After a networking event most people gauge the success of the event on how many business cards they managed to collect, we often forget that the follow up is the most important part of networking. Believe it or not those business cards serve a better purpose than an art collage to entertain you at your desk or an easily accessible nail file.

Here’s What You Do:

The Exchange: There are several manners in which  people exchange business cards, really there are no set guidelines, do whatever works for you as long you are not forcing it down the throat of someone,  like feeding food to a baby. After the networking event, give yourself three days before you start your follow up.

Send e-mails rather than calling its just less creepier; your email should be to the point :

• Greeting
• Touch Base
• Drop a line of hoping to work together in the future(Try not to look desperate)
• And if you’ve got balls of steel; share an idea or two

Keep in mind that you will not get responses back from everyone you followed up with, don’t take it personal remember it’s just business, some of them will contact you only when they need you. That being said do not resend e-mails in an effort to get a response, with every email you send your digging any potential opportunities you might had have with this person into a deeper grave.

As for your “potentials” – people that responded to you that you might need and possibly work with in the future; try to never lose touch,  send a short e-mail every three months and yes  those pervasive words again “Touch Base”