Following up after you get connected.

Are you an active networker like I am?

Networking today is easier than ever before and it can be a highly effective way to expand your circle of influence through accessing the circles of others … if you do it well that is. If you’re interested we’ll expand on this subject in future posts.

Today however we’ll touch on a followup related subject relevant to anyone who is out there in the community connecting and getting connected.

Personally, I am always actively expanding my network and one of my great pleasures is connecting people whom I believe will benefit in some way from knowing each other. In fact, I have a designated ‘Resource’ file in which I store the contact information of people I have come to know and respect so that I can quickly and easily pull up their info and share it with another when appropriate, and I do this quite regularly.

Has anyone ever done this for you, connected you with someone in their circle that might benefit you (and the other) in some way? If so, did you followup appropriately? With both parties?

If so, congratulations because speaking from personal experience I can say that many people don’t think to do this.

Oh, I’m sure they’re grateful for the introduction, and hopefully they follow through with the person they’ve been connected to, but for some reason they don’t think to also followup with the person that did the connecting. Unfortunately, by neglecting this, they significantly lower the chances of that person ever again connecting them with anyone else. What a shame!

So, how should this followup be done? There may be many ways but here’s what I do.

Let’s say that Bill has just introduced me to Allison because he felt it would be mutually beneficial for us to know each other.

First, I immediately acknowledge the introduction and express appreciation to Bill, either by email or telephone.

Next, I keep Bill informed as the relationship between Allison and myself develops. I let him know that I emailed Allison yesterday but haven’t heard back yet, or that she and I have exchanged emails and are planning on connecting in person, or that Allison and I have met for coffee, had a phone chat, or whatever. The point is, I keep Bill in the loop.

Also, at some point in this process I will typically send Bill a physical thank you card, through the postal system, demonstrating again how much I appreciate and value his thoughtfulness and the effort he went to.

Then, if something concrete develops between Allison and myself, such as the two of us doing business or collaborating on a project, I again let Bill know and once again express gratitude. And if it turns out that the relationship between Allison and I results in profit for me then I for sure will  acknowledge Bill’s contribution in some appropriate way.

Pretty simple isn’t it? Not complicated at all, nor difficult, and it only takes a few minutes. What it does however is acknowledge Bill’s gift of the introduction and lets him know that I value and appreciate it, and him.

The consequence? Well, there’s a good chance that the relationship between Bill and myself will be even stronger than before. The odds are also high that Bill will be inspired to connect me with someone else should it ever be appropriate to do so. All good, yes?

So if you’re not already doing so, stand out from the rest by being thoughtful, considerate and appreciative … you’ll love how it makes others feel and what it does for you.