Meeting someone is the easy part. Knowing how to follow up after networking is what turns a good conversation into a contact who still remembers you six months later. Yet many people either never send the follow-up or send something so generic it gets archived. This guide covers the timing, the structure and the exact words, plus what to do when you hear nothing back.
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When to follow up after networking
Speed matters more than polish. As a rule of thumb:
- After an event or a coffee chat, send your note within 24 hours, while the conversation is still fresh for both of you.
- After an online chat, follow up when the thread goes quiet, usually by suggesting a short call.
- If you promised something, such as an article, a contact or a file, send it first. A kept promise is the strongest follow-up there is.
Waiting a week doesn’t ruin anything. Still, the longer you wait, the more context you’ll need to explain who you are.
What to say: the three-part follow-up
Good follow-ups are short and specific. Most of them have three parts:
- A reminder. Say where you met, and mention one detail from the conversation.
- Something useful. Share what you promised, or something they’d value.
- A small next step, such as a 20-minute call. Sometimes no ask at all is the better choice.
Your subject line should do the reminding for you. “Following up” tells the reader nothing, while “Great to meet you at the product meetup” places you at once.
Length matters too. In a 2016 analysis of emails sent through its app, Boomerang found that messages of 50 to 125 words got replies more than half the time. That’s a good target for most follow-ups.
How to follow up after networking events
Here’s a template for the morning after an event:
Subject: Great to meet you at the product meetup
Hi Aisha,
Thanks for the chat at last night’s product meetup in London. Your point about killing features nobody uses has stuck with me.
Here’s the onboarding teardown I mentioned. Slides 4 to 7 cover the drop-off problem you described.
If it’s useful, I’d be glad to swap notes over a 20-minute call next week. Either way, I hope the launch goes well.
Best,
Jonas
It’s about 80 words. Notice it gives before it asks, and the ask is easy to decline.
How to follow up after networking online and over coffee
After a coffee chat:
“Thanks again for your time yesterday. I took your advice and rewrote my portfolio intro around one project instead of five. Here’s the new version, in case you’re curious. I’ll let you know how the next interview goes.”
After a match on a networking app:
“Good to connect here. You mentioned you’re hiring your first engineer in Toronto. I went through the same process last year, so I’m happy to share the interview questions that worked for us. Would a quick call on Thursday suit you?”
In both cases, the message shows you listened, and it gives the other person a simple way to reply.
Where to follow up after networking: email, LinkedIn or WhatsApp?
The right channel depends on the person and the place. Email still works well for formal follow-ups and anything with attachments. By contrast, LinkedIn suits a lighter “great to meet you” note.
In countries such as Saudi Arabia, Mexico or Spain, many professionals move to WhatsApp quickly once they’ve met in person. In Germany or the UK, on the other hand, email tends to feel safer for a first follow-up. When in doubt, mirror the channel the other person used. Our guide to cultural differences in networking covers more of these habits.
What to do when they don’t reply
When you follow up after networking and hear nothing, don’t take it personally. Silence usually means busy, not uninterested. So wait five to seven working days, and then send one short nudge that adds something new:
“Hi Aisha, I came across this case study on feature cuts and thought of our chat. No need to reply. I just wanted to pass it on.”
If that gets no answer either, stop there. Leave the door open, and then reconnect later when you have a real reason, such as a new role, a launch or an article they’d like.
Mistakes that make follow-ups fall flat
Most weak follow-ups fail for the same few reasons. Watch out for these:
- No detail. “Great to meet you!” with nothing else could have been sent to anyone, so it’s easy to ignore.
- A big ask straight away. Asking for a job referral in the first message puts the other person on the spot. Instead, build a little trust first.
- A bare connection request. A LinkedIn invite without a note is easy to forget, especially after a busy event.
- Unrequested attachments. Don’t send your CV or deck unless they asked for it.
- Too many nudges. One reminder is polite, whereas three in two weeks feels like pressure.
Keep the relationship warm after the first follow-up
The first time you follow up after networking is only the start. A single message opens a relationship, but it won’t keep one going. A few light habits help:
- Set a reminder to check in every two to three months.
- Share relevant news, such as an article, a job opening or an event.
- Congratulate people on promotions, launches and papers.
- Make introductions for them, and ask both sides first. Our guide on how to ask for an introduction explains the double opt-in method.
Also keep a simple record of who you met, where, and what you talked about. A spreadsheet or a notes app is enough. Our roundup of the apps professionals use every day has a few options.
Frequently asked questions
How soon should you follow up after networking?
Within 24 hours is ideal for events and coffee chats. However, a follow-up a few days later is still far better than none.
What do you say in a follow-up email after a networking event?
Remind them where you met, mention one detail from your conversation, share something useful, and suggest a small next step, all in about 50 to 125 words.
How many times should you follow up?
Once, and then one gentle nudge after about a week. After that, wait until you have a new reason to get in touch.
Is it okay to follow up on LinkedIn instead of email?
Yes, especially for a short “great to meet you” note. For anything longer, or anything with attachments, email usually works better.
Follow up once, follow through always
Learning how to follow up after networking is mostly about consistency. Send the note within a day, keep it short, give something useful, and then stay in touch over time. If you’d like to start with contacts who chose to talk to you, get Kradoz on Google Play. For more on why it’s worth the effort, read why professional networking matters.
