You attended an event, struck up some really good conversations, made new connections on LinkedIn and made promises to follow up.
In your usual delivery, you send messages after this event and get no response. Now, if you are a lawyer trying to get more into BD and you are trying it out by attending networking events and making new connections, it’s not your thing. You are only making an effort because it is important to demonstrate these attributes if you are ever going to make partner at your firm.
You sent your follow-up messages, emails, and LinkedIn requests, but some people you thought you had connected with at the event didn’t respond.
Days, weeks, months, nothing and whenever it crosses your mind, you wonder if you were wrong about the connection you sensed.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been in this situation.
I have, and yes, because of my experience in sales, I don’t take it to heart- especially knowing that my typical approach to meeting people isn’t first about selling to them or making them do anything; it is about actually knowing them as people first. I mean, except I am inviting them to an event I am hosting (where there is an obvious call to action) but that’s even because I want to get an opportunity to know them more.
So, don’t take it to heart if, after a good chat or a good meeting, your follow-up message/email goes unanswered. If you think it’s wise to send subsequent follow-up messages/emails, do so, but make sure you don’t force a connection that isn’t there. You should spend more of your time on the people who responded to you and are open to building a deeper connection with you; you have immense value you bring, and you must acknowledge that.
Also, remember that it is always a numbers game😂. Don’t stop attending relevant events with your target audience and asking for meetings to explore opportunities. Do not stop!