Intermediate 7 min read May 2026

Following Up After Events: The Message That Gets Remembered

You’ve met someone interesting at a networking event. Now what? We’ll show you exactly how to send a follow-up that doesn’t feel like spam and actually builds the relationship forward.

Professional woman in business attire making notes during a networking event, holding a cup of coffee

Marcus Tan

Senior Networking Coach & Content Director

Marcus has spent 14 years building professional relationships across Asia-Pacific and now leads content strategy at Nexus Connect Pte Ltd.

The Follow-Up Makes or Breaks It

Here’s what most people get wrong: They think the handshake is the relationship. It’s not. The conversation at the event is just the beginning. The real connection happens in what you do next.

Most follow-ups fail because they’re either too formal (“I enjoyed our conversation…”), too vague (“Let’s stay in touch”), or just disappear entirely. You’re not building anything when you disappear. But you’re also not building anything when you sound like a template.

The follow-up that works is personal, specific, and genuinely helpful. It’s a message that shows you were actually listening. That you remembered something they said. That you’re thinking about how you might connect or collaborate, not just collecting contacts.

Person typing a thoughtful message on a laptop, warm office lighting, professional workspace with coffee and notebook visible

Calendar page with highlighted date and reminder notifications, clean minimal desk setup

Timing Matters — But Not the Way You Think

The old rule was “follow up within 24 hours.” That’s not wrong, but it’s also not magic. What matters more is following up before they forget you completely. If the event was Friday, don’t wait until the following Thursday.

Send your message within 48 hours. That’s the window. Why? Because the conversation is still fresh in their mind. They remember the specific thing you talked about — not just “met someone at an event.”

The Real Timing Rule: Send it while they still remember you specifically, not while they’re still clearing emails from the event.

Don’t overthink this. A message on Sunday after a Friday event is fine. Tuesday morning after Monday drinks is fine. The point is: soon enough that it connects to something real.

The Structure That Works

You don’t need fancy words or a complicated approach. Here’s what actually works:

Reference Something Specific

Don’t say “It was great to meet you.” Say “I really enjoyed hearing about your transition into product management — especially the part about how you navigated the learning curve.” This shows you were actually present.

Make It About Them First

Before you ask for anything or mention yourself, acknowledge what they’re doing or working on. “I thought of your point about remote team dynamics when I was reading about company culture yesterday.” You’re connecting the dots between your conversation and the real world.

Offer Something Concrete

Don’t just say “Let’s grab coffee sometime.” Instead: “I found an article on marketing automation that relates to what you mentioned — I’m forwarding it now. Would love to hear your thoughts when you have a moment.” You’re giving something first. That changes everything.

Keep It Short

Three to four sentences. That’s it. You’re not writing an essay. You’re sending a note that says “I was listening, I’m thinking about what you said, and I’ve got something useful for you.” Then you’re done.

Important Context

The approaches we’ve outlined here are based on professional networking principles and real-world experience. Every relationship is different, and every industry has its own norms. What works at a tech conference might look different at a legal seminar. Pay attention to the context where you met, the person’s communication style, and what feels natural for your industry. Use these guidelines as a starting point, then adapt them to fit the specific relationship and situation.

Real Examples (Not Templates)

Templates feel hollow. Real examples show you what actual follow-ups look like. These aren’t perfect — they’re just authentic.

Example 1: After a One-on-One Coffee

“Hey Sarah, really appreciated our conversation about scaling content teams. That point you made about hiring writers first before editors — hadn’t thought about it that way. I’m going to bring that perspective to our planning next month. Sending you that article on distributed content ops we talked about — it might be useful for your current situation.”

Why it works: It’s specific, it references something concrete she said, and it gives value (the article) without asking for anything in return.

Example 2: After a Panel or Group Event

“Caught your comment on the panel about financial modeling in early-stage companies — the way you broke down the CAC issue was really clear. I’ve got a small team doing similar work and your framework actually applies well. Worth a quick 20-minute call in a few weeks? Would love to pick your brain on how you handle forecasting with incomplete data.”

Why it works: You’re acknowledging them publicly, you’re relating it to your own situation (not making it about you), and you’re suggesting something specific instead of vague.

Two professionals reviewing documents together at a table during a follow-up meeting, natural office lighting

What Actually Kills the Follow-Up

Some follow-ups fail before they even get read. Here’s what to avoid:

Being Too Formal

“I wanted to reach out and express my appreciation for the opportunity to connect with you.” Nobody talks like this. You sound like a bot. Just be yourself.

Being Too Casual

There’s a difference between conversational and sloppy. Proofread. Use proper punctuation. Show respect through the basics.

Making It About You Immediately

“I’d love to connect because I’m looking for…” Stop. They don’t care what you’re looking for yet. Care about them first.

Asking Too Much Too Soon

Don’t ask for an introduction to their CEO or a job interview in the first follow-up. Build the relationship. Small things first.

Generic Compliments

“Great insights!” tells them nothing. They’ve heard it a hundred times. Be specific about what actually resonated.

The Follow-Up Text Blast

Sending the same message to everyone from the event. People know. It feels impersonal and it is.

The Follow-Up is the Real Networking

The event itself is easy. You show up, you chat, you collect business cards. The real work — and the real opportunity — is what happens afterward.

A great follow-up says something important: “I value this connection enough to be thoughtful about it.” That’s what separates the people who build real networks from the people who just have a folder of business cards.

You’ve already done the hard part by showing up and having the conversation. The follow-up is your chance to turn that moment into something that actually lasts. Make it count.

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