What are the best practices for following up with an alumni or a mentor after a cold email?

1 Be respectful and grateful

The first thing you should do after sending a cold email is to thank them for their time and attention. Acknowledge that they are busy and that you appreciate their response. Express your interest in their work and your goals, and show that you've done some research on them. Be polite and professional, and avoid using slang or emojis.

2 Be specific and clear

The second thing you should do is to be specific and clear about what you want from them. Do you want to schedule a phone call, a video chat, or a meeting? Do you want to ask them some questions, get some feedback, or request a referral? Do you want to follow up on something they mentioned, share some updates, or send some samples of your work? Whatever it is, make it easy for them to understand and respond. Use bullet points, numbers, or dates to organize your message, and include a clear call to action.

3 Be timely and consistent

The third thing you should do is to be timely and consistent with your follow-up. Don't wait too long to follow up after sending a cold email, or you might lose their interest or attention. Ideally, you should follow up within a week, or sooner if they reply quickly. Don't follow up too often, or you might come across as desperate or annoying. Once a week or every two weeks is a reasonable frequency, depending on the situation. Don't give up too soon, or you might miss out on a valuable opportunity. Follow up until you get a definitive answer, or until you reach a natural conclusion.

4 Be flexible and adaptable

The fourth thing you should do is to be flexible and adaptable to their preferences and availability. Don't assume that they will be able to accommodate your schedule, your format, or your expectations. Ask them what works best for them, and offer some alternatives if they are not available. Be willing to adjust your plans, your tone, or your approach based on their feedback. Be open to learning from them, and to changing your perspective or strategy if needed.

5 Be valuable and memorable

The fifth thing you should do is to be valuable and memorable to them. Don't just ask for favors, but offer something in return. Share some insights, resources, or connections that might be useful to them. Show some results, achievements, or progress that might impress them. Demonstrate some skills, qualities, or values that might resonate with them. Be authentic, enthusiastic, and respectful, and show that you are someone worth keeping in touch with.

6 Be courteous and graceful

The sixth thing you should do is to be courteous and graceful in your follow-up. Don't take their response or lack thereof personally, and don't get angry or frustrated if they don't reply or reject your request. Respect their decision, and thank them for their consideration. Don't burn any bridges, and don't spam them with more emails. Keep the door open for future contact, and let them know that you are grateful for their support and guidance.

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?