How do you follow up with the person who invited you after declining a business invitation?

1 Express gratitude

The first thing you should do after declining a business invitation is to express your gratitude for the opportunity. Thank the person who invited you for their interest, consideration, and generosity. Acknowledge their effort and time in organizing the event or meeting. You can also mention something positive or specific about the invitation, such as the topic, the venue, or the speaker.

2 Explain your reason

The next thing you should do after declining a business invitation is to explain your reason for saying no. Be honest, polite, and concise. Avoid giving vague or vague excuses that might sound insincere or disrespectful. Instead, provide a clear and valid reason that shows your respect for the person who invited you and their event or meeting. For example, you can say that you have a prior engagement, a work deadline, or a family obligation that prevents you from attending.

3 Express regret

The third thing you should do after declining a business invitation is to express your regret for missing the event or meeting. Show your appreciation and enthusiasm for the invitation, and convey your disappointment and apology for not being able to join. You can also express your hope or interest in attending a future event or meeting, if appropriate. For example, you can say that you would have loved to learn more about the topic, to network with the attendees, or to meet the speaker.

4 Offer an alternative

The fourth thing you should do after declining a business invitation is to offer an alternative way of staying in touch or collaborating with the person who invited you. Depending on the nature and purpose of the invitation, you can suggest a different time, date, or mode of communication for a follow-up conversation. You can also propose a way of contributing to the event or meeting, such as sending a presentation, a report, or a feedback. For example, you can say that you would like to schedule a call, a video chat, or a coffee meeting to discuss the topic further, to share your insights, or to explore opportunities.

5 Confirm your decision

The fifth thing you should do after declining a business invitation is to confirm your decision and close the message. Reiterate your gratitude, your reason, and your regret for declining the invitation. Also, reaffirm your alternative offer and express your interest in hearing from the person who invited you. End the message with a courteous and friendly sign-off, such as "Best regards", "Sincerely", or "Warmly". For example, you can say that you appreciate their understanding, that you look forward to speaking with them soon, or that you wish them all the best.

6 Follow up as promised

The sixth and final thing you should do after declining a business invitation is to follow up as promised. If you offered an alternative way of staying in touch or collaborating with the person who invited you, make sure to follow through on your offer. Contact them within a reasonable time frame, and be respectful of their schedule and availability. Show your interest and engagement in the topic, the event, or the meeting that you missed. Also, express your gratitude again for their invitation and their response. For example, you can say that you enjoyed talking with them, that you learned a lot from their presentation, or that you appreciate their feedback.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?