It's no secret that networking can be time-consuming and difficult. Organizing meetings, making phone calls, sending emails, and attending conferences — a lot goes into relationship-building, no matter your industry. One of the most important parts of the networking process happens after your first interaction with the person or business you're communicating with ... when you send your follow-up email.
That's why we've created this guide — loaded with insider tips and templates, it's here to help you send effective post-networking follow-up emails.
The following email templates will help you show your recipients the value you provide and develop meaningful relationships with them.
Follow-Up Email Subject Lines
Before we look at the follow-up templates below, let's review the importance of including strong subject lines in your emails.
Your subject line is the first thing a recipient sees when they glance at their inbox — meaning, it needs to grab their attention and make them want to open your message. HubSpot spent time exploring subject lines that influence people to open. So, with that data collected in mind, we've compiled some popular follow-up email subject lines to use after your next networking event, meeting, or conference.
How to Send a Follow-Up Email After Networking
Now, let's look at how you can craft your follow-up email. Your message should include the following features, no matter the type of networking you took part in or which industry you're in. When writing your email, be sure to:
- Write an attention-grabbing subject line.
- Mention a conversation you had with your recipient while at the meeting, conference, networking event, etc. to provide context for your recipient — this will jog their memory so they can remember you.
- Include details about the value that you provide — how can you help your recipient? Why is this relationship mutually beneficial?
- Ask to keep in touch, set up a face-to-face meeting, or schedule a phone call — be sure to provide at least two dates and times that you're available.
- Express your gratitude and thank your recipient for their time.
- Sign your email to ensure the follow up feels professional and personal. (You may also hyperlink to your LinkedIn profile here.)
- Copyedit the follow-up email — several times — so your message is flawless. (You wouldn't want a recruiter at your dream company reading through an error-ridden message.)
As for when to send your follow-up email, here's the general rule of thumb based on the type of networking:
- Interview, business meeting, deal, conference, interview, or special event: Within 24 hours
- Submission of application or another type of form: Within 48 hours
- Follow-up after no response regarding a meeting request or the status of a job opportunity: Within 1-2 weeks
- Catch up with a member of your network to maintain your relationship with them: Every 3 months
Follow-Up Email Templates
Time to review the templates for your follow-up emails after networking. Each of these templates is organized by use case so you can easily identify the follow-up scenario that suits your needs.
Use Case 1: After a Conference or Event
After meeting someone at a conference or event, your follow-up email should remind them of who you are and demonstrate the value that you bring to the table.
Have you tried using [tool] for [goal]?
Hi First Name,
So glad we got to meet at event. I checked out your website afterward and loved your take on creating high-performance teams. Have you tried using the recommendation? I use that framework with my team and it has been incredibly successful. Happy to chat more about it or send over some templates and examples if you’re interested.
Again, it was great meeting you at Name of Networking Event, and I hope to see you again soon.
This may help with your Q3 objectives
Hi First Name,
It was great meeting you at name of event. I remember you mentioning that you’re trying to revamp project next quarter, and I thought I would share a book that I used to exceed my own target goals by result. It’s called Name of Book,and I just sent you the Kindle version of it. Hope you like it!
Happy to discuss the book or my approach if you’d like.
Just let me know!
Case Case 2: To Ask for a Meeting
Maybe you're looking to schedule a meeting with someone you met to continue building your relationship with them. Whether they're located in your city or elsewhere, you can still request that follow-up meeting in your message. Free for coffee? On me!
Hey First Name,
I’ve really enjoyed learning more about what you do and would love the opportunity to connect over coffee to learn more about your experience with industry or specialty. I’m currently doing role or project at Company Name and I am very interested in learning more about how you use A/B testing to enhance detail mentioned in last conversation.
I know you must be very busy, but I thought I’d try my luck. Would you be able to grab a coffee for 20 minutes this Wednesday or Thursday at time?
While I'm in the neighborhood...
Hi First Name,
I’m here in City Name this week — I’ve missed being out in City or State Name!
I know you must be busy, but I’ve always admired your work in your role and appreciated all you had to say when mention last time you spoke. Since then, I’ve made some developments of my own in this arena and I'd love to share them with you over coffee.
If you’re around, I’m flexible to work with your schedule while I'm in town.
Use Case 3: Follow Up to the Follow-Up Meeting Request
If you're missing a response to your initial meeting request, it's possible your follow-up email got lost the recipient's inbox or they simply forgot to respond. In situations like these, a quick reminder message may be all they need to get back to you.
Did I get lost?
Hey First Name,
Just wanted to send you a quick follow up in case this email got buried.
Use Case 4: To Promote Your Business or Service
Again, follow-up emails after networking are messages in which you can demonstrate your value. They're a great opportunity to promote the products or services you offer that solve pain points similar to the ones your recipient is experiencing.
How can we help you solve [business challenge]?
Hi Name,
Great meeting you yesterday and learning more about the Company Name story. I really admire how you brought the team from just 10 employees to more than 400 ego stroke.
I’ve been thinking about your struggle with business challenge more, and I think we could help you solve problem by thinking through your solution. There are a ton of companies just like yours using our new product which value.
Would you be able to hop on a call sometime this week to discuss more? I can also introduce you to a few of our customers that were experiencing the same issues with their teams prior to using our product.
Cheers,
Great meeting you, thought you might be interested in [Resource]
Hi First Name,
It was great meeting at the name of conference or event.
I remember you talking about how you had a big project type project coming up. I just sent you the Kindle version of my favorite branding book name of book. I hope it is helpful.
