What do you do if your contacts in the strategy industry are not responding to your follow-ups?

1 Reassess Content

If your contacts in the strategy industry aren't responding, take a moment to reassess the content of your follow-ups. Ensure your messages are clear, concise, and relevant to the recipient's interests or business needs. It's possible that your previous communications didn't resonate or were too generic. Tailor your approach by demonstrating genuine interest in their work and by suggesting how your collaboration could be mutually beneficial. Personalization can make a significant difference in eliciting a response.

2 Timing Matters

Timing is a critical aspect of successful follow-ups. If you're not receiving responses, consider whether you might be reaching out at inopportune times. For instance, contacting someone during a busy season in their industry or immediately after sending an initial message can lead to your follow-up being overlooked. It's advisable to wait a week or two before following up. Also, be mindful of holidays and weekends when professionals are less likely to check their work communications.

4 Alternative Channels

If emails and phone calls are not yielding replies, consider using alternative communication channels. LinkedIn, for example, is widely used in the professional world and can be an effective platform for engaging with strategy industry contacts. Direct messages on social media platforms can sometimes feel more personal and less formal than emails, which might prompt a quicker response. However, always maintain professionalism and respect the preferred communication boundaries of your contacts.

5 Reflect and Improve

A lack of response can also be an opportunity for self-reflection and improvement. Consider whether your approach aligns with the expectations and norms of the strategy industry. Perhaps your follow-up method is too aggressive or not aggressive enough. Seek feedback from peers or mentors on how you could enhance your communication strategy. Continuous learning and adapting are key in building successful professional relationships.

6 Offer Value

Finally, focus on offering value in your follow-ups. Strategy professionals are more likely to respond when they see a clear benefit or interesting insight in your communication. Share relevant articles, introduce them to potential clients, or offer solutions to industry-specific challenges they might be facing. By positioning yourself as a resource rather than just another contact seeking something, you increase the chances of receiving a response.

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?