Maintaining Industry Contacts
Written By: Xiara Arroyo
The popular saying “it’s not what you know, but who you know” should be the driving point when growing your network. Knowing who is who is important to not only your personal growth but your growth as a business or brand. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to maintain your industry contacts.
Connect on Social Media & Engage
Be genuine in your interactions & be aware of the platform you are using. You wouldn’t engage in the same ways you do on Instagram as you would on LinkedIn. You don’t have to comment on every single thing they post, a simple “like” can go a long way. At the very least they recognize your name, but you never know who is in their network that might find you and like your work.
Send References
You might remember a small detail from a speech they gave about their favorite artist that happens to be having an exhibit. Send them the details for the exhibit. Or maybe they are the artist putting on the exhibit, share their work and tag them with a genuine compliment. It's a free promotion for them and a chance for them to remember you.
Set-up a 1 on 1
This would be for a contact you’ve already made a connection with. Have a goal in mind or a specific types of questions you would like answered. This would also be a great time to offer your talents, let them know you are open to helping on their next project. Because we are living amidst covid, these could be virtual sessions versus coffee shop meet ups, so be mindful of the world around you and be respectful of others' time and circumstances.
Stay Humble
Highlight your achievements and success, but don’t brag about it. It could be a major turn off to a really great opportunity and you wouldn’t want to be known as the person that brags. Be strategic with your social media presence as well when you’re at networking events. Allow your work to speak for itself. If the quality is good, people will notice. Stay consistent.
Keep a Spreadsheet
Keep your contacts organized. If you attend a networking event or virtual summit have a separate sheet for the names of speakers or panelists, as well their job title or company name. It will help you remember who’s who. Create an area for a brief note that will jot your memory. They may have said something that struck a chord or they wore a really awesome outfit. You could use this later on as a conversation starter.
Don’t Overwhelm Yourself
You do not have to reach out to every single person you came across at the function. And don’t be surprised if someone reaches out to you. Always be open to communication, you never know who is paying attention. If you do choose to reach out do so soon after the event so the memory is fresh in their minds.
You won’t remember everyone and everyone won’t remember you and that is okay. Make sure you are making meaningful connections. Know what your goals are and align yourself with those that can push you towards those goals or help you refine your skills. Always be open to learning and growing and remember to be ready to show love and support to those that will come after you, because one day you might be the big connection someone hopes to make. Happy networking!!