How to Follow Up After a First Meeting & Actually Get Results
We’ve all been there. You have a great first meeting—there’s interest, enthusiasm, and you’re convinced you’ve made an impact. Then… nothing. Silence. No response. Suddenly, what seemed like a promising opportunity feels like it’s slipping away.
But here’s the thing—the follow-up is just as important as the meeting itself. Get it wrong, and you risk being forgotten or, worse, annoying your potential client. Get it right, and you build momentum, establish credibility, and increase your chances of converting interest into business.
So, let’s cut through the noise and talk about how to follow up properly—no generic emails, no pushy sales tactics, just straight-talking, effective follow-ups.
1. Don’t Just ‘Tick the Box’—Make It Personal
We’ve all received those template follow-ups:
"Great to meet you today! Let me know if you have any questions."
That’s not a follow-up—it’s a lazy sign-off. If you want a response, make sure your message reflects the actual conversation you had. Show that you listened.
?? Good Example: "Hi [Name], I really enjoyed our conversation about [specific challenge or goal they mentioned]. I’ve attached some details on [solution you discussed], which might be useful based on what you were looking for. Happy to jump on a quick call if you’d like to go through anything!"
This personal touch makes all the difference. It reminds them of the conversation and shows you were paying attention.
2. Get the Timing Right – Follow Up, Don’t Pester
There’s a fine line between being proactive and being a nuisance. If someone says they’ll review things and get back to you next week, don’t email them tomorrow chasing a response.
Best practice:
? First follow-up: Within 24 hours of the meeting—while everything is still fresh.
? Second follow-up (if needed): A polite nudge one week later if there’s been no response.
? Final check-in: If you still hear nothing, a two-week follow-up asking if they’d prefer to pick up the conversation later.
Being persistent is fine. Being pushy is not.
3. Send the Right Information (Not Everything You’ve Ever Created)
Sending over every brochure, PDF, case study, and price list immediately after a meeting isn’t helpful—it’s overwhelming. Instead, think about:
? What did they ask for? – Send only the information relevant to their needs.
? What might help them move forward? – If they seemed hesitant about something, include a relevant testimonial or example.
? What’s the next step? – Make it easy for them to progress, whether it’s booking another call, getting a proposal, or setting up a trial.
Keep it concise and valuable—no one wants to wade through unnecessary documents.
4. Keep It Professional – No Mass Emails, No CC Disasters
It still amazes me how often people CC everyone they’ve ever met into a follow-up email. Not only does this clutter inboxes, but it also exposes private email addresses—a serious professional faux pas.
Golden Rule: Always use BCC if emailing multiple people, or better yet, send individual messages tailored to each person. Personalisation beats bulk every time.
5. Offer the Next Step—Without the Hard Sell
A follow-up should move the conversation forward, not pressure the client into a decision. Instead of closing with “Let me know if you have any questions,” guide them towards the next step:
? “Would you like to book a follow-up call to go through options?”
? “I’d love to show you how this works in practice—shall we set up a short demo?”
? “If you’re keen to proceed, I can get a proposal over by Friday—let me know if that works for you.”
People are busy. Make it easy for them to say yes.
The Bottom Line
A well-executed follow-up isn’t just about sending an email—it’s about continuing the conversation in a way that adds value, keeps momentum, and increases your chances of getting a response.
? Make it personal.
? Follow up at the right time.
? Send only what’s necessary.
? Respect privacy—no CC disasters.
? Guide them towards the next step.
Do this, and your follow-ups will actually work, rather than just filling inbox space.
Need help refining your sales and follow-up process? Let’s chat.
Director of Product Management at Blackhawk Network
9 小时前Great post Adam, concise and to the point. Agree with your advice here!