🧠 Networking Tip: How to Get the Next Meeting & Maintain Engagement

Hey 👋!

Here’s how you can get the most out of informational meetings and networking sessions with industry professionals (scroll down for the free networking guide that includes tons of template messages for you to use).

Whenever you manage to connect or catch-up with someone you messaged on LinkedIn or you've emailed, always think about getting another meeting with them.

Otherwise you risk the relationship running dry and wasting everyone's time.

The whole purpose of connecting with people is to build relationships.

And relationships need nurturing over time, rather than meeting once and never talking with that person again.

It’s tough. Trust me, I know. Especially if you’re an introvert. But great things happen when you step outside of your comfort zone.

So here's how to nurture the relationship after your first catch-up:

1. Always Have a Follow-up in Mind

• “Would it be alright if I reached out in a few weeks to update you on my progress?”

• “I’ll work on [advice they gave] and let you know how it goes!”

• “Would you be open to connecting me with someone else who might offer insights on [specific topic]?”

2. Create a Natural Reason to Stay in Touch

• Send updates on progress (e.g., “I took your advice and [X], and it’s made a big impact!”).

• Congratulate them on promotions, firm deals, or articles they post.

• Share industry news that’s relevant to their work.

• Ask about their thoughts on recent trends in the industry.

Networking isn't hard. It just takes time, effort and stepping outside of your comfort zone.

Bonus Tip: Interested > Interesting.

Try not to go into conversations and catch-ups with the intention of being INTERESTING i.e. talking about yourself and how great you are.

Rather, try to be INTERESTED and focus all of your attention on the other person.

This is an underrated social skill that not many people keep in mind when networking or meeting new people.

Think about it.

Imagine some kid reached out to you for advice about university or college choices, and instead of listening to you and asking for your advice, all they spoke about was how they’re Head Boy/Girl in their school, how they’ve done tons of work experience, have xyz hobbies, what they enjoy, what they want, and what they need.

You’d be bored out of your mind, you probably wouldn’t take a second meeting, and you’d feel like they wasted your time.

You don’t want to be that kid when reaching out to industry professionals.

Make it about them, rather than about you.

Focus on being interested, NOT interesting.

The above notes were taken from my 'LinkedIn & Email Networking Guide'.

It covers the following topics:

1. LinkedIn Outreach Templates

2. Email Outreach Templates

3. 12-Week Relationship-Building Plan

4. Questions & Goals for Each Interaction

5. How to Get the Next Meeting & Maintain Engagement

6. How to Send 100+ LinkedIn Messages on a Free Account

And more!

That’s all for today. Let me know what you thought about this email by voting in the poll below. Thanks!

Afzal