Business Strategy Tip: No Follow Up...No Sales!

I just returned from eWomenNetwork National Conference and I will say it was electrifying. The energy along with the brilliant and powerful women just blew my mind. However, I would suspect that many of those who attended will not follow up and will lose many amazing opportunities.

What about you? How many networking events, seminars, lunches and coffees have you attended and afterwards you found yourself with a bunch of business cards that you politely place inside your top desk drawer?

Here is the thing..if you do not follow up you will not grow your business the way you wish. I too struggle with the same challenges as you and what I learned is one simple truth…if it is left up to me solely I will FAIL. I know you are probably thinking…how motivating? But I am a truth teller and I am reminded of a quote by W. Edward Deming that states “95% of all failure has nothing to do with the people but rather the systems.” Let me just add to the quote by saying or lack of a system.

What is your plan when you attend a networking event? Do you have a systematic and automated way of following up? If the answer is no then I will sadly predict that you will fail. It is because I am committed to your success that I am willing to have this big girl conversation with you and challenge you to look at what you are doing in regards to follow-up.

Here are the some things to consider:

1) Prior to attending a networking event, clearly determine your outcome or objective. How many people would you like to meet? Or is there a certain person you are targeting?

2) Make sure you have time blocked out to follow up. If you are attending a breakfast or lunch…schedule (1) hour in the afternoon on the same day to send personal notes, emails, or follow-up calls to schedule those all important lunches or coffees. If it is an evening event…schedule time the following morning before you begin your day.

3) Place them into you autoresponder systems…with permission so that you can systematically drip on them. I would highly recommend you checkout a service such as Monster Follow-Up.

4) Make the appointment and keep the appointment. I cannot tell you how many people who have called me to have coffee and then flake because something came up which was deemed more important than a new client. Unbelievable but true. Be a person of integrity and honor your commitments. Another great tool for scheduling appointments is TimeTrade which helps with the automation process.

5) Determine how you can serve them while you are at the meeting. If it is a connection….make the introduction. If it is a book…send them a copy. ADD value first and then work at nurturing the relationship.

These are just some business strategy tips that you can do to really impact, improve and skyrocket your sales.

Happy networking…or better yet “To the Follow-Up!”