How To Follow Up With Your Network [Free Contact-Outreach Google Sheet Template]

Networking is essential for success as a freelancer. There isn’t much magic to networking beyond asking questions, being yourself, and letting people know what you’re working on. The trouble is, the chances of the person you’re networking with needing to hire you at the exact moment in which you’re networking with them are slim. It’s far more likely that they’ll need what you offer in six or twelve months. 

So the key becomes following up with your network to remind them that you exist. If you’re top of mind for 50-100 people in hiring positions, then you’re bound to get work. 

Today, I’m going to show you the exact system I use to keep track of, and follow up with my network on a monthly basis. Want to skip the read? Just click the button here.

Step 1 - Create a List

The first step is to create a list of people you already know who could hire you. I’m a producer and a copywriter, so my list is comprised of agency owners, directors, marketers, and other producers. I was on a flight recently and I just went though my phone contacts for about one hour. I was able to compile a list of over 90 people. 

Step 2 - Categorize The List

This step isn’t essential, but it helps you find someone you’re looking for more easily. It also helps you realize where most of your connections lie, so you can double down on a specific service, or build out a new one if needed. 

Step 3 - Write Some Templates

Some days you’ll feel confident reaching out. Some days you won’t. How you feel shouldn’t determine whether or not you follow up with your network. Templates help you reach out even if you don’t feel confident. 

I don’t like asking for work directly, because it puts my connections in a weird spot if they have to say no. Instead, I simply ask how they’re doing and what they’ve been working on recently. most of the time, they’ll ask me what I’ve been up to, which is a great opportunity to share the work I’ve been doing, and the services I offer. Here’s a follow up template I’ve been using recently. Feel free to steal it.

Hey Jason, hope you’re doing well! What have you been working on recently?

Step 4 - Keep the Conversation Going

There’s nothing worse than an obviously canned message on LinkedIn that says “Congratulations on your new role!” You say thanks and then the conversation is dead. This isn’t effective, and it’s not what I recommend you do here. See this outreach template as a conversation starter–a way to keep yourself accountable for staying in touch with your network. 

Step 5 - Get my free Google Sheet template

Do you want to use the same Google Sheet template that I do to track my outreach? Click the button below. It’s a view-only sheet, so all you have to do to make it your own is click the top left corner to copy all the contents and then paste it into a blank Google Sheet of your own. 

Good luck!