Why Your Follow-Up Emails Aren’t Working, and How to Fix Them

Here’s the truth: Most follow-ups don’t fail because they’re unwelcome; they fail because they’re poorly executed. If you’re tired of ghosting, here’s how to turn those follow-ups into conversations:

1. Add Value, Not Pressure

Instead of “Just following up on my last email…” try giving them a reason to respond. Share something, they didn’t expect:

• An industry insight.
• A resource you’ve created that directly relates to their challenges.
• A quick-win idea they can implement immediately.

?? Example: "Hi [Name], I know you’re busy, so I wanted to share this article on [topic] that aligns with [their business challenge]. It’s a quick read and could spark ideas for your [team/project]. Let me know if this resonates with you!"

2. Change the Channel

If email isn’t working, switch it up:

• Engage with their LinkedIn posts. Leave meaningful comments to show genuine interest.
• Send a personalized voice note or LinkedIn message that feels human and not automated.
• Reference their latest blog post, podcast appearance, or press feature in your outreach.

?? Why it works: Sometimes people miss emails, but they’ll notice an authentic interaction on a platform they’re actively using.

3. Space It Out

Here’s the follow-up cadence mistake I always see: You’re following up too soon. Bombarding someone’s inbox every 2 days doesn’t build trust—it builds irritation.

Ideal follow-up timing:

• 3–5 days after your initial email.
• Then, 5–7 days for your second follow-up.
• A final “break-up” email 7–10 days later.

?? Pro Tip: In your final email, politely acknowledge that they might not be interested right now but leave the door open for future conversations.

4. Keep It Short

No one wants to read a novel when they’re busy. Each follow-up should:

• Be under 4 sentences.
• Reinforce value.
• Include a non-pushy CTA (e.g., “Does this align with what you’re working on right now?”).

?? Avoid this mistake: Don’t ask for 30 minutes of their time in a follow-up. Ask for something smaller, like a quick response or their thoughts on an idea you’ve shared.

5. Be Human, Always

We’ve all seen those robotic follow-ups:?"I'm just circling back to see if you’ve had a chance to review my email. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!"

Instead, bring some personality. Reference something relevant or even add a little humor to lighten the tone.

?? Example: "Hi [Name], I hope this email didn’t slip between the cracks—like my AirPods keep doing! If now’s not the right time, no worries, but I’d love to reconnect when it is. Let me know!"

TL;DR: Stop Being “That Person” in Follow-Ups

The goal of your follow-ups isn’t to pester, it’s to build trust. When you: ? Add value. ? Space your touchpoints. ? Personalize your approach. ? And act like a real human…

You’ll turn silence into responses and crickets into conversations. ??

What’s the best follow-up email you’ve ever sent, or received?

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