Most follow-ups fail for a simple reason: they are not actionable.
They sound friendly, but they do not give the other person an easy next step.
If you want more replies (and more coffee chats that actually happen), do not write a longer message.
Write a smaller one.
The 3-line follow-up (copy/paste this)
Hey [Name] — great meeting you at [place].
I keep thinking about [specific thing they said / project].
Want to grab coffee or do a quick 20-min call next week? Tue 4:30 or Thu 8:30am work on my end.
That is it. Three lines. One clear ask. Two time options.
Why this works (the real reason)
People do not ignore you because they do not like you.
They ignore you because your message creates a tiny planning problem:
- What are we doing?
- How long will it take?
- When should we do it?
The 3-line follow-up answers all three — in a way that feels normal and low-stakes.
Line-by-line (so you can adapt it)
Line 1: remind them who you are
Do not over-explain. A simple anchor is enough:
- "Great meeting you at [event]"
- "Enjoyed chatting after [talk]"
- "Thanks again for the intro"
Line 2: add one specific detail
This is the difference between "networking" and a real conversation.
Pick one detail:
- their product / project
- a goal they mentioned
- a problem they are wrestling with
- something you genuinely respected
If you cannot think of a detail, do not fake one. Use the simple version:
I enjoyed our conversation and wanted to follow up.
Line 3: make the ask easy to say yes to
Specific beats "sometime." Always.
Make it:
- short: 15–20 minutes
- concrete: coffee / walk / call
- scheduled: two time options
Two options removes back-and-forth without sounding pushy.
Two variations (use the one that fits)
Variation A: you have value to share
Hey [Name] — great meeting you at [place].
You mentioned [thing]. This article / tool might be useful: [link].
Want to grab coffee or do a quick 20-min call next week? Tue 4:30 or Thu 8:30am work on my end.
Variation B: you do not (yet) — and that is fine
Hey [Name] — great meeting you at [place].
I would love to hear more about [project / role / topic].
Open to a quick coffee/call next week? Tue 4:30 or Thu 8:30am work on my end.
Curiosity is a perfectly valid reason to connect.
One follow-up rule (so you do not overdo it)
If they do not reply, send one nudge 3–5 days later:
Quick nudge — still down to grab a coffee / do a quick call? No worries if timing is wild right now.
Then stop. One follow-up is helpful. Five follow-ups is a different vibe.
How Thawe fits
Thawe is built to make it easier to find the right people locally, start real conversations, and actually turn "we should connect" into meetups that happen.
Because networking is not magic. It is follow-through.
Sources
- Harvard Business Review on relationship building and follow-through: hbr.org