Begin with the conversation you actually had.
A useful follow-up gives the other person enough context to remember you. Mention where you met and one detail you discussed. Then explain why you are getting in touch.
Keep the message focused. Sending a long brochure when you promised a single link creates extra work for the recipient and can make the original conversation feel forgotten.
Deliver before asking for more.
If you promised something, send that first. It might be an article, a contact’s website or the answer to a question. Explain in a sentence why it may be useful, and be clear if it is simply a suggestion rather than something you have personally tried.
For an introduction, check that both people are comfortable being connected before sharing their contact details. Explain the reason for the introduction so each person can decide whether to continue.
Make the invitation easy to understand.
When you want a follow-up meeting, give it a purpose and a sensible scope. “Could we spend twenty minutes comparing how we handle customer enquiries?” is easier to consider than an open-ended request to explore opportunities.
Offer a practical option and leave room for a different time or a polite decline. A first conversation does not create an obligation to buy, meet again or refer business.
Keep a simple record and use judgement.
Record what you promised, when you sent it and whether there is an agreed next step. A small, current list is more useful than a large collection of contacts with no context.
If a message goes unanswered, one brief reminder may be enough. Let the relationship develop at a pace that suits both people. Return to the conversation when you have a real reason to reconnect, rather than sending repeated messages just to stay visible.