Follow Up After Every Networking Contact Within 24 Hours

Most networking advice focuses on making initial contact. The real value comes from following up consistently after conversations. People remember those who follow through, not those who ask for one conversation and disappear.

Following up within 24 hours after any networking interaction—informational interview, coffee meeting, brief conversation, or helpful email exchange—keeps you visible and demonstrates professionalism.

The follow-up serves three purposes:

It thanks the person for their time and acknowledges the value of the conversation.

It reinforces something specific from your discussion so they remember you clearly.

It maintains the relationship by suggesting a clear next step rather than letting the conversation die.

After any networking interaction this week, send a follow-up within 24 hours using this structure:

Thank them specifically

Not "Thanks for your time" but "Thank you for taking 30 minutes yesterday to discuss how product marketing differs from growth marketing."

The specific reference shows you were paying attention and found value in what they shared.

Reference one specific thing from the conversation

"Your point about how positioning work happens earlier in the product development cycle than I realized was particularly helpful. It makes sense why you emphasized cross-functional collaboration."

This proves you were listening actively and absorbed what they said. It also gives them something to respond to if they want to continue the conversation.

Suggest a next step if appropriate

If they offered to introduce you to someone: "If you're still willing to introduce me to Sarah Chen, I'd appreciate that. I'll follow up with her directly once you make the introduction."

If they mentioned a resource: "I'm going to read the book you recommended about brand positioning and would be interested in your thoughts after I've finished it."

If the conversation was purely informational: "I'll keep you updated on my job search and let you know when I land something."

If there's no natural next step: "Thanks again for your insights. I'll reach out if questions come up as I continue exploring opportunities in this field."

The next step should be clear and low-effort for them. Don't ask them to do substantial work. Make it easy for them to help you.

Example follow-up email:

Subject: Thank you – Product marketing conversation

Hi Jennifer,

Thank you for taking time yesterday to talk about product marketing roles and what the work actually involves. Your explanation of how positioning happens at the product development stage rather than at launch clarified a lot about why these roles require the cross-functional collaboration you emphasized.

I'm going to reach out to the LinkedIn groups you mentioned and start contributing to discussions there to build visibility in the field. I'll keep you updated on how the search progresses and let you know when I land something.

Thanks again for your time and insights.

Best, Alex

This email is brief, specific, and includes a clear next step without asking Jennifer to do additional work.

Common follow-up mistakes that reduce effectiveness:

Being too generic. "Thanks for the conversation" without any specific reference to what was discussed suggests you've already forgotten what they said.

Asking for more help immediately. If someone just spent 30 minutes talking with you, don't ask for three more things in your follow-up. Let them breathe.

Sending it three days later. By then they've had dozens of other conversations and forgotten the details of yours. Follow up within 24 hours while you're still fresh in their mind.

Making it about you instead of them. The follow-up should acknowledge what they gave you, not remind them what you need.

Not following up at all. This is the most common mistake. People have helpful conversations, intend to follow up, and never do. Then they wonder why their network doesn't help them.

After sending the follow-up, track it in your job search spreadsheet:

Date of conversation Person's name Brief notes on what you discussed
Date you sent follow-up Any next steps agreed upon

This tracking prevents you from forgetting to follow up and helps you remember context when you reconnect with someone weeks or months later.

If someone helped you significantly—made an introduction that led to an interview, provided advice that changed your approach, or spent substantial time helping you—send a more substantial thank you after you've acted on their help.

"The introduction to Michael resulted in an interview. Thank you for making that connection. Regardless of whether I get the job, having that conversation helped me understand what hiring managers in this field are actually looking for."

This closes the loop and makes them feel like their help mattered, which makes them more likely to help you again or help others in the future.

One networking interaction this week. One follow-up sent within 24 hours. One relationship maintained through professional follow-through. That's how networking compounds over time into opportunities.