Blog Post: Following-up is the Key to Effective Networking

I was recently invited to attend a National Sales Network-Phoenix Chapter monthly meeting where I heard something very interesting from Steven Connor, a member of the leadership team. He told the group, 90% of people who network do not follow-up. Wrap your head around that for a second. On average, people take advantage of only 10% of the professional connections they make. How many missed opportunities are sitting among the pile of business cards you collect at different events? Many people focus their energy on how to connect with people at these events, but one of the most important pieces of advice I have received recently is that networking does not stop when the event is over. You have been handed, literally, a new opportunity. You never know how meeting someone new can help you professionally. So, don't be a statistic. Always follow-up after a networking event even if you don't think anything will come of it. You never know what can happen.