A post-event follow-up email is a crucial component of any business-to-business (B2B) marketing strategy. After an event—whether it’s a conference, trade show, webinar, seminar, or networking gathering—the real work begins. While the event may have been the initial touchpoint, it’s the follow-up that nurtures relationships, builds trust, and moves prospects along the sales funnel.
Creating a post-event follow-up email requires more than just a thank-you note. It should offer value, reinforce key messages, and guide recipients to take the next step, whether that’s scheduling a meeting, downloading resources, or making a purchase.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to create an effective post-event follow-up email for B2B, covering key principles, strategies, and a sample email to help you get started.
Why a Post-Event Follow-Up Email Matters for B2B
Before we dive into the steps of crafting a great email, let’s briefly look at why post-event follow-up is so important in the B2B context:
- Strengthening Relationships: B2B marketing thrives on relationships, and events provide an excellent opportunity to connect with prospects and clients. Following up ensures that the interaction doesn’t end when the event does.
- Increasing Conversion: While many people attend events with only a vague interest, a well-crafted follow-up email can convert that interest into a qualified lead, driving further engagement or even a sale.
- Offering Value: Post-event emails can serve as an opportunity to share additional content (e.g., presentations, whitepapers, case studies) that reinforces your brand’s value proposition.
- Building Credibility: A thoughtful follow-up email shows professionalism and reinforces your company’s credibility, making it easier to maintain top-of-mind awareness.
Key Principles for Crafting a Post-Event Follow-Up Email
To ensure your post-event email stands out and achieves its objectives, there are several key principles you should keep in mind:
1. Personalization
The more personalized your email, the more likely it will resonate with the recipient. Use their name, refer to specific conversations or topics discussed at the event, and tailor the message to their particular needs.
2. Timing
Timing is critical. Ideally, your follow-up email should be sent within 24-48 hours after the event. The longer you wait, the colder the lead becomes. You want to reach out while the event is still fresh in their mind.
3. Clear Objective
Your email should have a clear and specific call to action (CTA). Do you want the recipient to schedule a meeting? Download a whitepaper? Join a webinar? Whatever the goal, make sure your email has a single, clear objective.
4. Engaging Subject Line
Your subject line is the first impression you make on the recipient. It should be compelling and give the recipient a reason to open the email. Avoid generic phrases like “Thanks for attending” and instead focus on something more specific and enticing.
5. Value Proposition
Your follow-up email should remind recipients of the value you offer. Reinforce why attending the event was beneficial and how your product or service can solve their challenges or meet their needs.
6. Be Concise and Focused
No one likes long-winded emails. Keep your message concise and to the point. Focus on the most important information—whether it’s a key takeaway from the event, a special offer, or an important resource.
7. Include Additional Resources
If relevant, include links to additional resources, such as presentations, videos, blog posts, or case studies. This adds value and gives recipients more ways to engage with your brand.
Structuring Your Post-Event Follow-Up Email
The structure of your post-event follow-up email plays a vital role in ensuring your message is clear, professional, and effective. Below is a detailed breakdown of how to structure the email:
1. Subject Line
As mentioned, the subject line is critical. A good subject line should be:
- Short (under 50 characters)
- Specific
- Actionable
- Reflective of the recipient’s experience at the event
Examples:
- “Thanks for Attending [Event Name] – Here’s What’s Next”
- “Great to Meet You at [Event Name]! Let’s Continue the Conversation”
- “As Promised, Here’s Your [Event] Recap + Next Steps”
2. Greeting and Personalization
Start with a personalized greeting. Using the recipient’s name and referencing a specific interaction from the event can help establish rapport.
Example:
- “Hi [First Name], It was great meeting you at [Event Name] last week! I really enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic].”
3. Express Gratitude
It’s important to thank the recipient for attending the event, whether they were a speaker, exhibitor, or attendee. A genuine thank-you builds goodwill and shows appreciation.
Example:
- “Thank you for taking the time to attend [Event Name]. We truly value your interest in [specific topic or product] and enjoyed the opportunity to connect with you.”
4. Recap Key Takeaways
If your conversation involved specific challenges or pain points, refer back to them in your follow-up email. This shows you were listening and that you understand their needs.
Example:
- “During our chat, you mentioned that [specific challenge or need]. I thought you might be interested in learning how [your company’s solution] can help you address that challenge.”
5. Provide Value
Offer something of value that is relevant to the recipient’s interests. This could be:
- A link to your event presentation or slides
- A whitepaper or eBook
- A link to a relevant blog post or case study
- A free trial or demo of your product or service
Example:
- “As promised, I’ve attached the slides from my presentation on [topic], and I’ve also included a link to a case study on how we helped a company like yours achieve [specific outcome].”
6. Call to Action (CTA)
Your CTA should be clear, actionable, and easy to follow. Whether you want the recipient to book a meeting, download a resource, or explore your website, make the next step easy for them to take.
Example:
- “I’d love to schedule a quick 15-minute call to discuss how we can help you [achieve specific goal]. You can book a time that works for you here: [link to calendar].”
7. Closing and Contact Information
End with a polite and professional closing. Provide your contact information and invite the recipient to reach out with any questions.
Example:
- “Looking forward to continuing the conversation. If you have any questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to reach out. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Your Contact Information]”
Sample Post-Event Follow-Up Email
Here’s an example of a post-event follow-up email for a B2B context:
Subject: Thanks for Attending [Event Name] – Let’s Stay Connected!
Hi [First Name],
It was a pleasure meeting you at [Event Name] last week! I really enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic]. I hope you found the session on [specific session or topic] helpful.
As promised, I wanted to follow up and share some additional resources that might be valuable to you:
- [Link to your event slides or presentation] – A deeper dive into the topics we discussed.
- [Link to case study or whitepaper] – A real-world example of how [Your Company] helped [Similar Company] achieve [specific result].
Additionally, I’d love to schedule a quick 15-minute call to discuss how [Your Product/Service] can help you overcome [specific challenge or need]. You can book a time directly on my calendar here: [Link to calendar].
Thanks again for attending [Event Name], and I look forward to continuing our conversation.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Tips for Maximizing the Impact of Your Follow-Up Email
1. Use an Email Tracking Tool
To measure the effectiveness of your follow-up emails, use an email tracking tool. This will help you gauge open rates, click-through rates, and responses, allowing you to adjust your strategy accordingly.
2. Segment Your Follow-Up List
Not all event attendees are the same. Segment your list based on factors like engagement level, job title, or industry. Tailor your follow-up emails accordingly for more personalized outreach.
3. Follow Up Again
Sometimes a single follow-up email isn’t enough. If you don’t receive a response within a week or two, consider sending a polite reminder. Keep it brief and restate the value of continuing the conversation.
Conclusion
A well-crafted post-event follow-up email is an essential tool in building lasting relationships and driving business outcomes in the B2B space. By personalizing your message, offering value, and providing clear next steps, you’ll significantly increase the chances of turning a post-event connection into a successful business relationship.
The key is to be timely, thoughtful, and strategic in your outreach. With the right follow-up, you can build stronger relationships, demonstrate your expertise, and ultimately drive more conversions and sales.