Relationship PR : 21 emails to get to 1 phone call

ByBarbara Rozgonyi

“If you’re not in sales, you should be. Your persistence is impressive.”

one of my many messages to someone I met at a networking event. It took a collective 21 emails to schedule a phone conversation.

How easily do you give up on networking follow up?

If you’re like me, you send out a “great meeting you” message after you meet someone at a networking event. Rarely do I call, but I should.

At one Internet marketing event, I sat next to a guy who told me my card didn’t look like me. It needed to be more lively and expressive. He impressed me as being a bit strange, but likable. A few days after the conference he called to say he was calling everyone he met there to find out what they thought of the meetings and what information they planned to use. He also interviewed me about my Internet marketing experience. And then he asked for feedback on his business. What a friendly way to reach out.

Last month I met at a networking expert at an industry breakfast. I send an email, he sent an email. We exchanged, in all, 21 emails before our first phone call. Each message carried a micro update. It took three weeks to find a time to talk. When we did, I felt like we knew each other and I felt good about being valued as someone to connect with. I asked him about his personal networking style. He told me limits events because he wants to allow time for follow up afterwards. Good advice if you want to get to know the people you met.

Another networking expert I met at a luncheon followed up with two emails to her table mates. Each publicized her business. I’d rather personalize the interaction. Next time I might even add a line about setting up a time to talk.

Two questions kept coming up as I write this post:

Do you know who your contacts are and how they got there?

Where do your connections come from and where do you keep them?

My contacts fall into these areas:

LinkedIn – professional connections

twitter- you follow me, I follow you

CardScan – you give your card, I scan it in

Facebook – we make friends

Networking – we shook hands, talked and probably attended an event together

What do you think?

How do these relationships differ in regards to approach, connection and follow up?

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30 Comments

  1. Barbara,

    Great post. I do not do enough follow up with people. I need to work on my networking skills. Thanks

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  3. 21 e-mails before a phone call!!!! Wow. That is persistant.

    I am a “Hare” personality and persistance isn’t my best suit. I tent to go maybe 2 emails before a phone call. I try to follow my intuition and make contact when I feel a very strong urge.

    One networking group that I like a lot is Ryze.com – another is Entrecard.com. Just now getting to know PoshMama.com

    What is important is to find a place that feels good and put in the time – hour/day – to find those special people who become friends – from there the rest will come.

    Great topic. Thanks.

    Viveca

  4. 21 e-mails before a phone call!!!! Wow. That is persistant.

    I am a “Hare” personality and persistance isn’t my best suit. I tent to go maybe 2 emails before a phone call. I try to follow my intuition and make contact when I feel a very strong urge.

    One networking group that I like a lot is Ryze.com – another is Entrecard.com. Just now getting to know PoshMama.com

    What is important is to find a place that feels good and put in the time – hour/day – to find those special people who become friends – from there the rest will come.

    Great topic. Thanks.

    Viveca

  5. Viveca-Welcome! Thanks for the networking group links – all three new to me. I like being a member of a group of people I know well. Visited your site, http://www.fatiqubegoneblog.com, and found some energy-boosting advice.

  6. Viveca-Welcome! Thanks for the networking group links – all three new to me. I like being a member of a group of people I know well. Visited your site, http://www.fatiqubegoneblog.com, and found some energy-boosting advice.

  13. Interesting post! The things we can do with networking in all its facets now is amazing. Perhaps another view … now there is a method to fit every style and personality…

  14. Interesting post! The things we can do with networking in all its facets now is amazing. Perhaps another view … now there is a method to fit every style and personality…

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