The Recruitment Agency Expo this year was amazing as usual; if you missed it, don’t miss Birmingham in October and make sure you add London on March 17th to the calendar. It’s going to be extra special on St. Patrick’s Day! Due to our wonderful C’s absence, we didn’t get the chance to catch up with as many of our clients and recruitment industry friends as we would have liked to and connect with both new and established agencies keen to ramp up their marketing and branding efforts. However, we are hoping you did, as the energy was SUPER high, and it was great to see so many familiar faces in the recruitment world alongside some fresh new talent… Here are a few tips to maximise your efforts…

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how to network at big events, so if you missed that, pop back and take a peek! Networking events, conferences, and industry meetups can be goldmines for new opportunities. But too often, people collect business cards, send a quick LinkedIn request, and then let those connections disappear. You need a strategic follow-up plan to maximise the value of the contacts you’ve gathered. Here’s how to turn those introductions into meaningful professional relationships.

Organise & Prioritise Your Contacts

After the event, don’t just toss business cards in a drawer or let new connections sit idle in your inbox. Take time to:
• Digitise Contacts: Use a CRM tool, spreadsheet, or apps like CamCard to store their details.
• Add Notes: Jot down key takeaways from your conversation… what you discussed, their interests and how you can help each other.
• Categorise: Sort them into groups such as potential clients, partners, mentors or general industry contacts.

Follow Up Quickly & Personally

Strike while the iron is hot! Send a personalised message within 48 hours of the event.
• Remind Them Who You Are: Reference your conversation to jog their memory.
• Express Appreciation: A simple “It was great meeting you at [event]” can go a long way.
• Offer Value: Share an article, insight or introduction relevant to their interests.
• Suggest a Next Step: If appropriate, propose a coffee chat, Zoom call or collaboration.
Example:
“Hi [Name], I enjoyed our conversation about [topic] at [event]. I found this article on [relevant subject] and thought you might find it interesting. Let’s catch up soon—would you be open to a quick call next week?”

Connect on Multiple Platforms

Expand the relationship beyond just email.
• LinkedIn: Send a connection request with a brief note.
• Twitter/X & Instagram: Follow them if they are active there.
• Industry-Specific Groups: Engage with them in relevant online forums or Slack communities.

Keep the Relationship Alive

Networking isn’t just about the first follow-up—it’s about staying on their radar.
• Check In Periodically: Send a message every few months to share updates or ask how they’re doing.
• Comment & Engage: Like and comment on their LinkedIn posts.
• Share Invitations: If you see an event or opportunity relevant to them, extend an invite.

Offer Help Before Asking for Favors

Giving before you take is one of the best ways to build strong connections.
• Introduce them to someone who could be valuable to them.
• Share job leads or industry insights.
• Offer your expertise if it aligns with their needs.

Track and Evaluate Your Efforts

Networking is only effective if you follow through.
• Keep a spreadsheet or CRM record of your outreach efforts.
• Track who responds and what actions come from each connection.
• Adjust your approach based on what works best.

Final Thoughts

Networking doesn’t end when the event ends, in fact, it’s just the beginning. You can turn casual introductions into long-term professional relationships by following up strategically, offering value and maintaining regular engagement.

How do you stay in touch with your event contacts? Share your best tips in the comments!

Just in case you missed it, download our ultimate social media guide for recruiters.

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