For the love of God, would you please just F-Up?!
F-Up soon, F-Up today, F-Up to earn respect, credibility, and business!
What? No, no. I’m not asking you to, you know, F-up, like that… I’m asking you to Follow Up.
In the past 2 weeks, I’ve had hour long mentor sessions with 3 new hires and spoke on a panel to a group of 30 trainees. During that time, I give tips, tricks, and specific tools to help these “newbs” get ahead Fresh on the Job. Would you believe? Not 1 F-Up. Dear Lord, they are in trouble.
Following Up is important for a few reasons. First, when a person volunteers their time with you to meet and listen, that person deserves a Thank You. I mean, duh. Second, it shows you are an Action-taker. Waiting 2 days or more to write a follow-up? Think again. The sooner the better. This shows you mean business. Third, your hook-up now has your contact information. If an opportunity comes up, boom! They know exactly how to find you.
Toyota of Follow-Ups
Email. Send the Thank You the sooner the better. Thank them for their time and remember to include anything you promised during the meeting, i.e. your resume, certifications, a picture of your dog, whatever.
Mercedes Benz of Follow-Ups
Hand-written. Do you have any idea how much personalized stationary I own? I send Thank you’s and Follow-ups to everyone. Who doesn’t like opening a hand-written card? It’s so rare these days, make yourself stand out. Take it old school and write it out.
2 weeks back I met a man on a flight to Chicago and we got a chattin’. The conversation started by mutually making fun of another passenger and low and behold- we are in similar industries and could potentially do business together. This man gave me his card and I emailed him a F-Up asap. I have not heard back from this man but I promise you, I will. The minute he needs a solution for what I’m selling, I promise you I will get a call. I will come back to this post when I do and update you all.
Do NOT forget to F-up but F-up the Fresh way.
Could not agree more! Many people forget how little effort yet how meaningful a simple note (F-Up) can be.