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Relationships Are Money

Guest post by: Jackie Mckay

Article Overview: What's your excuse for not following up with new contacts at networking events? I'm going to be straight with you now - coming from a loving place of course. I don't think it really matters what your answer is to that question because the correct answer is there is no excuse for not following up.

Relationships Are Money

What's your excuse for not following up with new contacts at networking events? I'm going to be straight with you now - coming from a loving place of course. I don't think it really matters what your answer is to that question because the correct answer is there is no excuse for not following up. All excuses are equal. Follow up is the key to being successful at networking. If you meet people but you don't follow up with them, why even waste your time with networking meetings?

So following up is absolutely critical. However, a lot of holistic therapists still find every excuse under the sun not to follow up. Most of these reasons are either that they are not sure how to do it or they don't have the time to do it.

So,I am going to give you a couple of steps that I use along with some follow up scripts. These will work whether using email or a handwritten note. They'll make it a no-brainer for you to follow up with new contacts so there are no more excuses. Remember, it's okay to put these in your own words. These are just ideas.

Here is the step by step format for following up:

• Attend an event/meet a person
• Ask a lot of questions about them - listen carefully
• Write on back of card special notes

Sort out who is who:

Type A Referral partners and Perspective clients now

Type B Perspective clients down the road those who may become valuable contacts in the future but not right away

Type C A nice person whom you probably won't ever do biz with

• Follow up within 2-3 days initiating a coffee date - think of it as a relationship building date - not a sales call!
• Ask for a friend request on Linked In, Facebook, Twitter
• Schedule meeting
• Send a thank you note for taking the time to meet - email

Following Up Scripts:

For those you won't do biz with - follow up with a quick nice to meet you note (you never know who they know!)

For Type B and C

Follow up template for your B and C list. These are the people that you want to make sure to have contact with but you don't see that you can help them immediately. They are not a potential client immediately, but you do want to remember, you never know where great referrals can come from. So these are people that you are interested in. You just don't know where that connection would be. They may become valuable contacts in the future, but just not right away.

So here's how you do it:

Tammy,

My name is Jackie McKay, and I'm the RMT who met you the other day over at the chamber. I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed our conversation-and it sounds like you're really doing well and staying busy.

Anyway, it was good talking to you, and if I can help you out in any way, please let me know.

Jackie

Follow up Template for "A list" contacts (those who might become new clients or referral partners right now) :

Susan,

My name is Jackie McKay, and I'm the holistic therapist who met you the other day at the chamber event. I just wanted to say I really enjoyed our conversation and was hoping I could learn a little bit more about what you do.

I'd like to get together for a quick cup of coffee. That way, if I run into someone who could use your services, I can point him in your direction. How does next Tuesday morning sound?

Again, great talking to you, and if I can help your business in any way, please let me know.

Jackie

Your Assignment:

Be sure to ask a lot of questions, be authentic and listen well at the networking events. Sort out your cards and then develop your own script for your follow up with networking contacts or follow the script I provided.

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Article Tags: correct answer, excuse, loving place, money, networking events, relationships



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