist but couldn’t chat with them after the event—the internet can come in handy. A quick LinkedIn search will likely uncover their profile where you can connect.

 

Send a message

Too often, we collect business cards and then leave it at that. Now that you have a networking connection’s LinkedIn profile in front of you or their email in hand, use it! Regardless of where you send your first message, include your name, brief details, and a bit about the conversation the two of you had when you met in order to jog their memory. This last part is key—if you met this person at a conference or other big event, they probably met dozens of other people too. Did you talk about your love for the Chicago Cubs? Did they mention the book they’re working on? Did they ask you to send them your resume or more information about your company? Whatever it is, include it in your initial outreach to stand out. Granted this can get a bit difficult on LinkedIn, which limits the length of the first “let’s connect” message to 300 characters, but these brief introductions should be relatively concise, to begin with. Be effective, but brief.

 

Source: Social Squares

 

Schedule a chat

Depending on where you want your new connection to grow, you might want to schedule a second conversation after your initial meeting. Pre-pandemic, meeting for coffee or grabbing lunch were pretty common ways to connect, but that limited in-person meetings to those in your same geographic location. Now, video calls are a relatively low-stakes norm that allows anyone to still get “face time” with people in other cities, states, or countries—or people who just don’t have the bandwidth or energy to meet in person right now.

Note: Many of us are struggling with Zoom fatigue, so don’t overlook the good ol’ (but sometimes dreaded) phone call.

 

Follow their company

Does your new connection work at your dream company? Follow the organization on social media and sign up for their newsletter if they have one. This not only gives you insight into the organization but also something to talk about the next time you chat with your new contact. Even if you aren’t on the job hunt, seeing your connection’s company pop up in your feed or your inbox can serve as a consistent reminder to follow up with them and stay in touch after your initial conversations.

 

Source: cottonbro | Pexels

 

RELATED POST

Career Coaches Swear These Are the Best Questions to Ask In Your Interviews

You’re Already Qualified For This Remote Job—And It's In Demand

Stay top of mind

Chatting with your contact once when you first meet and again as a follow-up isn’t enough to develop a meaningful connection. Whether you’re looking for a job, mentor, or new business, you should first build a relationship instead of making these important asks out of the blue. I’d recommend following up about once a quarter but only with relevant notes or information that your contact will find interesting or valuable. Industry reports, social posts, podcast episodes, books, etc. are all great pieces of content to send their way and keep the conversation going. People also love to talk about themselves. Did your contact just get promoted? How’s their book coming along? Are they leading their company’s incredible new initiative that you’d love to hear more about? Send them a note to check in—they’ll more than likely be happy to tell you more. 

 

Read the room and try again

When it comes to building connections, it’s crucial to strike a balance between being persistent and being annoying. If the vibes were off when you first connected, you don’t have to reach out. If someone doesn’t respond to your first follow-up message or two, it might be time to cut your losses. I like to believe the best in people—maybe they’re busy or your message got lost in spam or they opened your email but forgot to respond. But sometimes people just won’t want to talk to you, and that’s OK! It can be disappointing (and I know this is easier said than done), but try not to let it get to you. You put yourself out there and should be proud of that. On to the next one.

More often than not, people love to support others through their career journeys, but the initial impact of networking will only get you so far. Once you have someone’s information, remember to keep the connection going through consistent conversation and intentional follow-up. Ask questions, but remember to be respectful of their time and show your appreciation. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll end up returning the favor.

 

Networking Works: Here’s How One Connection Changed My Entire Career

 

Source: Cosmo Politian

ShareTweetPin
Tiffany Co

Related Posts

Career Coaches Swear These Are the Best Questions to Ask In Your Interviews
Business

Career Coaches Swear These Are the Best Questions to Ask In Your Interviews

June 24, 2025
You’re Already Qualified For This Remote Job—And It's In Demand
Business

You’re Already Qualified For This Remote Job—And It's In Demand

June 24, 2025
Help! We’ve Officially Entered the Era of the “Infinite Workday”
Business

Help! We’ve Officially Entered the Era of the “Infinite Workday”

June 20, 2025
The 50-20-20-10 Budgeting Method Claims to Make You More Money
Business

The 50-20-20-10 Budgeting Method Claims to Make You More Money

June 17, 2025
Your Aura Color Could Be the Secret to Avoiding Burnout
Business

Your Aura Color Could Be the Secret to Avoiding Burnout

June 18, 2025
This Relatable Finance Book Gave Me All The Tools I Need to Finally Get My Shit Together
Business

This Relatable Finance Book Gave Me All The Tools I Need to Finally Get My Shit Together

June 13, 2025
Next Post
This 2-Minute Wellness Practice Can Help You Level Up at Work

This 2-Minute Wellness Practice Can Help You Level Up at Work

Tiffany Co
Tiffany Co

ABOUT US

An organization dedicated to Connecting, Inspiring & Empowering Women around the Middle East and the World. It is the first women empowerment organization that helps successful women meet like-minded successful women by bringing together high achieving successful professional women.

Follow us

QUICK LINKS

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Advertising Solutions

Copyright © Woman PWR™ , All right reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Empowerment
  • Featured
  • Business
  • Health & Wellness
  • Influencers
  • Women PWR TV
  • Podcast

Copyright © Woman PWR™ , All right reserved.