The Biggest Mistake a Lot of People Make

The fortune is in the follow up and this is the biggest mistake most networkers make. I talk to people all of the time who meet people and never call them back for some reason or another. In a previous article, I talked about building trust. That is one of the most important things you want to leave that conversation with, trust. Did that person feel that they could trust you? It is hard for you to really know if they did or not but if you tried to help them with (what I call their pain) their problem, then you have done your job. Make sure you follow up with them within 24-48 hours. If you were going to help them with a problem, follow up with some type of answer, even if it is just to say you are waiting to hear back from xyz, but show them you care and you were listening.

When you call back, have the business card with their information or your notes sheet in front of you. The information on that card or notes sheet is vital and you will need to include something specific on the initial conversation when you follow up. (Example) “Hello, may I speak to ____. ____, this is _____. It was great to meet you at the ____ on yesterday. I enjoyed talking with you. How did Matt do in football practice today?” (Listen) “Great!!! Did you ever get that golf game set up for next weekend?” (Listen) “That sounds good! I hope you have a great time and you will be at the top of your game. ___, I talked with my brother and he knows a man who might be able to help you with… Let us set up a time when we can all talk…”

I know this sounds like an old cliché, but people do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care. You will be surprised how many people go straight for the business. All they see are dollar signs, but in the long run they lose a lot of business. If they would have just slowed down and built a relationship, the dollars signs would have come.

A good networker will follow up and he/she will also keep in touch. It may take some time to earn your prospects trust, but once you do, you will have a friend for life.

Follow up phrases at the end of a conversation and how to get their number:

I enjoyed talking to you and will be in touch. How can I get with you?
Wow!!! What an informative conversation. I would love to get back with you and continue. What is the best number I can reach you at?
Thanks for sharing! I will call you back in the next few days. Do you have a business card on you?
I am always open to learn more and will follow up with you tomorrow. Let us exchange numbers.
I will call my brother tomorrow and get back with you ASAP. What is the best time and what number do you want me to call you on?
No follow up…No relationship…No business!!!

With today’s technology, you have several ways to follow up…email, snail mail, post cards, text and phone, but I like to call, because it is more personal than email.

A lot of people do not follow up because at the initial conversation there was no real conversation. They did not learn anything that they could use to start to build a relationship from. You must use the information you gather to take it to the next step. Build from that conversation to build to the next one.

If you read all of my other articles...

"6 Steps from Hello to Building a Relationship" Part 1

"6 Steps from Hello to Building a Relationship" Part 2

"People's Personality Styles by Colors" pt 1

"People's Personality Styles by Colors" pt 2

"Become a Conversation Specialist"


Congratulations!!! You’re on your way to becoming a conversation specialist!