Follow-up cadence

Follow-up cadence is the rhythm and content of the messages that come after an in-person conversation. It is the most underrated single factor in whether networking events compound. A great conversation with no follow-up converts at 0%. A mediocre conversation with disciplined follow-up converts at 20-40%.

The cadence that works:

1. Within 24 hours. One short email or LinkedIn message. References the specific thing you discussed. Proposes a concrete next step. 2-4 sentences max.
2. If no response in 5 business days. One polite nudge. References the original thread. Adds a small new piece of value (link, intro, update) so it's not just a bump.
3. If still no response. Leave it. Re-find them at the next event or via warm intro. Multiple unsolicited follow-ups burn social capital faster than they build it.

The two failure modes:

• Too slow. A follow-up sent 4 days later reads as obligation. By then the recipient remembers your face but not the conversation context. 24 hours is the sweet spot.
• Too generic. "Great meeting you" with no specific reference is 80% as bad as no follow-up. Specifics are what make the message survive a 200-message inbox.

The single best pre-event habit you can build is the pre-drafted follow-up template (covered in the Luma Networking Playbook). Draft it before the event so you only need to fill in specifics afterward. The 5-minute pre-event step removes the largest reason follow-ups don't happen: tiredness the day after.