Following up with a potential client after not hearing back from them is crucial to the success of closing a deal. According to research, sending a follow-up email can increase your response rate by eleven percentage points. This means that following up can be the deciding factor between a yes or a no. Don't underestimate the power of a follow-up, as it can ultimately result in losing a potential sale.
It's important to give your prospect some time to respond before reaching out again. Sending a follow-up too soon can make you appear desperate, while waiting too long can give the impression that the deal is not a priority. Aim to send a follow-up email within three days of your initial outreach. Avoid sending a "breakup email" and instead, leave the conversation open for a future opportunity to reconnect.
When crafting your follow-up email, keep these important principles in mind. Firstly, refrain from sending a follow-up too quickly as it can make you seem overly eager. Next, ensure that your email includes a clear call-to-action. This can be a request for another meeting, a demo, or simply asking for their feedback on a proposal. Remember to keep the email concise and to the point.
If your prospect doesn't respond to your initial email, don't assume that they are not interested. There could be various reasons for their lack of response. Instead of giving up, use these tips to improve your chances of reconnecting with them.
Don't be afraid to change your subject line, opening greeting, and call-to-action with each follow-up email. You never know what will catch your prospect's attention and prompt a response. Avoid limiting yourself to one email thread, as it can quickly become cluttered and overwhelming for the prospect.
Avoid using misleading subject lines or greetings, as this can come off as dishonest and harm your credibility. Also, make sure to remind the prospect of your previous contact in your email. This can be a simple reminder of your previous outreach or a brief explanation of why you are following up again.
Remember, not all prospects intentionally ignore your emails. It's important to approach your follow-ups with a friendly and positive attitude, rather than an accusatory one. By following these tips, you can improve your chances of getting a response and potentially closing a deal with those "missing" prospects.
For salespeople, the challenge is creating a follow-up email that not only captures the prospect's attention but also moves the deal forward. It's important to avoid being passive-aggressive in your opening, as salespeople must have a thick skin to succeed. Lines like "I've tried to reach you a few times now" or "I know you're busy, I'm busy too" can do more harm than good, potentially alienating and offending your prospect. Keep your tone positive and assume positive intent. Instead of guilting your prospect into responding, try using phrases like "Just wanted to bump this email to the top of your inbox" or "Wanted to touch base on this" to gently nudge them in the right direction.
When crafting a follow-up email, keep the body short and to the point. Your prospect has already received your first email, so stick to 2-3 paragraphs at most. Remember, your second email should complement the first, not overwhelm your prospect with more information. The body of your follow-up email should offer additional value to the prospect, clarify how they will benefit by continuing to engage with you, and make it irresistible to answer your call-to-action. And speaking of a call-to-action, be sure to include a clear one at the end of your email. Your prospect should not be left unsure of what action to take. State your request clearly and you increase your chances of a response.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your first follow-up email may not receive a response. In this case, you may need to send a second follow-up email. Keep in mind the importance of timing and always send a fresh message.
Sending a follow-up email after not receiving a response can be a tricky task. However, with a few simple tips, you can create a follow-up email that is both effective and respectful.
After sending your initial email, it's important to give the recipient some time to respond before sending a follow-up. Three days is a good rule of thumb before reaching out again. Also, make sure your follow-up call-to-action is different from your first email to avoid appearing repetitive.
If you still don't receive a response after the second follow-up, it may be time to adjust your close. Each subsequent email should have an easier call-to-action, making it harder for the prospect to ignore you. For example, instead of requesting a meeting, your second follow-up could ask for a referral.
If you still don't get a response after the third follow-up, it's best to take a break and reach out again in a few months. Avoid sending a breakup email, as it can come across as pushy and unprofessional. Instead, try sending a friendly message mentioning a common interest or recent news in their industry. This approach shows genuine interest in your prospect's needs while also reminding them of the benefits your product or service can offer.
To make your follow-up email writing process easier, here are 30 free templates for various situations, such as following up with colleagues, sales prospects, recruiters, and networking connections. These templates can be used for different purposes and are great for building strong relationships.
If you've tried all the steps outlined in this article and still haven't received a response, it's best to stop sending follow-up emails and wait for a few months before reaching out again. Taking a break can help refresh the prospect's memory and give them time to reconsider your offer. Persistence is important, but it's also crucial to know when to stop and try again later.
