Networking & Career / Following Up After Events / Lesson 03

LESSON 03 · FOLLOWING UP AFTER EVENTS

Sort Your New Contacts

Eighteen easy tips to sort your new contacts, so you know who to follow up with first.

Sort, then act. Not all contacts are equal.

25 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan

Start with tip 1

Jump to the 7-day plan

25 tips that really help

These ideas come from Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi), The Fine Art of the Follow-Up (Steve Gillman), Networking Like a Pro (Ivan Misner), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

TIP 1

Why sort contacts

After an event you may have many names. Sorting helps you spend energy where it matters most.

TRY THIS
Sort now.

TIP 2

Write everyone you met

Make a simple list of names. Seeing it all helps you decide.

TRY THIS
List them.

TIP 3

Mark the top three

Choose the three with the strongest link, the best chat or clear goals. Start there.

TRY THIS
Pick three.

TIP 4

Mark warm contacts

These are people who were friendly and might help later. Send a short hello.

TRY THIS
Mark them.

TIP 5

Mark later contacts

Some chats were pleasant but not urgent. Connect online and keep them in view.

TRY THIS
Mark them.

TIP 6

Group by topic or goal

Group people by jobs, interests or projects. It helps you see patterns.

TRY THIS
Group them.

TIP 7

Plan a message for each group

Top contacts get personal notes. Others can get a quick connect request.

TRY THIS
Plan messages.

TIP 8

Set follow-up dates

Write the date for each message in your calendar. Dates make plans real.

TRY THIS
Set dates.

TIP 9

Script: top contact

Hi Maya, I loved our chat and would like to continue it over coffee. Say it warmly.

TRY THIS
Use it.

TIP 10

Script: warm contact

Hi Alex, it was nice to meet you at the meetup. Let us stay in touch. Say it kindly.

TRY THIS
Use it.

TIP 11

Script: later contact

Hi Sam, nice to meet you, connecting here to stay in touch. Say it lightly.

TRY THIS
Use it.

TIP 12

Mistake: treating everyone the same

A generic note feels cold, so adjust.

TRY THIS
Personalise.

TIP 13

Mistake: ignoring people who seem less useful

Everyone has value, so be kind to all.

TRY THIS
Be kind.

TIP 14

Mistake: keeping contacts in many places

Scattered lists get lost, so use one list.

TRY THIS
Use one.

TIP 15

Troubleshoot: when you cannot decide who matters

Ask who you enjoyed talking with most. Joy is a good guide.

TRY THIS
Follow joy.

TIP 16

Troubleshoot: when you have too many names

Pick five and let the rest wait. Quality over quantity.

TRY THIS
Pick five.

TIP 17

Drill: sort ten contacts

Sort ten contacts into top, warm and later today.

TRY THIS
Do ten.

TIP 18

Drill: make a simple sheet

Create a simple sheet with name, group and next date.

TRY THIS
Create it.

TIP 19

Use simple labels like A, B and C

A is a close chance, B is a warm chance, C is for later. Easy to use.

TRY THIS
Label them.

TIP 20

Colour code your list

Colours let you see priorities at a glance.

TRY THIS
Add colours.

TIP 21

Example: the three-pile method

Lena made three piles on her desk. She finished the top pile in one hour.

TRY THIS
Make three piles.

TIP 22

Example: the spreadsheet

Omar used a single sheet with five columns. It never got lost.

TRY THIS
Make a sheet.

TIP 23

Troubleshoot: when the list is too long

Archive anyone you did not truly talk to. Keep it real.

TRY THIS
Prune it.

TIP 24

Drill: sort your last ten contacts

Sort them into A, B and C in ten minutes.

TRY THIS
Sort now.

TIP 25

Use a quick two-minute sort after each event

Two minutes of sorting at the end of the night means your contacts are never lost in a messy pile of cards.

TRY THIS
Sort tonight.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many networking and career moments.

SORT

“Let me sort my contacts.”

TOP

“These are my top three.”

WARM

“These are warm contacts.”

LATER

“These can wait.”

PLAN

“I will message on Friday.”

CLOSE

“Contacts organised.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
List everyone

DAY 2
Mark the top three

DAY 3
Mark warm contacts

DAY 4
Mark later contacts

DAY 5
Plan messages

DAY 6
Set dates

DAY 7
Review weekly

Further reading

• Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi)
• The Fine Art of the Follow-Up (Steve Gillman)
• Networking Like a Pro (Ivan Misner)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

← All Following Up After Events lessons

Next lesson: Write a Short, Warm Message →

These lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.