Real-world examples of follow-up email after a networking event

Short, friendly examples of follow-up email after a networking event

Let’s start with the kind of follow-up you’ll send most often: short, friendly notes to people you met briefly. These are the best examples to use when you don’t want to overthink it—you just want to say “Nice to meet you” and keep the door open.

Here’s a simple example of follow-up email you can send within 24–48 hours:

Subject: Great meeting you at [Event Name]

Hi [First Name],

It was great meeting you at [Event Name] yesterday. I enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic you discussed] and your perspective on [short detail you remember].

I’d love to stay in touch and keep learning about how you’re approaching [their field/topic]. If you’re open to it, I’d be happy to connect here and on LinkedIn as well.

Wishing you a smooth rest of the week,

[Your Name]

[Your Role / Company]

[Your LinkedIn URL]

Why this works: it’s specific, short, and doesn’t ask for anything heavy. Many of the best examples of follow-up email after a networking event do exactly this: they remind the person who you are, reference a shared moment, and set up an easy way to stay connected.

Examples of follow-up email after a networking event when you want a meeting

Sometimes you meet someone and immediately think, “I want a real conversation with this person.” In that case, you can still keep things light, but you’ll want to clearly ask for a short call or coffee.

Here’s an example of follow-up email that asks for a meeting without sounding pushy:

Subject: Following up from [Event Name]

Hi [First Name],

I really enjoyed meeting you at [Event Name] on [day]. Our chat about [specific topic] got me thinking more about [brief takeaway].

If you’re open to it, I’d love to buy you coffee or hop on a 20-minute video call to hear more about how you’re approaching [their area of expertise / project]. I’m especially interested in [one concrete thing you’d like to learn].

Would any time next week work for you? I’m flexible on [two or three time windows].

Either way, it was great connecting and I’m glad we met.

Best,

[Your Name]

[Your Role / Company]

[Your LinkedIn URL]

Notice how this example of follow-up email gives a clear ask (20 minutes), offers flexibility, and still makes it easy for them to say no without awkwardness.

Best examples of follow-up email after a networking event with a speaker or panelist

Following up with a speaker, panelist, or workshop leader can feel intimidating. The trick is to be specific and respectful of their time. Here are two real examples of follow-up email after a networking event that you can adapt.

Example 1: You briefly introduced yourself after their talk

Subject: Your talk at [Event Name]

Hi [First Name],

I really appreciated your talk on [topic] at [Event Name] yesterday. Your point about [specific insight] especially stuck with me—I’ve already started thinking about how to apply it to [your context].

I know you’re busy, so I’ll keep this short. If you ever share your slides or resources publicly, I’d love to review them. In the meantime, I’ll be following your work on [LinkedIn / Twitter / your newsletter].

Thanks again for such a thoughtful session.

Best,

[Your Name]

[Your Role / Company]

Example 2: You want advice, but don’t want to overstep

Subject: Quick follow-up from [Event Name]

Hi [First Name],

Thank you again for your session on [topic] at [Event Name]. I’m early in my career in [your field], and your story about [specific anecdote] really resonated.

If you’re open to it, I’d be grateful for any advice on one quick question: [1–2 sentence question]. No rush at all—totally understand if your schedule doesn’t allow.

Either way, I appreciate the insight you shared at the event.

Warmly,

[Your Name]

[Your Role / Company]

These are some of the best examples of follow-up email after a networking event with speakers because they respect boundaries, avoid long life stories, and make a focused, reasonable ask.

Examples of follow-up email after a networking event with a recruiter or hiring manager

Networking events often include recruiters or hiring managers, especially at career fairs or industry conferences. The tone here should be professional, confident, and clear about your interest.

Example: You spoke with a recruiter at a career event

Subject: Great speaking with you at [Career Fair / Event Name]

Hi [First Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me at [Event Name] on [day]. I enjoyed learning more about [Company Name] and the opportunities on the [team/department] team.

Our conversation about [specific role or program] reinforced my interest in contributing my experience in [your relevant skills: data analysis, project management, etc.]. I’ve submitted my application for the [exact job title] role and wanted to share my resume here as well.

If you need any additional information, I’m happy to provide it. I appreciate your time and consideration.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Your Phone]

[Your LinkedIn URL]

This example of follow-up email keeps it focused on the opportunity, confirms you applied, and reminds them who you are. If you want to align your message with modern job-search advice, sites like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or university career centers (for example, Harvard’s Office of Career Services) often emphasize tailored, concise communication.

Warm, relationship-building examples of follow-up email after a networking event

Not every follow-up needs to have an immediate goal. Sometimes you’re simply planting seeds for future collaboration or mentorship. These examples of examples of follow-up email after a networking event are more about relationship-building than asking for anything.

Example: You see long-term potential, but no specific ask yet

Subject: Enjoyed our conversation at [Event Name]

Hi [First Name],

I really enjoyed meeting you at [Event Name] and talking about [topic]. Your experience transitioning from [their previous field/role] to [current role] was especially interesting to me.

