Here is how to follow up after a networking event: send a short, personal message within 24 to 48 hours, on the channel the person prefers. Remind them where you met, mention one thing you discussed, and offer one clear, easy next step. If they don’t reply, follow up once or twice more, then stop.
Most advice on this stops at email. This guide covers the three channels people actually use after an event (email, WhatsApp and LinkedIn), with a template for each, what to send when nobody replies, and a simple way to keep track of new contacts so the people you meet do not slip away.
How to follow up after a networking event: the 48-hour rule
The best time to follow up is while you are still fresh in the other person’s mind. Within a day or two, they can still picture your face and remember the conversation. Wait two weeks and your message has to work much harder, because you are starting again from almost zero.
The 48-hour rule is a habit, not a law. If the event ends on a Friday evening, a message on Monday morning is fine. What matters is that you choose a time and keep to it, instead of waiting for a perfect moment that never comes.
How soon to follow up after meeting someone
- The same evening: a quick WhatsApp message, or a LinkedIn connection request if you agreed to connect there.
- Within 48 hours: the main follow-up email or message, with the next step you discussed.
- About a week later: a gentle second message if you have not heard back.
- Two to three weeks later: a final, no-pressure note. After that, let it rest.
During the event: capture context while you still remember it
Good follow-up starts at the event itself. After a day of conversations, names and faces blur together. A message that says “great to meet you” with nothing specific reads like a mass message, and people treat it like one.
After each useful conversation, step aside for a minute and type a short note on your phone:
- Their name, role and organization. Check the spelling against their card or profile.
- One thing you talked about: a project, a problem, a shared interest, even last night’s match.
- Anything either of you promised, such as “send the article”, “introduce her to my printer” or “share my rate card”.
- How they prefer to be reached. Simply ask: “What is the best way to reach you: email, WhatsApp or LinkedIn?”
That last question saves a lot of guessing. Some people check email once a day; others answer WhatsApp within minutes and rarely open their inbox. Follow up where they told you they are.
Email follow-up: a template and examples
Email works best for formal next steps: a proposal, a meeting request, an introduction to a colleague or anything they may want to forward. A good networking follow-up email is short enough to read on a phone, with a subject line that reminds them who you are.
Follow-up email template
Subject: Great meeting you at [event name]
Hi [first name],
It was good to meet you at [event name] on [day]. I enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic], especially your point about [detail].
As promised, here is [the article / my rate card / the contact I mentioned]. [One sentence on why it is useful to them.]
Would you be open to a 20-minute call next week to talk about [shared interest]? I am free on [two options], or happy to work around your schedule.
Best regards,
[Your name], [role], [phone / WhatsApp]
Examples of a strong opening line
- “You mentioned your school is moving its fee reminders online, so I thought this short checklist might help.”
- “Thank you for the tip about the co-working space you recommended. I visited on Saturday and you were right.”
- “I have attached the sample proposal I mentioned during the panel Q&A.”
Two small details make a big difference. Put the event name in the subject line so the email is easy to find later, and end with a signature that carries your phone number, WhatsApp and website so the reader can choose how to reply. If yours needs work, the free Email Signature tool lets you make one in your browser, with no sign-up.
WhatsApp follow-up: etiquette and a short template
For many business owners, WhatsApp is where real work gets done. A follow-up message on WhatsApp feels more personal than email, which is exactly why it can feel intrusive if the tone is wrong.
WhatsApp etiquette for a first follow-up
- Introduce yourself in the first line. They may not have saved your number yet.
- Send one message, not five. Put the greeting, the reminder and the request together, instead of a string of “Hello”, “Good afternoon” and “How are you?”
- Text first. Do not call or send a long voice note on first contact unless they asked you to.
- Mind the time. A business message at 11pm on a Sunday is easy to resent.
- Ask before adding them anywhere. Never drop a new contact into a group or a promotional broadcast just because you exchanged numbers.
That last point is about more than manners. Under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, you need a lawful basis, such as consent, to process someone’s personal data, and people have the right to object to their data being used for direct marketing at any time. Once they object, you have to stop. So keep follow-ups personal and one-to-one, and ask before you add anyone to a sales list.
WhatsApp follow-up template
Good afternoon [first name], this is [your name] from [your business]. We met at [event name] yesterday and talked about [topic]. As promised, here is [link or file]. If it would help, I am happy to [next step]. Have a lovely week.
If you would rather people message you first, put a WhatsApp chat link behind a button on your website or slides. The free WhatsApp Chat Link tool makes one in your browser, so nobody has to type your number by hand.
LinkedIn connection notes that get accepted
LinkedIn is the natural place to follow up with people you met at conferences, panels and industry events, because it keeps you visible long after the event. A connection request with a short, specific note is far easier to accept than a blank one from a name they half remember.
