What a good networking message should do
After a breakfast meetup or BNI session, recipients get dozens of similar notes. What separates useful follow-up from polite spam isn’t length—it’s proof you remember the conversation and a low-friction next step (15 minutes, not “let’s rebuild your strategy”).
It doesn’t need to be long: recall context, add value, propose a simple next step.
The 5-line structure
- Where you met
- What you discussed
- One useful thing (resource/idea)
- One next step (15-minute call)
- Optionality (“if it makes sense”)
Template 1 — Email
Subject: Following up after [event]
Hi [First name], great meeting you at [event]. We discussed [context].
Here’s [resource/idea] that might help: [link].
If it makes sense, are you open to a quick 15-minute call this week?
Best,
[Signature]
Template 2 — LinkedIn
Hi [First name], great meeting you at [event]. Open to a quick 15-minute chat this week to continue on [context]?
Template 3 — “Useful, not salesy”
Hi [First name], sharing a short takeaway about [topic] after [event] (2 min read): [link]. Happy to exchange if helpful.
What to avoid
- Product pitch in message #1—it kills trust.
- Wall of text—beyond ~10–12 lines, you ask too much reading effort.
- Generic AI fluff with no event anchor.