How can you follow up persistently and respectfully?

1 Set a goal

Before you reach out to anyone, you need to have a clear goal in mind. What do you want to achieve from the follow-up? Do you want to ask for advice, feedback, referrals, or opportunities? Do you want to offer something of value, such as a resource, a recommendation, or a testimonial? Having a goal will help you craft a relevant and personalized message that shows your genuine interest and respect for the other person.

2 Choose a method

Depending on your goal, your relationship, and your preference, you can choose different methods of follow-up. Some of the most common ones are email, phone call, text message, social media, or handwritten note. Each method has its pros and cons, so you need to consider factors such as urgency, convenience, formality, and personalization. For example, email is more formal and professional than text message, but text message is more immediate and casual than email. Social media is more interactive and engaging than handwritten note, but handwritten note is more thoughtful and memorable than social media.

4 Add value

One of the most important aspects of follow-up is to add value to the other person. You don't want to be just another name in their inbox or phone, you want to be someone who can help them, inspire them, or make them smile. You can add value by sharing useful information, resources, or insights that are relevant to their goals, challenges, or interests. You can also add value by expressing appreciation, gratitude, or recognition for their work, achievements, or contributions. You can also add value by offering your assistance, support, or collaboration on something they are working on or need help with.

5 Be polite

Last but not least, you need to be polite and respectful in your follow-up. You don't want to come across as rude, demanding, or entitled. You want to show that you respect their time, privacy, and boundaries. You can be polite by using courteous and professional language, avoiding spamming or nagging, and acknowledging their preferences and feedback. You can also be polite by asking for permission, giving them options, and thanking them for their attention and response. You can also be polite by keeping your messages concise, clear, and relevant, and by following up on your promises and commitments.

6 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?