At the end of the day, prospects are people too. Don't be afraid to ask personal questions or start a non-work related conversation. It shows your human side and can make you more relatable. Just be sure to bring the conversation back to business eventually.
When writing a follow-up email, keep these tips in mind to increase your chances of a response:
If your initial email was not clear or did not provide enough context, consider offering more information in your follow-up. This will remind the recipient of the importance of your original email and may prompt them to respond.
Give the recipient a reason to respond by offering something of value, such as a free trial or relevant content. However, be sure to think about the value from their perspective to avoid appearing spammy.
Consider the perspective of your recipient and show empathy in your email. It can help build connections and encourage a response.
If your email does not have a clear deadline or time-sensitive offer, it may not prompt a quick response. Adding a sense of urgency can help encourage them to take action.
Social proof, such as customer testimonials or case studies, can make it easier for prospects to see the value of your product or service. Additionally, the stories and tone of social proof can open the door to new conversations.
Remember, persistence is key in sales, but it's also important to know when to step back and try again later. With these tips and templates, you can craft effective follow-up emails that will help you close more deals and build strong relationships with prospects. Best of luck in your follow-ups!
In the fast-paced world of sales, it can be challenging to grab and maintain a potential customer's attention. This is why follow-up emails play a crucial role in moving potential leads down the sales funnel.
Instead of beating around the bush, be direct and ask for what you want. Remind the recipient of your previous communication and clearly state the action you want them to take. This approach is often more effective than using tentative language.
In today's information-driven world, customers want to work with experts. Use links, content, or relevant stories in your follow-up emails to demonstrate your industry knowledge and credibility. This can help build trust and establish you as an authority in your field.
Before sending a follow-up email, take the time to research your recipient. Check out their LinkedIn profile or other platforms to gain insights into their needs and interests. This will help you tailor your email with valuable information that resonates with them.
A well-crafted call-to-action can help encourage the recipient to respond to your email. Consider offering options and alternatives if the suggested time does not work for both parties. This will show your willingness to work around their schedule.
Remember, your prospects are busy, and their time is valuable. Take a moment to genuinely thank them for their time and consideration. This small gesture can go a long way in building a positive relationship with potential customers.
Hello [prospect name],
I hope this email finds you well. It was a pleasure speaking with you about [their business pain point] last week. Based on our previous discussion, I believe that [your company name] can provide the perfect solution for [insert benefit]. I would love the opportunity to discuss my ideas with you further in a 15-minute call this Thursday. You can book a time on my calendar through this link: [insert calendar link].
Thank you for considering [your company name] as a solution to your needs.
Best regards,
[Your name and signature]
Not every situation will apply to this specific email. Here are some additional examples:
Resource List for [prospect's business]:
Hello [prospect name],
I hope everything is going well with your business. I wanted to follow up on the [articles, resources, links] I shared with you last week. Have you had a chance to review them? I believe they could be of great value to [prospect's business needs].
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best,
[Your name]
Following up after a demo:
Hello [prospect name],
I hope you are having a great week. I wanted to check in to see if you had an opportunity to discuss our demo with [higher-up]. I am excited about the potential of working with [prospect's business] and would love to move forward with [product or service]. Please let me know if this is something you are still interested in.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your name]
If the suggested time is not convenient, consider offering alternatives to schedule a call with you and your manager.
If now is not the right time to connect, stay in touch by submitting a form [link] to be the first to receive updates on our product. This will provide more value to the customer and increase the chances of a response.
Suggest other options for a call to keep the conversation going.
If the customer needs more time to make a decision, offer an extension for a trial period.
Based on the customer's business challenge, suggest a specific product or feature that can be beneficial to them.
Remember to always be professional and courteous in your follow-up emails. Your goal is to build a positive relationship with potential customers, and this begins with effective follow-up strategies.
As a salesperson, it is important for me to hear about your experience with our product. Would you be available for a 15-minute call on Wednesday afternoon to discuss it further?
Tip: Continuing the conversation and checking in with the customer is crucial for a successful deal.
We all want to receive responses to our emails, but we also don't want to bombard you with follow-ups. To strike a balance, here are some effective tactics to improve response rates during your follow-up process.