I’m at an earlier stage in my own career, exploring similar directions, and your story gave me a lot to think about. I’d love to keep in touch and learn how your work at [Company] continues to evolve.

If you ever see an article, podcast, or event related to [shared interest], I’d be glad to swap recommendations.

Thanks again for the thoughtful conversation,

[Your Name]

This kind of example of follow-up email is subtle networking: you’re signaling shared interests and leaving the door open for future exchanges.

Examples include polite follow-up when someone hasn’t responded

You followed up once, and… nothing. It happens to everyone. A polite nudge can revive the conversation without sounding annoyed or desperate. These are some of the best examples of follow-up email after a networking event for those “just checking in” moments.

Example: Gentle reminder a week or two later

Subject: Quick follow-up

Hi [First Name],

I hope your week is going well. I wanted to quickly follow up on my note from last week about [context: our chat at Event Name / potential coffee chat].

Totally understand if things are busy on your end—no pressure at all. If a short call or coffee still sounds helpful, I’d be glad to find a time that works for you. Otherwise, I’m happy to stay connected here and cheer on your work from afar.

Thanks again for the conversation at [Event Name],

[Your Name]

This example of follow-up email acknowledges their busy schedule, restates your interest, and gives them an easy out. That tone tends to land better than a blunt “Just following up on my last email.”

More targeted examples of follow-up email after a networking event in 2024–2025

Networking norms have shifted a bit since the pandemic. Hybrid events, virtual conferences, and LinkedIn-first relationships are now standard. The best examples of follow-up email after a networking event in 2024–2025 usually:

• Mention where you connected (Zoom chat, breakout room, Slack channel, in-person table)
• Offer flexibility (video call, phone, or in-person coffee)
• Respect boundaries and time zones, especially for international contacts

Example: You met someone in a virtual breakout room

Subject: Nice meeting you in the [Event Name] breakout

Hi [First Name],

It was great meeting you in the [topic] breakout room during [Event Name]. I appreciated your comments about [specific insight they shared] and how your team at [Company] is handling [challenge or trend].

If you’re open to it, I’d love to continue the conversation for 15–20 minutes sometime in the next couple of weeks. I’m especially interested in how you’re approaching [specific area]. I’m happy to connect via Zoom or whatever platform you prefer.

In any case, I’m glad we crossed paths and I’ll send a connection request on LinkedIn as well.

Best,

[Your Name]

This fits current norms: short, respectful, and flexible. For more on how remote and hybrid work have changed professional communication, resources from organizations like SHRM.org or APA.org often discuss modern workplace communication trends.

How to customize these real examples so they sound like you

You’ve now seen several real examples of follow-up email after a networking event: quick hellos, meeting requests, speaker thank-yous, recruiter follow-ups, and gentle reminders. The next step is making them sound like you, not like a template.

Three simple tweaks help:

Use one specific detail from your conversation
Instead of “I enjoyed our chat,” try “I enjoyed our chat about your move from nonprofit work to product management.” That small detail instantly makes your message feel personal.

Match their level of formality
If they were casual and joked around, “Hi [First Name]” and a friendly tone fit. If they were more formal or senior, “Hello [First Name]” and slightly more polished language may be better. Many university writing centers, like Purdue OWL, offer guidance on professional email tone that can help you calibrate.

End with a light, clear next step
Instead of “Let me know,” try “If a short call sounds helpful, I’d be glad to find a time that works for you” or “If you ever host another session on this topic, I’d love to attend.” The best examples of follow-up email after a networking event don’t leave the reader guessing what you want.

As you adapt these examples of examples of follow-up email after a networking event, remember: the goal isn’t to impress with big words. It’s to sound like a thoughtful, organized person who respects other people’s time and wants to build genuine connections.

FAQ about follow-up emails after networking events

How soon should I send a follow-up email after a networking event?
Within 24–48 hours is ideal, while the conversation is still fresh in both your minds. If it was a multi-day conference, sending your email the day after the event ends usually works well.

How long should my follow-up email be?
Most examples of follow-up email after a networking event are 100–200 words. That’s long enough to remind them who you are, reference your conversation, and suggest a next step, without turning it into an essay.

Do you have an example of a subject line that gets opened?
Yes. Real examples that work well include: “Great meeting you at [Event Name],” “Following up from [Event Name],” or “Enjoyed our chat about [topic].” Simple, specific subject lines tend to perform better than vague ones.

Is it okay to follow up more than once?
Yes, once. If you don’t hear back after your first message, sending one polite follow-up a week or two later is reasonable. After that, it’s usually best to let it go and maybe stay lightly connected through LinkedIn instead.

What are some examples of mistakes to avoid in follow-up emails?
Common missteps include sending a long, dense email, asking for a big favor right away (like a job referral from someone you just met), or sounding demanding in your follow-up. Keeping your message short, specific, and respectful usually avoids these problems.

Use these real examples of follow-up email after a networking event as a starting point, then adjust them so they match your voice, your goals, and the kind of relationships you want to build.