Keep the note brief. LinkedIn’s help centre says free members can add a personalized note to only a limited number of invitations each month, with a 200-character limit per note, while Premium members can personalize every invitation. The monthly allowance has changed more than once, so check what your own account shows when you select Add a note, and save your notes for the people you most want to stay in touch with.
LinkedIn connection message template
Hi [first name], great meeting you at [event] today. I enjoyed our chat about [topic] and would like to stay in touch here. [Your name]
With a typical name, event and topic filled in, this comes to about 150 characters, which leaves room to spare. Once they accept, do not follow with a sales pitch. Send a short thank-you, or simply respond to something they post. The aim is a relationship, not a quick sale.
What to send when they don’t reply
Silence is rarely a firm no. People travel, get busy and lose messages under dozens of others. One or two polite follow-ups are normal; ten are not.
- Second message, about a week later. Reply in the same thread so they can see the context, and add something new rather than “just checking in”.
- Final message, two to three weeks later. Make it easy to say no, or not now.
- Then stop. Note it in your log and look for a natural reason to reconnect later, such as their next event, a new role or a post worth commenting on.
Template: the second follow-up
Hi [first name], following up on my note from last week. I came across [article / resource / event] on [topic we discussed] and thought of you. Still happy to [next step] whenever it suits you.
Template: the final, no-pressure note
Hi [first name], I know things get busy, so this is my last nudge. If [next step] is not a priority right now, no problem at all. I would be glad to reconnect whenever the timing is better.
Keep a simple contact log and set reminders
Most follow-ups fail not because of bad writing but because of forgetting. A simple log fixes that and helps you keep track of new contacts. It can be a spreadsheet, a notes app or a page in your diary, as long as you fill it in on the day.
| Column | What to write |
|---|---|
| Name and organization | Spelled correctly, with their role |
| Where we met | Event name and date |
| What we discussed | One or two specific details |
| Promised next step | What you said you would do, and what they said |
| Preferred channel | Email, WhatsApp, LinkedIn or phone |
| Last contact | The date and what you sent |
| Next reminder | The date of your next follow-up |
Set a calendar reminder for each “next reminder” date as soon as you write it down. If you use the WhatsApp Business app, labels let you sort chats and contacts for follow-up, so a label such as “Met at [event]” keeps those conversations together. WhatsApp’s custom chat lists can do a similar job.
Review the log once a week. Ten minutes on a Friday is enough to see who is waiting on you, who has gone quiet and who deserves a thank-you.
Make follow-up easier next time: share your details digitally
The easiest follow-up is the one where the other person already has your details, correct and complete. Paper cards get lost in bags, and numbers scribbled on the back of a programme get mistyped. A few small changes help before your next event:
- Put a QR code on your materials. A QR code on your name tag, last slide or table card can open your website, profile or WhatsApp chat. You can make one with the free QR Code Generator.
- Refresh your printed card. If you still hand out paper cards, add a QR code and check that your WhatsApp number and email are current. The Business Card Maker runs in your browser and downloads as PNG or PDF.
- Use a digital card. TSB Card is a premium electronic business card with its own personal profile. One tap or scan opens your profile: who you are, what you offer and every way to reach you. Instead of copying a number from a crumpled card, the person you met has everything in one place. A communications workspace for managing the conversations that follow is in development.
If you are building a reputation around your own name, how you follow up is part of your brand. I share more about that, and how I work with people in that position, on my page for personal brands.
Frequently asked questions
How soon should I follow up after meeting someone at an event?
Aim for 24 to 48 hours. The person can still picture you and remember what you talked about. A quick WhatsApp message or LinkedIn request can go the same evening, with the fuller follow-up within two days. If the event ends on a Friday, Monday morning is fine.
Should I follow up by email or WhatsApp?
Use the channel the person prefers, and the easiest way to know is to ask at the event. Email suits formal next steps such as proposals, meeting requests and introductions. WhatsApp suits a quick, friendly reminder, especially with people who rarely check their inbox. Introduce yourself in the first line either way.
How many times should I follow up if there is no reply?
Two follow-ups after your first message is a sensible limit. Send the second about a week later in the same thread, with something useful added, and a final no-pressure note two to three weeks after that. Then stop, note it in your contact log and wait for a natural reason to reconnect.
What should I write in a LinkedIn connection request?
Mention where you met, one thing you discussed and that you would like to stay in touch. Keep it under 200 characters, which is the limit LinkedIn gives free members for a personalized note. Leave the sales pitch out. A short, specific note is much easier to accept than a blank request.
Can I add people I met at an event to my marketing broadcast?
Ask first. Under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 you need a lawful basis, such as consent, to use someone’s personal data, and people can object to direct marketing at any time. Once they object, you must stop. Exchanging numbers at an event is not the same as agreeing to receive promotions.
