The Importance of Consistency in Networking

Why Your Follow-Up Game is Holding You Back (and How to Fix It) Let’s be real: lots of people crush the first meeting. You come in prepared, hit all the right notes, and leave feeling like you’ve just opened the door to a golden opportunity. But then… radio silence. No follow-up. Or worse, you do follow up, but the relationship fizzles out because you don’t know how to keep the momentum going. Sound familiar? It’s not just you, most people are great at starting relationships, but very few know how to maintain them. The truth is, the first meeting is just the audition. The real magic happens in how you nurture the connection after that. Here’s how to step up your game: 1. End the Meeting with a Clear Next Step Don’t leave the meeting with vague promises like “Let’s keep in touch” or “I’ll follow up soon.” Instead, nail down a specific action: “I’ll send you the article I mentioned by tomorrow.” “Let’s schedule a time next week to dig deeper into X.” “Would it be helpful if I connected you with someone in my network who does Y?” Make it actionable and time-bound so you’re not left scrambling later. 2. Personalize Your Follow-Up After the meeting, don’t just send a generic “Great to meet you!” email. Instead, reference something specific you discussed: A challenge they’re facing. A book, tool, or resource you promised to share. An idea you brainstormed together. This shows you were engaged and are invested in their success, not just yours. 3. Add Value Before You Ask for Anything This is where most people go wrong. They think, “How soon can I pitch them?” Instead, focus on helping them first. Share resources, insights, or connections that could make their life easier. The more value you bring, the more likely they’ll stick around for the long haul. 4. Be Consistent Without Being Annoying Networking is about staying top of mind without being a pest. Use these strategies to stay in touch without overstepping: Send a quick update on a topic you discussed (e.g., “I thought of you when I saw this article about X”). Check in after a few weeks with a question about their progress or needs. Invite them to an event, webinar, or coffee chat if it aligns with their goals. Consistency beats intensity. Don’t disappear for six months and then randomly pop up with an ask. 5. Schedule a Relationship Check-In Make it a habit to review your key relationships every month. Who needs a follow-up? Who can you re-engage? Networking isn’t about waiting for the right moment; it’s about creating opportunities through regular touchpoints. --- The Bottom Line: Strong networking isn’t built on one-off meetings—it’s built on intentional follow-ups. Stop thinking of it as “bugging” people and start treating it like building a partnership. The people who master this are the ones who stand out. So, take ownership of your follow-up strategy, and don’t let those first meetings go to waste.

Something I have noticed over the past year or so is that a lot of people pour into LinkedIn and become very active, engaging in posting, commenting, liking, sharing, sending messages, connecting, etc., when they have lost their jobs and are unemployed—when before that, they were nowhere to be seen or found. Then, once they find a job and gain employment, they are rarely active or responsive anymore, or they just completely vanish into thin air like a fart in the wind, never to be seen or heard from again until they are in need again. I don’t believe that’s how networking and building connections and relationships work. You can’t just show up when you’re in need, then vanish once your needs are met and ignore all the connections you’ve made while you were seeking help. It seems a bit selfish and self-absorbed. I don’t know… True networking to me is about building and maintaining relationships over time, not just when it's convenient. It’s about giving as much as you receive—whether that’s offering advice, sharing opportunities, or simply staying in touch. By only engaging during times of need, these individuals may miss out on the long-term benefits of a strong, reciprocal network. I believe consistent engagement (it doesn’t even have to be daily), even when you don't "need" something, fosters genuine connections. It’s like any relationship—if it’s only one-sided, it’s going to feel hollow. What are everyone’s thoughts about this? #networking #relationships #linkedin #careerdevelopment #professionalconnections #consistency #communitybuilding #jobsearch #networkingtips #careergoals #professionalgrowth #careeradvice #relationshipbuilding #personalbranding #connectivity #mutualsupport #engagement #jobhunting #careerprogression #collaboration #stayconnected

Effective networking goes beyond mere transactions; it thrives on genuine connections and continuous engagement. A simple yet powerful tip: stay in touch with the significant individuals in your network annually. Reach out, share updates about yourself, and inquire about their well-being. Recently, I received a referral request from someone looking to join a company where I hold an investment. Surprisingly, the last interaction I had with this individual was 8 years ago when they sought assistance in a previous job search. This scenario highlights the importance of maintaining consistent communication and sharing progress along the way. Building lasting relationships through networking involves more than just occasional transactions. It necessitates ongoing dialogue and mutual support to foster meaningful connections and opportunities. Let's strive for networking that is enriching and enduring, transcending mere exchanges.