A coffee chat can be genuinely great, and still go nowhere.
Not because you did anything wrong, but because most people end the meeting with some version of: “Let’s keep in touch.” And then… nothing.
If you want networking to actually create outcomes (introductions, opportunities, collaborations, hires, clients), you need a follow-up system that is simple, human, and repeatable.
Here is the playbook we like: three messages, spaced out over two weeks, that keep the momentum alive without being annoying.
Before the messages: write down 3 things right after the chat
While it’s fresh, capture:
- One specific takeaway you learned from them
- One concrete next step you can offer (resource, intro, quick idea)
- One “thread” to pull next time (a project, goal, or challenge they mentioned)
This takes 60 seconds and turns your follow-up from generic to memorable.
Message 1 (same day): the thank-you + the anchor
Goal: make the conversation feel real, and anchor it to something specific.
Hey [Name] — thanks again for the chat today. I keep thinking about what you said about [specific takeaway].
If it’s helpful, here’s [resource / link / idea] related to [their goal]. No rush on anything — just wanted to share.
Why it works: you are not asking for anything yet. You are proving you listened and you follow through.
Message 2 (3–5 days later): the small ask
Goal: turn “nice conversation” into a clear next step.
Quick one — you mentioned you’re working toward [goal].
Would it be useful if I introduced you to [Person] (they’re doing [relevant thing])? If yes, send me the best email and one sentence on what you’d like to talk about, and I’ll make the intro.
If you don’t have an intro, use a different small ask:
- “Would you be open to a 15 minute call next week?”
- “Can I send you a one page summary of [idea] for feedback?”
- “If you had to pick one person in [city/industry] I should meet next, who would it be?”
Keep it lightweight. The goal is motion, not a big commitment.
Message 3 (10–14 days later): the loop-closer
Goal: stay on their radar without the “just checking in” vibe.
Hey [Name] — looping back with a quick win. Since we talked I [did the thing you said / attended the event / tried the approach] and it helped because [result].
How’s [their project] going? If you’re up for it, I’d love to catch up again in the next couple weeks.
People like hearing they had impact. This message makes the relationship feel two-way and ongoing.
What not to do (common follow-up mistakes)
- Don’t send a novel. Keep it short. Respect their attention.
- Don’t be vague. “Let’s connect sometime” is a networking graveyard.
- Don’t ask for a favor immediately. Lead with value first.
- Don’t disappear. The most reliable follow-up is the rarest one.
How Thawe fits
The whole point of Thawe is to make networking feel human again: local discovery, real conversations, and a clean path from message to meetup.
But the secret is: the app is not the network. Your follow-through is.
If you want better outcomes, do not add more conversations. Add a better follow-up system.
Sources
- Harvard Business Review on relationship-building and follow-through behaviors: hbr.org