How To Write a Networking Follow-Up Email (Plus 5 Samples)

Updated February 3, 2023

An illustration of a pair of hands holding a smartphone, with icons floating above the screen to indicate email components

Networking is an important part of building relationships in the professional world. The connections you make can help you find new jobs, learn about career options and better understand your career goals. If you'd like to improve your networking technique and improve the chance of creating a meaningful professional connection, writing a follow-up email can be a useful strategy to try.

In this article, we provide a guide to help you send an effective networking follow-up email, explain why doing so may be beneficial and provide five sample emails for guidance.

How to write a follow-up email after networking

After meeting someone interesting at an event, you want to follow up quickly, ideally within 24 hours. Here are some steps you can follow to write an effective networking follow-up email:

1. Write an intriguing subject line

To ensure that your recipient reads your email, keep your subject line brief and intriguing. This can help the individual reading it notice the email in their inbox and decide to open and read your email. You may also include elements like the following to attack their interest:

The person's name
The title of a publication they wrote
The place you first met or connected
A shared common interest

Related: 20 Ways To Start an Email

2. Introduce yourself

Briefly introduce yourself by including your full name and your area of professional interest. You can also remind the individual of the circumstances by which you met and review any of your conversations from the networking events or conference. It may be useful to mention a specific memory, such as, "I enjoyed talking with you after the lecture on human rights at the Hello Conference."

3. Include details

Next, it can be helpful to explain more about what you hope to gain from further communication. Consider telling the recipient about the value that you provide, how you can help them and why your relationship may be mutually beneficial. For example, you could offer to connect them with someone you know or to forward a relevant article.

Related: How To Write a Follow-Up Email

4. Arrange to meet

Arranging to meet is a great way to further your conversation and make a reliable contact. Consider suggesting a time to meet up for coffee if you live close to the recipient. You may offer to continue a conversation you were having at the event or ask to schedule an informational interview to learn more about the recipient's career path or gain advice. A phone call can also be a useful method of remaining in contact if meeting in person is challenging. Try to offer your new contact at least two dates and times when you're available to meet.

5. Say thank you

Thank your new contact for their time and consideration. Showing your appreciation can differentiate you from other networkers. It can also give a positive first impression of your personality and professionalism, which may be beneficial if the recipient decides to recommend you for a job or introduce you to another peer.

6. Be professional

Creating a clear and respectful email is a great way to demonstrate your professionalism. Here are a few tips to help you do so:

Begin with a friendly introduction such as "Hello," "Hi," or "Dear [Name]."
Separate your thoughts into clear paragraphs.
Use standard fonts and font sizes.
End with a respectful salutation like "Thank you," "Best," or "Sincerely."

You can also sign and hyperlink your email to your professional online profile. Connecting on professional sites may strengthen your professional relationship. Your new contact may in the future recommend you for your abilities.

7. Read aloud and edit

Read and edit your email a couple of times out loud to ensure your email is error-free. This can help you give a positive first impression. Once your email is ready to send, read over it again, and ask yourself whether you'd open and reply to your email if you were receiving it. You can also ask a friend or colleague to review your email before you press send.

Why write a network follow-up email?

Writing a follow-up email after networking with a notable professional is an effective technique for helping that individual remember your interaction. It can also be a great way to continue a conversation, which may be particularly helpful following a brief original interaction. Relationships that you make through networking can be vital for your career development, and writing a letter solidifies your new connection and sets up the foundation for a strong business relationship.

5 sample follow-up emails

Here are a few sample networking follow-up email templates for different networking circumstances.

1. After a networking event

It's important to personalize your follow-up email briefly while including as many details as you can. Here's a sample you can reference when writing this type of follow-up email:

Subject: Have you tried using WordLine to create your website?

Hi Gabriel,

I'm glad we met at the Future IT event. I thought about our discussion on best practices for website development and loved your take on keeping up with the latest technology. Have you tried using WordLine? I use that framework for my website and found it user-friendly.

I'd love to chat more about it. Can we set up a face-to-face meeting next week over a cup of coffee? I'm available on Tuesday or Thursday morning.

Again, it was great meeting you at Future IT, and I look forward to meeting up soon.

Thanks,

Maya Smart

2. After a conference to promote your service

Network events provide a great opportunity to promote your services or products. After the event, send a follow-up email like the following to encourage future collaboration with the company or person:

Subject: Maria, this may help you with your sales goals

Hi Maria,

It was great meeting you at the End Times Marketing event. In our conversation, you mentioned that you're aiming for a 30% increase in sales over the next six months, and I thought I'd share a book that I found very useful and using the tips I exceeded my own sales target goal last quarter. It's called Sales for Tomorrow, I've attached the digital version. I hope you enjoy it.

I'll be happy to discuss my approach and the book with you. Can we meet for a coffee next week? I'm available any day next week.

Thanks,

Ana

3. To ask for a meeting appointment

A follow-up email to set up a meeting works to discuss a matter more thoroughly or pitch an idea. This is a short email, remember to be considerate of a person's time, working within their availability. Here's an example to consider:

Subject: Free for coffee?

Hello Hans,

I enjoyed meeting you last night at AB Solutions event. I really benefited from talking to you about what you do and I would love the opportunity to connect over coffee and learn more about your experience with copywriting. I'm currently the copywriter for Intec and am very interested in how you use Grammark to enhance your writing.

I know you're very busy, but I thought I'd check if you've time for a 20-minute coffee break this Wednesday or Friday at 10 a.m.?

Best,

Jacob

4. To reconnect with a former colleague

Reconnecting with former colleagues is a great way to keep your professional relationships up-to-date. Here is a follow-up email example you might reference when contacting a former peer after a networking event:

Subject: So great to reconnect

Hi Toby,

It was wonderful to see you yesterday at the Simthen Conference. I am so glad you're doing well and I hope you continue to enjoy your new position at Ringerfeld and Sons. I also loved chatting about the new sales restrictions with a fellow former associate. If you're staying in town, would you like to get coffee and continue our conversation sometime? It's such a pleasure to stay connected with colleagues in the area.

Best,

Gary

5. If you haven't received an answer to a previous follow-up email

You may not have received an answer to your first follow-up email. In this second email, be very specific as to who you're or where you work, as in the following example:

Subject: Hello Jose, we met at the Happy Year event

Dear Jose,

I'm Rose from Ready Press. Last week I sent you an email about publishing. I was very impressed with how you grew your profits by 50% in six months. I've had a look at your website and it's amazing how dynamic your product is.

I thought you'd be interested in adding what Ready Press has to offer, which is different from other solutions you've previously used. With coverage in over 120 countries, I'm sure we can benefit you.

Let me know if you're interested. I'd love to discuss available opportunities and your feedback.

Sincerely,

Olivia

Ready Press