Great post Ryan. I would also suggesting keeping a notepad handy if you are doing the Networking Roulette. 3mins goes by so fast and it is easy to forget what you were talking about with a particular new contact.

Did you forget to follow up in a timely manner? If you recall what you chatted about send them a quick note to remind them and work from there. Holidays serve as great reasons (if you needed one) to reconnect. You are human, things will slip, be a little forgiving...with yourself. Happy Networking.

Your Ambassador,
Bruny

Great post, and absolutely true. One of the biggest challenges that I have faced when networking comes after that first follow up. While it is true that following up quickly is the most important thing you can do after meeting someone, what is nearly as important is both keeping in touch and reaching out at the right time.

I work in global manufacturing, and in many of the countries that I do business in, relationships are the most important aspect of a business deal, far beyond price or service level agreement. With this in mind, I work hard to find interfaces with the people that I meet. The challenge is knowing when and where it is most appropriate to re-connect with people that I have met. I may meet someone in San Diego at a networking event, but it turns out we both do business in China. What this means for me is that I need to reach out to this person when I schedule a trip to China; it may turn out that we are both there at the same time (this has happened quite a few times) or that there is something I can do for them while I am there (leading to more business for me).

Over the past year or so, I have turned to CRM solutions to help me manage my connections. I know it sounds sterile to some to treat people that I may meet at a networking event as "leads" but having a CRM system that enables me to filter by tags (for instance, finding all of the people that I have met that I have tagged with "China" and "Electronics") means that I will reach out to the right people at the right time. I personally use Highrise from 37 signals, first and foremost because it's free for up to 250 contacts, and second because it has an iPhone app that I can use to enter and tag people soon after I meet them. (In all fairness, Salesforce.com offers a great "contact manager" version as well, for $5 per month)

Networking success depends upon fast and accurate information capture; 2 days after I have met someone I will have lost the context of why I asked that person for their card. If I can make some notes or add tags as soon as we meet, we both benefit from the relationship.

Great post Ryan! I'm one of those people who follow-up with people I meet at events within 24 hours, but what amazes me is the fact that most people I send a quick "nice to meet you email" don't take the time to respond back.

My email is very short and to the point, where I met them at, what we had in common and maybe a compliment on something they said/wore/did. I always ask if they could share more about what they do...just to get a conversation started, but most of the time I don't get a response. That always seems to surprise me.

Good post but you just jump over the hardest part of networking: how to find people who can help you. It's only too easy to build a big network of people you can help.

I agree with timely followup. Otherwise the initial interaction is akin to a one night stand!

Another important thing that really builds up a strong network is:
Don't think about what the other person can do for you, but also what you can do for them. For example, what other people in your network could they have a interesting interaction with? Strong networkers connect OTHER people, not just themselves. Often times there is more value in who you know that what you know!

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you gain knowledge, would you mind updating your blog with extra information? It is extremely helpful for me.
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