Opening (5 minutes)

• Welcome and Introductions: Warmly welcome everyone to the workshop and express appreciation for their participation. Briefly introduce the topic of the art of follow-up and highlight its importance in building lasting professional connections.
• Icebreaker: Ask participants to share a recent networking event they attended and the follow-up actions they took (or wished they had taken).

Roundtable Discussion 1: The Importance of Follow-Up (20 minutes)

• Facilitator: Begin by asking participants: "Why is following up with professional contacts important?" Encourage everyone to share their thoughts and experiences.
• Group Discussion: Facilitate a discussion on the following:
  • Strengthening relationships
  • Building trust and rapport
  • Demonstrating genuine interest and professionalism
  • Creating opportunities for collaboration and support

Roundtable Discussion 2: Overcoming Follow-Up Challenges (20 minutes)

• Facilitator: Ask participants: "What are some common challenges you face when following up with professional contacts?" Encourage participants to share their experiences and challenges.
• Group Discussion: Guide a discussion on overcoming challenges:
  • Procrastination and fear of rejection
  • Lack of inspiration or ideas for follow-up
  • Timing and frequency concerns

Roundtable Discussion 3: Crafting Compelling Follow-Ups (20 minutes)

• Facilitator: Ask participants: "What are some strategies for crafting effective follow-up messages that leave a positive impression?" Encourage participants to share their experiences and best practices.
• Group Discussion: Facilitate a discussion on the following:
  • Tailoring messages to individual contacts and situations
  • Expressing gratitude and reconnecting with the conversation
  • Offering value or providing helpful information
  • Setting clear expectations for next steps

Roundtable Discussion 4: The Art of Follow-Up in Action (20 minutes)

• Facilitator: Encourage participants to share examples of follow-up messages they've received or sent.
• Group Feedback: Facilitating a constructive feedback session where participants can offer suggestions and feedback on each other's follow-up messages.
• Prompts: Provide prompts to guide feedback:
  • "What are the strengths of this follow-up message?"
  • "What are some areas for improvement?"
  • "How could the message be tailored to a specific individual or situation?"

Closing (5 minutes)

• Key Takeaways: Summarize the key insights and best practices discussed, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful and strategic follow-up.
• Call to Action: Encourage participants to identify one specific networking connection they want to follow up with and craft a compelling message based on the insights gained.