Keep Doing This If You Want to Lose Connections

There’s a simple task many fail to do when building relationships that helps to establish a level of trust and accountability.

And if you keep neglecting to do it, you run the risk of giving yourself a bad reputation among your networks and possibly lose some connections.

I’m talking about what happens when you don’t follow up.

How many times have you said: “We need to schedule a time to catch up!” and don’t do it? Or emailed someone in your networks to ask for assistance—and they replied they would be happy to help—and then you never reached out to them again? Probably more times than you can count. And guess what? You’re not alone.

Following up is something small that makes a big impact, yet few actually carry it out. And people don’t want to be associated with those who consistently never follow through, so if you continue to overlook it you may jeopardize your relationships.

What Happens When You Don’t Follow Up?

There’s an old saying that goes: “The fortune is in the follow up.” But unfortunately, many people don’t prosper from this fortune because they just don’t do it.

It’s astonishing to me when I realize the number of individuals who don’t take the time to follow through on what they said they’d do or even say thank you if someone goes out of their way to assist you. Or worse, the amount of people who are now “ghosting”, which happens when they cut off all communication but without any kind of explanation.

Not only is it disrespectful, but you compromise your integrity if you don’t follow up. It is a simple gesture that goes a long way and helps you stand out when nurturing relationships; it also makes you stand out when you DON’T do it—but for the wrong reasons.

When you lose people’s trust, they may not have faith in your capabilities and they’re highly unlikely to:

• Do business with you
• Recommend you
• Hire you
• Be social with you
• Be professional with you
• Ask you for assistance
• Contact you about opportunities
• Facilitate introductions on your behalf

If you continuously never follow through you may harm the relationships you have with those in your spheres of influence and also with people you’re looking to create a connection with. You turn into that person who makes others feel apprehensive when your name pops up on their phone or email inbox. This is not the way to build up your networks! In fact, you’re most likely to lose connections rather than make them.

According to entrepreneur and public speaker Mark E. Sackett: “Over 70% of people who meet someone at a networking event, never follow up.” This leads to so many missed opportunities. By not following through you’re hurting your prospect for fostering connections that could have a positive impact on your success. If you let the relationship hang out the wind—it will just get blown away.

What Happens When You Do Follow Up?

I can’t express how important it is to follow up on your actions and the tremendous value that is gained from it. Doing so adds to your worth as people get to know, like and trust you, and it demonstrates you’re in the right networking mindset and care enough to put in the time to build a relationship.

It shows you’re a person of your word and that you implement good networking habits. Following up signals that you made that individual a priority. It solidifies your reputation as someone who is reliable and dependable and gets things done, which makes others more inclined to introduce others to you. Those in your networks will feel good knowing that if you followed through on a commitment to them, you’re inclined to do so for their connections as well.

“Diligent follow up and follow through will set you apart from the crowd and communicate excellence.”

John C. Maxwell

Be proactive and follow up to finalize a time for that catch up. Think about it: If YOU don’t confirm a date most likely the other person won’t either. Do it within the first 24-48 hours of an introduction or your last interaction while the concept is still fresh. Call or send an email or text message and mention specific items you discussed and address what was initially promised by either (or both) of you.

If you said you’d facilitate an introduction, then do it. If you asked for assistance on a project and have people who said they would help, reach out to each and every person. If you had a job interview and want to reiterate how you’re the perfect candidate for the role, send a thank you note.

You need to gain and maintain the trust of others in your networks by following up on following through! This is one relationship-building habit you must make part of your networking routine.

Strengthen Your Connections By Following Up

When you take the initiative to develop a relationship you are seen in a certain light; it puts people in a position to WANT to do business with you. A cornerstone of networking is building value with your connections and instilling confidence and credibility, which happens when you properly follow up and are genuine and true to your word. It also happens when you follow through on promises made or opportunities presented to you.

But when you don’t do it there’s the possibility you may lose a few of your connections. Always take the time to properly follow up and demonstrate to your networks how trustworthy and dependable you can be.

Become NetWorkWise Certified

Learn more strategies on how you can provide value to your contacts and create robust networks by becoming a NetWorkWise Certified Professional. Through self-paced micro-courses, downloadable resources, quiz questions and action steps, our certification program helps you gain an understanding of the right way to cultivate connections and how to nurture expansive networks that enable your success. Once complete, you receive credentials validating you as an expert in creating world-class relationships. I encourage you to sign up today and become NetWorkWise Certified!