It’s week #3 of the new decade, so how’s your follow-up been thus far? How’s the guilt list? You know, the incomplete promises of “I’ll get back to you on that” or “Let’s have coffee soon” or the thank you cards that you mean to send, but you never get around to it.

Remember, your fortune is in your follow-up. Your reputation is also in your follow-up.

The reality is that we all need a system to help us execute our follow-up. We need help to make acting on our intentions easy and fun (why shouldn’t it be?) When it comes to networking and building a robust professional network filled with people who know you and care about you and want to help you, YOU must take the initiative to follow-up regularly. If you think about someone today, send them a card. Why not do it now?

My secret weapon for staying in regular touch with the people in my network

Three years ago, I signed up for a on-line system called SendOutCards. I was introduced to it by D’vorah Lansky, a true marketing wizard, who has since become a good friend and business ally. I met D’vorah through Chris Amorosino, the incredibly talented copywriter who issues a terrific enewsletter called The 30-Second Writing Clinic. Ironically, how I discovered SendoutCards is in itself a networking success story. People helping people – that’s what networking is all about.

How do I use SendOutCards to “stay in shape” with my follow-up?

Quite simply, I send a heart-felt card EVERY DAY to someone that I think about. I do this first thing in the morning, before I jump on to email and get consumed. Sending out a heart-felt card daily makes me feel GOOD. Why? There is something magical about spreading APPRECIATION in this world. Practicing appreciation on a daily basis is not only good for business, it’s good for your health and well-being!

Prioritize your professional relationships and commit to staying in regular touch

We all have the best of intentions of staying in touch with the people in our lives, but somehow things get in the way. We get disorganized and “lazy” with our outreach, communication and follow-up. If you believe in the power of relationships and want to remain visible and valuable to the people in your personal and professional network, then I encourage you to find a system that allows you to stay in touch more easily. Your investment in follow-up, is an investment in your relationships, not to mention your results and reputation.

Get motivated and take action to ensure your follow-up system works for you and the people that you care about!