5 Ways to Follow Up and Follow Through for Your network

This past fall, Lawyers Who Launch was pleased to present “Your Three Biggest Networking Mistakes” to the members of the National Association of Legal Placement Association (NALP).

We were pleased to hear that our talk resonated with the attendees as well as the law students they serve.  One of the biggest networking mistakes that law students and lawyers are making is failing to follow up with their networking contacts.  Networking is about building mutually beneficial relationships.  We’ve previously discussed why you should build relationships naturally and not transactionally over on our blog and our podcast. To help grow those relationships naturally, we have put together five simple but meaningful ways you can follow up and follow through for your network. 

Provide an Update

If you discussed an idea or a problem with a contact, send them an email with an update.  Did you take their advice?  What was the result? Did you reach out to an organization that they suggested? Provide a brief update and thank your contact for their wisdom. 

Thank you so much for recommending that CLE course on Civil Law Case Updates.  The speakers were great and the information was on point for a case I’m currently working on. 

Forward an Opportunity 

If you see an opportunity for a speaking engagement that would be a good fit for someone in your network, forward it to your contact and make a recommendation to the organization. 

The local bar association is looking for speakers to discuss starting a career in medical malpractice defense work.  Since you’ve been practicing in this area for the last decade, I thought of you immediately.  Can I recommend you to the program coordinator? 

Make a Recommendation

If you come across a helpful tool, software program or even an interesting article, send it to someone in your network that you think could benefit from it.  Let them know you were thinking of them and how this solution could assist them. 

Last time we spoke, you mentioned that your firm was having trouble with your billing software and looking for an alternative.  My firm recently switched over to a new program that all of our staff is finding to be more user friendly.  Here is a link if you may be interested.  

Send a Client Referral

When you have an opportunity to make a client referral, make one and let the person know.  

Amy, you should hear from Robert Jones sometime this week.  He is in need of estate planning guidance and I recommended that he reach out to schedule an appointment with you. 

Facilitate an Introduction

Make an introduction to someone in your network that may be a great connection for someone else. 

Haley, I’d like to introduce you to Brooke.  Brooke also does a lot of work in the medical malpractice area and I think you would be great resources for one another.  

Following up and following through for your network allows you to grow your networking relationships naturally. 

How can you follow through for your network today?

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Please keep in mind that your jurisdiction will have rules of professional conduct that you must follow. This discussion does not focus on the any such rules, including the rules from the jurisdiction where we practice. Rather this is a discussion of tips we have found helpful in managing client expectations in our own experiences. This should not be taken as legal advice.

We make absolutely no guarantee, expressed or implied, that by following the advice you will make any money or improve current profit, as there are several factors and variables that come into play regarding any given business or career. Primarily, results will depend on the business model, the conditions of the marketplace, the experience of the individual, and situations and elements that are beyond your control. As with any business endeavor, you assume all risk related to investment and money based on your own discretion and at your own potential expense.

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