The “Follow Up” is the achilles heel of networking and business development. It’s a fundamental of business conducting business but not everyone is good at it. It can be make or break to your business so getting it down to a science needs to be high on your list of priorities. Following up does a few good things; it keeps you fresh in the the other person’s mind first and foremost, and it shows that you have a real interest in whatever is being discussed which is also of great importance. Even if you’re just doing so to say thanks, following up is ALWAYS a good move. Now personally, I like to Follow up with all my contacts about once a month, just to keep in touch. Yes, I recommend you do the same.
When following up remember to:
- always express gratitude.
- include an item of interest from your meeting or conversation, even a joke.
- reaffirm the commitments made on both ends
- be brief and to the point
- always address the person by name
- timeliness is key (12-24hrs after initial contact)
Act Accordingly.
If you found this article helpful, sign up for updates and receive my free list building course!
Complete course teaching you basic list building strategies you can use to build your own lucrative opt in list.
- Learn to use social media to build your list
- How to use one time offers.
- Secrets to using article marketing.
- Tips on using contests and giveaways.
No related posts.
About Dewane Mutunga
Following up is one of my weaknesses. Thanks for reminding me. i now have a few more things on my to do list for tomorrow. I am still wondering what the photo represents. A human hair? Strand of DNA? What am I missing?
Very concise! Follow-up is a crucial part of any online business (or offline business for that matter). Most business owners know that it's MUCH cheaper to keep an existing customer than to find a new one. Follow-up is the key to retention. I have found that it really helps to have some sort of system in place to make the follow-up process part of your daily or weekly business tasks.
Dewane,
This is a GREAT post, for business AND for personal relationships. My favorite two points are gratitude and timeliness. When I'm working with couples, it is definitely the follow through that I emphasize. Spending an hour with me is nothing, the work is during the rest of the week.
Thanks for sharing,
Adam
Hi Dewane,
Following up is important! It's amazing how often this doesn't happen. With how busy people are, I guess that is the excuse – but with people complaining about how hard it is to make money – maybe the lack of follow-up is part of the reason. It can feel like – why do I need to do this? But following up lends a personal touch that nothing else really does. And it shows that you are dedicated in an important and tangible way. Great post! – Rob
Follow is a weakness for most everybody. The timeliness factor is very important. People forget you and they forget the impact of your words if you wait too long. One of my downfalls is forgetting people's names. Thanks goodness for business cards.
Hey Dewane,
Great to get a chance to stop by your blog. Hope you are doing well.
Follow-up is the most important part of your business. Without it how can you succeed?
Great tips you share with us on how to do it effectively.
Blessings for great success in your business.
Make it a great day!
God Bless,
The GREAT Edward!
Great post!
I am the queen of follow up!
That is why I have seen such great success!
Thanks for sharing.
The fortune is in the follow up.
Dewane
I am good with follow up if I tell someone that I will follow up something then I do it, but when it comes to follow up just for the sake of following up to hopefully sell them something then I pass.
Belinda
I agree that timelessness is key! You want to be fresh in that person's mind so that don't have to sit and think about who you are, what they thought about you, etc.
I realize that follow up is critical. Although, if your motive for the follow up is a sale, I am not much of a proponent. Like my car dealer who sends me a birthday card. That is inappropriate follow up in my opinion.
Following up is so important but is one area where most people could make the most impact on their business if they mastered. I have heard of some high level marketers who have said no to an opportunity more than 5 times only to say yes to it and then build a huge team!!
Some no's are definite, but most really mean "no- for now". The trick is to know the difference and follow up to be there when the time is right.
Excellent point Dewane, and something I currently only do sporadically — shame on me! :) It is really truly one of the MOST important parts of networking, and building lasting relationships!!
Thanks for the awesome reminder!!
Great job — I love your blog, and will definitely be back!!
Lorri
I used to really hate following up… I had the mentality that if they didn't like what they saw the first time, then I for SURE don't want to have to sell them on it the second time.
But the truth is, most of my purchases have been on a followup – because stuff happens, it gets put on the back burner, you misplace the website, etc..
and now I just look at it like that. It's a reminder call to have the person decide.
HI there Dewane,
Yes. Follow up is really important. That is why I use an auto-responder. My business is totally online and I love it that way. I believe you should do all that you can to form a relationship with your prospect list, even if they do not wish to join your network marketing opportunity. If you commit to generic help then you will benefit in the long term
Great site.
Thanks
Peter
Dewane. Followup may be the single most important thing you can do to close more business and build better relationships. It never ceases to amaze me how many people fail to followup. They are already onto someone new before they establish a real relationship with the person in front of them.
Oh Dewane,
Thank you, you've given me the kick up the backside I needed… follow up is my weakest area! I think my biggest problem is organizing my contacts well enough in the first place because I keep forgetting people!!!
Thanks for the great tips!
Emma :-)
Hi Dewane,
Fantastic points. Follow up is absolutely crucial, in my book, and not that many people take the time to do it. That's amazing to me! Why not? After all, as you said in your post, it can literally make or break your business. And it does all those things you mentioned. As they say, it's easier (and less expensive) to keep a client or customer than it is to get a new one!
Hi Dewane:
Following up is critical in my line of work too! :)
Thanks for the great tips!
Kevin
Hi Dewane,
Oh OK, yes you are absolutely right; I did need that kick in the butt this morning! I always think 'I'll ring him tomorrow' and as you know 'tomorrow never comes' :-)
I'm on it. Thanks!
Sue
Hey Dewane,
Great to be visiting you again! I am so glad you posted this. I read so much about starting a business, being a leader, but rarely do I see anything on follow-up and it's so important. Thank you! Happy Holidays to you too …
Dewane…great and concise post. I am working in this area to improve. I tend to leave too much time hanging in the air. I need to get more timely in my follow ups and also remember…being brief and concise (like your post here) is all that is necessary.
Hi Dewane
This is so true..I truly value a right follow up and one that especially reflects authencity..Art of follow up is something one can master and must remember to be consistent and embrace your audience needs. I like how you combine it with art. I do look forward to more of your posts.
Ruth
Short and sweet! Thank you, Dewane. Follow up is the way to build the best quality business relationships. I've spoken with people who only "pick the low-hanging fruit" in their business and never make an effort to build relationships through follow up. Building trust by being real in your follow up creates the environment where people aren't just "being sold." They're getting to know you and being given an opportunity to decide of doing business with you is right for them. Even if they never do business with you, they might turn into a friend who refers someone to you.
Hi Dewane,
Follow up is very important to an online business as well! While there are a lot of programs and services to make this easier, if everything you send is via a pre-written series of autoresponders that you haven't touched in a long time, you should freshen them up! And, you should send fresh material at least once per month, such as through a newsletter.
Your reasons listed are excellent and it applies to all business online and off. Nice advice!
Great suggestions on how to go about follow up. I am making it a special point to do so. Sometimes we can easily forget or even move onto a project that had nothing to do with what we originally intended to do to serve that prospect but we can make it happen with them if we show a sincere interest.