So You Attended the Small Business Expo — Now What? Three Ways to Reconnect Without Being Creepy

If you’re like most small business owners, you probably walked out of the Small Business Expo with a tote full of business cards, a brain full of ideas, and a heart full of inspiration — maybe even from stopping by our AndWhich “Delegate Like a Boss Podcast Corner.”

But here’s the truth: networking only works if you follow up. And yet, most people never do.Why? Because nobody wants to be that person — the one who pops up in someone’s inbox sounding pushy, random, or worse... desperate.

The good news? There’s a way to reconnect with confidence and authenticity — and build relationships that actually turn into collaborations, referrals, and maybe even clients.

Here are three next steps to follow up without being creepy.

💌 1️⃣ Lead with Gratitude, Not Sales

Within a week of the event, send a short message to the people you genuinely connected with.Start with “thank you,” not “buy this.”

Example:

“It was great chatting with you at the Small Business Expo — I really enjoyed hearing about your work in [industry/topic]. I loved your energy and wanted to stay in touch.”

Keep it light and human. If you talked about something specific (like how overwhelmed they felt by their inbox or their next launch), reference it briefly.

Then end with an easy call to action:

“Let’s connect on LinkedIn — I’d love to follow your work!”

No hard sell. No calendar link. Just connection.

🎙️ 2️⃣ Use Content as Your Conversation Starter

Instead of pushing your business, share something that adds value.

If you met someone who said they’re overwhelmed by {name that problem], send them a link to a blog you wrote that explains how to handle that issue. Share customer references and examples so they can relate.

You’re not pitching — you’re helping.That small gesture shows you listened, and it positions you as someone who gives before asking.

🤝 3️⃣ Stay Present — But Don’t Hover

Following up once is enough. If you don’t hear back, move to gentle visibility mode.

That means:

• Connect on LinkedIn and comment on their next post.

• Engage naturally — share a quick “Congrats!” or “Love that idea.”

• When you post your own content (customer stories, real world examples, cool ideas), tag relevant people from the Expo if it feels appropriate.

The point is to stay top of mind without being in their face.Over time, they’ll remember you as the friendly professional who made a genuine impression — not another follow-up email they had to dodge.

💡 Pro Tip: Make the Follow-Up About “Us,” Not “Me.”

Instead of saying,

“I’d love to tell you more about my services,”say,“I think there may be some alignment between what you’re doing and how we help companies work smarter.”

That subtle shift keeps the tone collaborative, not salesy.

✨ Final Thought

Following up isn’t about chasing. It’s about continuing a conversation that started naturally.If you lead with curiosity, gratitude, and generosity, you’ll never come across as creepy — you’ll come across as memorable.

And if you’re one of the many small business owners who told us you’re ready to delegate and breathe again, now’s the perfect time to take that next step.

👉 Start small. Start now. Explore the Bronze Package — and let’s keep the Expo energy going all year long.