By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

Pro networking skills are required to work in Medical Affairs. Whether you are an Aspiring MSL, existing MSL or in another Medical Affairs function relationship building is critical! With time and practice you get past the feelings of dread and anxiety that networking can cause and it starts to feel more natural.

To help you become a better networker, check out the list of articles below and keep reading this one. I will discuss an often overlooked important networking tip that is amazing. It works across every stakeholder type and helps build a real relationship. It surprises me how few people do this because it leaves such a good impression! It's the follow-up. And I'm not talking about a simple "thanks for XYZ" message. Keep reading for a way to take your follow-up and networking to the next level!

Your Networking Reading List

• Easy Trick to Network And Build Meaningful Relationships
• Examples of How to Network
• One MSL Outreach Mistake That Immediately Scares Off New KOLs
• Avoid Resting Murder Face to Build Better Relationships

Overlooked Important Networking Tip - The Follow-Up

On average, I have 3-5 people that want to break into industry or are an MSL reach out to me per week. It's usually about getting a job, insights, or something else related to MSLing. That's 156 - 260 people per year. Only 5 people have recently followed up with me!

Networking follow-up tip #1: actually follow-up. That alone will help you stick out.

Not following up is a huge missed opportunity to build a relationship! A really simple way to follow up and continue to build the connection, whether it's networking with someone in Medical Affairs or with a KOL/HCP, is to reach out and say thanks.

Saying thanks is good but it's kind of generic. If you want to level this up, take it one step further by writing something specific about how they helped you. Here are some examples.

Olympic Gold-Medal Level Networking Follow-Up Examples

Here is a great example from an Aspiring MSL. This person's first outreach was highlighted in my article on examples of how to network. The two of us connected and I have been sharing resources that I thought he would find useful. Periodically he has been sending me update messages. Then last week he sent this:

He followed up to tell me that my content helped him crush his MSL interview. This is beautiful and I was bursting with pride after reading this.

Pro-tip: keep a log of how things you learned from people helped so you have a specific thing to follow up about!

Here's another example from a student in my MSL Insights Course:

Again, I was bursting with pride and so excited for her. She went out of her way to follow up and specifically highlight how I helped.

These examples show how to take the networking follow-up to the next level: don't just say thank you, also highlight how the other person helped you. It will make the other person feel connected to you and want to help you more in the future.

When it comes to building and nurturing relationships, it's these small details that make a difference. Like how offering help can be a great way to start building a relationship. 

Applying the Networking Follow-Up Tip as an MSL

This tip works also really well with KOLs/HCPs. When was the last time you sent a note thanking them for something they helped with you? Here are some situations where you could send a quick note:

• They introduce you to someone else (say thank you and include what that introduction led to)
• They provided an important insight (tell them how impactful their info was)
• They recommended a publication that you didn't know about (mention how that helped you in another situation)

Conclusions

Remember networking and relationship building is a process. It's more than just reaching out and meeting with someone once. Ongoing touchpoints are necessary to build a relationship. When you reach out to network with someone don't forget about following up. Make a plan for how you will follow up and set reminders.

What are some networking tips that have worked well for you? Reach out to me on LinkedIn and/or comment on the MSL Mastery LinkedIn page!

Need some additional networking help on your journey to become an MSL?

Check out the Aspire MSL program. You will find an incredible community of people to help support you and keep you motivated in your MSL job search.