In a previous post we covered the 3 Best Questions To Ask Your Audience After A Presentation. In this post we will cover the best question to ask your presenter after a presentation.
What Is The Best Way To Contact You?
Whatever information was shared during the presentation, no matter how helpful it was, nothing about the presentation itself has as much potential as building a relationship and networking with the presenter themselves. If they have not already provided a means of contact, ask! Email is great but connecting with them on social media has larger potential for interaction.
Why Social Media Over Email?
It can be awkward for some to initiate contact via email with someone they don’t know well. With social media however, conversations are expected. There is nothing odd about mentioning another user on Twitter or retweeting their tweet. This is the norm with Twitter and other social networks and because of this it is much easier to get a dialogue started.
It may take some time, depending on the person, before they start conversing with you. The least intrusive method is the request the connection (assuming they shared their preferred social network with you during the presentation question) and once connected send them a message thanking them for their presentation. Do not ask for anything at this point. Continue to interact with them online without over doing it. Just enough so they don’t forget you. Remember, networking is not about trying to get something from someone. It’s about helping each other when you can, and you are much more likely to get help after you have already helped them. Try and add value to the conversation with your actions – don’t simply state how much you love every post.
What To Do If You Only Have Their Email
Contact them the day after the presentation. Not right after and not next week. You want to remain fresh in the presenter’s mind when you reference the presentation in your email (be sure to thank them for an excellent presentation) but not too soon to seem needy. You also need to avoid asking for something, instead offer something they might enjoy related to the presentation. Share a resource or thought, don’t make them regret reading your email.
