Networking & Career / Following Up After Events / Lesson 08

LESSON 08 · FOLLOWING UP AFTER EVENTS

Connect on LinkedIn the Right Way

Eighteen easy tips to connect on LinkedIn the right way, so your requests feel warm and professional.

Add a kind note. Be real.

26 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan

Start with tip 1

Jump to the 7-day plan

26 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 LinkedIn matters

LinkedIn keeps contacts visible and organised. A warm request turns an event meeting into a lasting link.

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Connect.

TIP 2

Search by full name

Check the profile photo and job to be sure it is them. Avoid mistakes.

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Check it.

TIP 3

Add a personal note

A short note with the event and a detail gets more acceptance than a blank request.

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Add a note.

TIP 4

Keep the note under three lines

Short notes get read. Warmth is more important than length.

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Keep short.

TIP 5

Send within two days

Fresh memory helps acceptance. Do it soon after the event.

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Send soon.

TIP 6

Thank them when they accept

A thank you message begins the chat well. Keep it short.

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Say thanks.

TIP 7

Engage with their posts

Like and comment on their posts kindly. It keeps you visible.

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Engage.

TIP 8

Send a value message later

After a few weeks, share a helpful link. Giving first matters.

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Share value.

TIP 9

Script: request note

Hi Maya, we met at the design meetup last week, I enjoyed our chat about painting. Say it warmly.

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Use it.

TIP 10

Script: thank you

Thank you for connecting, Maya, it was lovely to meet you. Say it kindly.

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Use it.

TIP 11

Script: value

I came across an article on design tools that might help you. Say it simply.

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Use it.

TIP 12

Mistake: sending a blank request

Blank requests are easily ignored, so add a note.

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Add a note.

TIP 13

Mistake: pitching right after connecting

A pitch feels pushy, so build the link.

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Be patient.

TIP 14

Mistake: connecting with everyone

A huge list helps little, so connect with people you met.

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Be selective.

TIP 15

Troubleshoot: when they do not accept

Do not worry, as many ignore requests. Try other ways later.

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Let it go.

TIP 16

Troubleshoot: when you cannot find them

Ask the host or check the event page. Do not guess.

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Ask the host.

TIP 17

Drill: send three requests this week

Send three personalised requests to people you met recently.

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Send three.

TIP 18

Drill: write a request template

Write a short request template and edit the first line each time.

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Write it.

TIP 19

Add a note with the event name

Mention the event in your request. It gets accepted more often.

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Add the event.

TIP 20

Customise your profile link

Use a short custom link so it looks clean.

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Set a link.

TIP 21

Send requests in small batches

Spread requests over days. It looks natural.

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Spread them.

TIP 22

Follow their page first

A follow can come before a request. It feels gentle.

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Follow first.

TIP 23

Example: the thank-you after accept

Thanks for connecting, Maya. I enjoyed our talk about teaching. I will send that book title.

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Write one.

TIP 24

Example: the later nudge

Hi Alex, I saw your post on leadership and thought of our chat. How is the project?

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Write one.

TIP 25

Mistake: sending the same message to all

People can tell. Change the first line.

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Customise.

TIP 26

Troubleshoot: when someone has no profile

Ask the host for a way to reach them. Be polite.

TRY THIS
Ask the host.

Easy things to say

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

HELLO

“Hi Maya, I enjoyed meeting you.”

LINK

“We met at the meetup.”

REASON

“I would love to stay in touch.”

THANKS

“Thank you for connecting.”

SHARE

“I will share an article soon.”

CLOSE

“Warm wishes.”

Your first week

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

DAY 1
Find them

DAY 2
Check the profile

DAY 3
Write a note

DAY 4
Send the request

DAY 5
Say thanks

DAY 6
Message later

DAY 7
Engage

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.

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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.