By the way, have you ever considered our product for value of product? If so, I’d love any brutal feedback. I provided some specific questions below.
Anything I can help with?
Use Case 5: After A Cold Ask
In different networking situations, you may find yourself needing help from a stranger — someone you can't ask a friend or colleague to connect you with. But, when you send a message to a stranger, you may not hear back the first time. So, be ready with your follow up.
You might find this [Resource] valuable
Hi First Name!
I'm Your Name from Company Name. I sent you an email last week about resource that could be useful for your readers. I've come across your website and it's amazing how much value you offer readers looking to learn about blog content topic.
I thought you'd be interested in including our resource in your round-up page because it's different from the other links you've referenced and may provide your readers with a different way of consuming information about topic — a more visual medium.
You can take a look at the resource here insert hyperlink.
Let me know if you decide to share it! I would love your feedback as well.
Use Case 6: Thank You Email After Meeting
In a thank-you follow-up email, describe concrete results your contact helped you achieve and express why that result is meaningful.
Another rule is to pay it forward. In return for their help, you can provide something valuable to the recipient in the form of an introduction or a relevant resource that demonstrates your gratitude and the fact you're not looking for a one-way relationship.
Thought you might like to meet [Name]
Hi Name,
Thank you so much for meeting with me today. I really enjoyed our conversation and learning more about what you do at Company Name. I truly appreciated all your advice and tips on how to break into industry.
I actually just met name of contact who runs the department team at Company Name and I think you two would really hit it off. She has an interesting perspective that I think you would find useful. Can I make an intro?
Thanks again for your time, and good luck with your upcoming feature launch! I hope to stay in touch and see you around soon.
Best,
Use Case 7: Asking For An Introduction
Let’s say the person you're networking with is of value because of someone else in their network - someone you want to know. To get introduced to this valuable contact, it’s often best to go through a referral introduction via the person you just met.
Introduction to [Contact Name]?
Hey First Name,
It was fantastic meeting you last week at [event]. I enjoyed our conversation about topic discussed.
As we were discussing what I’m working on, you mentioned that you know Contact Name over at Company Name and how she's an expert in this space. If you're willing, an introduction to Contact Name would be greatly beneficial.
I understand you might have a lot going on so I attached a short message below to make the introduction as easy as possible. Would you be able to take a moment to introduce me?
Thanks,
— About Your Name & Your Company/Product/Project
Description to be used in introduction email
Use Case 8: After Business Meeting
Every email you send is a reflection of you — so, when you send follow-up emails after business meetings, ensure they're as useful as possible for recipients.
If the business meeting is especially long or important, you may even mention a few notable accomplishments in your email. This helps you keep everyone motivated while showing them you recognize their achievements.
[Date] meeting recap
Hey team,
Thanks for another great meeting today. Here’s a quick recap of what we talked about, what we have to focus on in the coming weeks, and steps we need to take to accomplish our goals.
Objective: Discuss monthly growth figures to determine wins, losses, and areas to improve
Conversation items:
New channels struggling to maintain retention levels
Missed target: increase upgraded users by 7%
Hiring needs: 3 additions to growth team, 7 additions to dev team
Action items:
Restructure support team to improve retention and customer satisfaction Owner
Implement A/B testing discussed on premium products Owner
Begin job board posting and internal outreach for open positions Owner
Next meeting: Thursday, 8/16 to review learnings from CRM beta
Keep it up!
Hey all,
Incredibly excited about the progress we’ve all made. Wanted to take a moment to recognize a few key accomplishments:
- Describe key accomplishment and why it matters.
- Describe key accomplishment and why it matters.
In addition, I wanted to recognize some key players into making the above happen smoothly.
- Team Member Name: Describe key accomplishment and why it matters.
- Team Member Name: Describe key accomplishment and why it matters.
Thank you!
Use Case 9: Asking for Feedback
Maybe you simply want to ask someone in your network for feedback. Whether they're an industry expert, recently interviewed or met with you, or worked on a project similar to the one you're embarking on, feedback can be extremely valuable to your success — all you need to do is ask for it.
Would appreciate your feedback
Hi First Name,
I really enjoyed meeting you at event. Your impressive experience and influence in name of field align with what I am currently working on, your project name, at company.
I know how busy you must be, but I was wondering if you'd have a moment to take a look at part of your project or initiative, if possible? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
In particular, I'm looking for any and all feedback in these areas: list areas for feedback.
Thank you so much for your time and input.
Use Case 10: After an Informational Interview
Whether you're looking for an internship, your first job out of school, or a position in an entirely new industry, you may schedule an informational interview with someone in your network to learn more about the field. Informational interviews are a great way to get advice from those already in the industry you're thinking about entering and to learn from their experiences.
Thank you for sharing your advice and expertise
Hi First Name,
Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me today and discuss specific industry or business.
I enjoyed learning more about specific thing you learned and hearing about your transition from undergrad into field.
Our discussion confirmed my interest in industry. I hope to keep in touch as I begin my journey towards a career path similar to the one you've taken.
Thank you again for your time and advice. I'll let you know how my interview with company goes next week!
Take Your Networking to the Next Level
Your follow-up email after networking might be the difference between landing the next round of interviews, connecting with a potential business partner, or acquiring a new customer. Whether you attended a conference, business meeting, or special event, it's important to reach out afterward to foster your relationship, demonstrate your value, and express your gratitude. So, review the templates above and begin customizing your messages to grow your network.
https://www.hubspot.com/sales/follow-up-email-after-meeting-networking
