3 Networking Workflows That Build Real Trust (Without the Hustle)

Three business owners in my mastermind group asked me the same question last week; about their networking workflows:

“How do you stay in touch with people after a networking event without sounding desperate or fake?”

One of them had come back from a conference with 40+ business cards and zero follow-ups. Another had a CRM full of “warm leads” they hadn’t spoken to in months. And the third had no system at all.

I knew exactly how they felt. I used to call it “the follow-up shame spiral.” You mean to reach out. But then it feels too late. And now it’s awkward. So you do… nothing.

Until you need a favor. Or a referral. Or a client. And by then, it’s too late.

If this is you, it’s not a discipline problem. It’s a system problem.

The good news? You don’t need to become a super-connector or spend hours a day on LinkedIn to stay top of mind.

You need Networking Workflows.

Let me show you three real workflows I use to turn connections into community.

The “Pocket Capture”

When to use it: Right after you meet someone IRL or on Zoom

Why it matters: Most connections die in the 24 hours after you meet. Don’t let yours die in your pocket.

Here’s what works:

The No-Tech Version:

• Take a photo of their business card with your phone camera
• Email it to yourself with 2-3 sentences about context
• Set a calendar reminder for one week out to follow up

The Nimble Version:

• Scan their business card using the Nimble mobile app (takes 3 seconds)
• Add a voice note or quick comment: “met at She Podcasts, she does YouTube SEO, her podcast is hilarious”
• Assign them to a workflow stage (ex: Warm — 8 Week Rotation)

The Zoho One Version:

• Add contact directly in Zoho CRM mobile app
• Use the “Notes” field to capture context and conversation details
• Tag them with categories like “Referral Partner” or “Podcast Guest”
• Set a follow-up task for 7 days automatically

This tiny habit has saved me from hundreds of awkward “hey, remember me?” emails.

The “Signal Scanner”

When to use it: 5-10 minutes each morning

Why it matters: LinkedIn is noisy. The right workflow helps you focus on the right people.

Here’s what works:

The Manual Version:

• Create a private LinkedIn list of your top 50 contacts
• Check their recent posts each morning
• Comment thoughtfully on 3-5 posts

The LeadDelta Version:

• Tag your top contacts (Clients, Referral Partners, Prospects)
• Create a custom engagement feed
• Scan your private feed daily for signals: job changes, announcements, etc.

The Zoho One Version:

• Use Zoho Social to create custom lists of key LinkedIn connections
• Set up monitoring for specific contacts
• Get notifications when they post or share content
• Track engagement directly from your Zoho dashboard

Your Networking Workflows Starter Pack

Here’s everything you need to get started:

Budget-Friendly Option:

• Google Calendar (free) — for 8-week rotation reminders
• LinkedIn native lists (free) — for manual signal scanning
• Phone camera (free) — for capturing business cards

Single-Tool Option:

• Nimble CRM ($25/month, 14-day free trial) — handles contact capture, social signals, and timeline reminders all in one place

All-in-One Option:

• Zoho One ($45/month for all apps) — includes CRM, social monitoring, email, and automation workflows
• Best for businesses already using multiple tools

Specialized Add-On:

• LeadDelta — for a clean, distraction-free LinkedIn experience (pairs well with any CRM)

Frequently Asked Questions

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Source: http://diymarketers.com/networking-workflows/