{"id":110921,"date":"2025-03-19T16:59:19","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T00:59:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2025\/03\/19\/the-networking-chef-when-following-up-with-contacts-taste-as-you-go\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T16:59:19","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T00:59:19","slug":"the-networking-chef-when-following-up-with-contacts-taste-as-you-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2025\/03\/19\/the-networking-chef-when-following-up-with-contacts-taste-as-you-go\/","title":{"rendered":"The Networking Chef: When Following Up With Contacts, \u2018Taste As You Go\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"620\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/01\/GettyImages-1319470839-620x413.jpg?resize=620%2C413&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-85910\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em><span>Ed note:<\/span>\u00a0This is the sixth in a series. Read the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2025\/03\/the-networking-chef-small-gestures-matter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">previous installment here<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Just as a skilled chef tastes their creation throughout the cooking process and adjusts seasonings for the perfect balance, effective networking involves seeking feedback and making adjustments to your approach. Here\u2019s how you can \u201ctaste\u201d your networking efforts and fine-tune them:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ask for Feedback:<\/strong> After a follow-up meeting or interaction, consider asking for feedback. You might say: \u201cI really value your perspective and would appreciate any feedback you have on our discussion today. Is there anything you think I could do differently or any areas you suggest I should focus on?\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Reflect on Responses: <\/strong>Pay attention to their reactions and responses. If you notice a pattern in how people respond to certain topics or approaches, use this as an indicator of what works well and what might need tweaking.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Follow-Up Questions:<\/strong> If you sense any hesitation or lack of interest, don\u2019t be afraid to ask. A simple \u201cI hope my emails are helpful and not overwhelming. Please let me know if you prefer a different frequency or style of communication,\u201d shows that you\u2019re considerate of their preferences.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Adjust Communication Style: <\/strong>Everyone has different communication preferences. Some may prefer more detailed emails, while others might like quick check-ins. Try saying: \u201cI want to ensure our communication is effective and convenient for you. Do you prefer brief updates, or would you like more comprehensive information?\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Seek Clues in Conversation: <\/strong>In your interactions, look for clues about what interests them or areas they are passionate about. Adjusting your follow-up topics based on these insights can lead to more engaging and relevant conversations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>React to Non-Verbal Cues:<\/strong> In face-to-face meetings or video calls, pay attention to non-verbal cues. If they seem engaged when discussing certain topics, delve deeper into those areas. If they seem disinterested, it might be time to change the subject.<\/p>\n<p>Remember, just like cooking, networking is an art that requires continuous adjustment. By \u201ctasting\u201d your efforts and being open to changing your \u201crecipe\u201d based on feedback, you can create a more enjoyable and fruitful experience for both you and your contacts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tasting as You Go: Seeking Feedback and Adjusting<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2714\ufe0f Ask for feedback on your conversations and interactions.<br \/>\u2714\ufe0f Reflect on their responses and adjust your approach as needed.<br \/>\u2714\ufe0f Pay attention to non-verbal cues and communication preferences.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" height=\"150\" width=\"150\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/09\/IMG_6509-150x150.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Sejal Patel\" class=\"wp-image-1075132\" title=\"\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em><strong>Sejal Patel is a Rainmaking Consultant and the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sageivyconsulting.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Founder of Sage Ivy<\/a>, a New York-based consultancy dedicated to helping attorneys turn relationships into clients. With over 20 years of experience, Sejal strategically analyzes attorneys\u2019 networks to uncover revenue and relationship opportunities, crafting individualized approaches that align with their unique strengths and styles. Learn more at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sageivyconsulting.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">www.sageivyconsulting.com<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2025\/03\/the-networking-chef-when-following-up-with-contacts-taste-as-you-go\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Networking Chef: When Following Up With Contacts, \u2018Taste As You Go\u2019<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Above the Law<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"620\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/01\/GettyImages-1319470839-620x413.jpg?resize=620%2C413&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-85910\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Ed note:\u00a0This is the sixth in a series. Read the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2025\/03\/the-networking-chef-small-gestures-matter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">previous installment here<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Just as a skilled chef tastes their creation throughout the cooking process and adjusts seasonings for the perfect balance, effective networking involves seeking feedback and making adjustments to your approach. Here\u2019s how you can \u201ctaste\u201d your networking efforts and fine-tune them:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ask for Feedback:<\/strong> After a follow-up meeting or interaction, consider asking for feedback. You might say: \u201cI really value your perspective and would appreciate any feedback you have on our discussion today. Is there anything you think I could do differently or any areas you suggest I should focus on?\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Reflect on Responses: <\/strong>Pay attention to their reactions and responses. If you notice a pattern in how people respond to certain topics or approaches, use this as an indicator of what works well and what might need tweaking.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Follow-Up Questions:<\/strong> If you sense any hesitation or lack of interest, don\u2019t be afraid to ask. A simple \u201cI hope my emails are helpful and not overwhelming. Please let me know if you prefer a different frequency or style of communication,\u201d shows that you\u2019re considerate of their preferences.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Adjust Communication Style: <\/strong>Everyone has different communication preferences. Some may prefer more detailed emails, while others might like quick check-ins. Try saying: \u201cI want to ensure our communication is effective and convenient for you. Do you prefer brief updates, or would you like more comprehensive information?\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Seek Clues in Conversation: <\/strong>In your interactions, look for clues about what interests them or areas they are passionate about. Adjusting your follow-up topics based on these insights can lead to more engaging and relevant conversations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>React to Non-Verbal Cues:<\/strong> In face-to-face meetings or video calls, pay attention to non-verbal cues. If they seem engaged when discussing certain topics, delve deeper into those areas. If they seem disinterested, it might be time to change the subject.<\/p>\n<p>Remember, just like cooking, networking is an art that requires continuous adjustment. By \u201ctasting\u201d your efforts and being open to changing your \u201crecipe\u201d based on feedback, you can create a more enjoyable and fruitful experience for both you and your contacts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tasting as You Go: Seeking Feedback and Adjusting<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2714\ufe0f Ask for feedback on your conversations and interactions.<br \/>\u2714\ufe0f Reflect on their responses and adjust your approach as needed.<br \/>\u2714\ufe0f Pay attention to non-verbal cues and communication preferences.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" height=\"150\" width=\"150\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/09\/IMG_6509-150x150.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Sejal Patel\" class=\"wp-image-1075132\" title=\"\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em><strong>Sejal Patel is a Rainmaking Consultant and the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sageivyconsulting.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Founder of Sage Ivy<\/a>, a New York-based consultancy dedicated to helping attorneys turn relationships into clients. With over 20 years of experience, Sejal strategically analyzes attorneys\u2019 networks to uncover revenue and relationship opportunities, crafting individualized approaches that align with their unique strengths and styles. Learn more at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sageivyconsulting.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">www.sageivyconsulting.com<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Getty Images Ed note:\u00a0This is the sixth in a series. Read the\u00a0previous installment here. Just as a skilled chef tastes their creation throughout the cooking process and adjusts seasonings for the perfect balance, effective networking involves seeking feedback and making adjustments to your approach. Here\u2019s how you can \u201ctaste\u201d your networking efforts and fine-tune them: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":110922,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-110921","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above_the_law"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/xira.com\/p\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6509-150x150-YdLX6V.jpeg?fit=150%2C150&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110921","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=110921"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110921\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/110922"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=110921"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=110921"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=110921"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}