Have you ever left a networking event with a handful of new contacts and no idea what to do next?
How do you follow up without sounding like you are immediately trying to sell something?
And once you make a good connection, how do you stay top of mind without becoming another email they automatically delete?
In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra Corman talks with Ely Delaney about what happens after the networking event. Meeting someone is only the beginning. The real opportunity comes from how you follow up, continue the conversation, and build enough trust that people actually remember you.
Ely explains why one of the biggest networking mistakes is going straight for the sale. Instead, he recommends making the conversation about the other person. Ask who they serve, learn what kinds of referral relationships matter to them, and look for ways to be useful.
Kendra and Ely also explore how email can help you maintain those relationships at scale. They discuss how often to email, why short and personal messages can outperform polished newsletters, and how automated nurture emails can still feel like genuine communication when they are done well.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to follow up after networking without immediately pitching
- Why relationship-building should come before selling
- How email can help you stay top of mind with prospects and referral partners
- Why useful, conversational emails can generate more engagement than traditional newsletters
- How often you should consider emailing your audience
- How to use automation without making your communication feel automated
The opportunity is not simply to collect more contacts. It is to build a follow-up system that keeps good relationships alive long after the networking event ends.
About Ely Delaney
Ely Delaney began using networking to grow his first business in the 1990s, eventually building his web and graphic design agency from a dining-room operation into a business with employees and a steady stream of new contracts. Over time, he began developing follow-up and email systems designed to help businesses stay connected, add value, and turn conversations into long-term relationships.
Connect with Ely:
Website: elydelaney.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elydelaney
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