Most of the value of a networking event is created after it ends. The conversation opens a door, but the follow-up decides whether anything comes through it. The good news is that a useful follow-up takes a couple of minutes, if you have a routine.
When to follow up
As soon as you can, ideally the same day and no later than the next working day. The conversation is still fresh for both of you, and a quick message shows you were listening. Waiting a week turns a warm introduction into a cold one.
What a good follow-up includes
- Their name, spelled correctly.
- Where you met, so they can place you instantly.
- One specific thing you talked about. This is what separates a real follow-up from a mass email.
- One clear, easy next step: a short call, a meeting, or an introduction.
- Your full name, role and company at the end, so they don't have to look you up.
Keep it short. Three or four sentences is plenty. The aim is to restart the conversation, not to pitch.
Email template: after a conversation
Subject: Good to meet you at [event] Hi [first name], It was good to meet you at [event] today. I enjoyed hearing about [the specific thing they mentioned]. Would a 20-minute online call next week be useful to talk about [the topic]? I'm free on [two options]. Best regards, [Your name] [Role], [Company]
Email template: when you only spoke briefly
Subject: Good to meet you Hi [first name], It was good to meet you at [event], even if only briefly. I'd be glad to stay in touch, and if [your area] is ever useful to you or your team, I'm happy to help. Best regards, [Your name] [Role], [Company]
Notice what this version doesn't do: it doesn't invent a deep conversation that didn't happen. If you only swapped details, say so honestly. People can tell.
LinkedIn template (under 200 characters)
Hi [first name], great to meet you at [event] today. I enjoyed our chat about [topic]. Would be good to stay connected, and happy to compare notes on [shared interest]. [Your first name]
A same-day routine that works
- Before you leave the venue, save every new contact properly, with a note of what you talked about.
- On the way home, sort them: who to follow up with today, who this week, who just to connect with on LinkedIn.
- Send today's follow-ups the same evening, using the templates above.
- Set a reminder for a second, lighter touch in two to three weeks for the people who matter most.
The hard part is step one. If someone's details are on a paper card in your pocket, you have to type them in later, and that is where most follow-ups die.
How Tapqora helps
With a Tapqora card, the people you meet save your details with a tap and can send theirs straight back. Every contact lands in your dashboard with any note they added (and the event name, if Event mode is on), and you can set a follow-up reminder for each one.
Pro members also get the Tapqora Assistant, which drafts the follow-up email or LinkedIn message for each contact, in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian or Dutch. It is built to use only what was actually recorded, and nothing is sent or saved until you choose.
Every card includes 30 days of Pro free.
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