How To Follow Up After a Networking Event

The Austin Space and Queens Connection hosted a Business Card Exchange Mixer on March 9, 2017.

This past Thursday, we hosted a Business Card Exchange Mixer with Queens Connection at our coworking space. It was a huge success - we met people from various industries and professions. We are excited to bring networking opportunities to Forest Hills, Queens. We plan to host more events like these for individuals to connect with others. Stay tuned!

Here are five tips on how you can stay connected after a networking event:

1. See if you can introduce two people who can help each other.

   • Your connections are more likely to assist you once you help them out by building their network.

2. Suggest a quick chat over coffee or a quick 15-minute conversation over the phone.

   • Sometimes, you may need another conversation to connect. Don't be afraid to reconnect.

3. Connect with a LinkedIn invite.

   • LinkedIn is a great way to organize your professional network. Send an invite to stay connected and to keep updated on each other's professional pursuits.

4. Send a related article via email. 

   • Send an article you think that your connection may be interested in. This shows that you were actual paying attention and care to add value.

5. Google the person. 

   • It is hard to get to know someone over a 5 minute conversation at a networking event. Google the other person to learn more about the other person's interests and past experiences.

Local Resources for Entrepreneurs and Freelancers in Queens

Here at The Austin Space (a coworking space in central Queens), we complied a list of local and general resources for Queens based entrepreneurs and freelancers.

Queens-Based Organizations:

1. Queens Connection: Queens Connection, is dedicated to helping small and medium sizes businesses thrive in our communities through local partnerships, events, activities and sponsorships. 

2. Queens Economic Development Corporation: QEDC's Business Services department assists entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their business by providing one-on-one consultations, business development workshops, training courses, and networking events.

3. Queens Tech Incubator: The Tech Incubator at Queens College seeks to provide tech companies with facilities, guidance, and access to the diverse and talented students, staff and faculty of the college to help them grow.

4. Coalition for Queens: Coalition for Queens (C4Q) increases economic opportunity through technology and transforms the world’s most diverse community into a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

5. Vita Center Inc: Vita Center's mission is to ignite the professional, entrepreneurial, dreams of women in all status, positions, and walks of life.

6. Queens Chamber of Commerce: Businesses gain access to educational classes, forums and workshops to support their growth. The Chamber holds various networking events designed for members to meet and build relationships with business people from small, mid-size and large companies from Queens and the surrounding area.

7. Queens Business Outreach Center (BOC): Business Outreach Center Network’s mission is to improve the economic prospects of traditionally underserved groups, with a focus on low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and their communities, and thereby create genuinely brighter futures.

Any other local organizations that we are missing? Comment below and we will add it to the list.