No means no in sales — or at the very least it means “not right now.” Continuing to pursue a prospect who’s just rejected your offer is both a waste of time and rude, and no salesperson with any experience (or integrity) will tell you otherwise.
No response, on the other hand, can mean a million different things in my experience — including the ubiquitous “this email got buried to page two of a crowded inbox.” Replying to your email might have even been a priority for the recipient, but if it wasn’t the priority, it just won’t happen. That’s why I recommend you always, always, always send a follow-up.
In this post, I’ll show you how to make the most of your outreach by crafting a good follow-up email. (Hint: .)
Table of Contents
- How to Write a Follow-Up Email After No Response
- Sending a Second Follow-Up Email After No Response
- Why send a follow-up email after no response?
- Tips for Sending a Follow-up Email After No Response
- Follow-Up Email After No Response: Mistakes to Avoid
- Follow-Up Email Example
- Follow-Up Email Templates
- Fortune Favors the Follow-Up
Why send a follow-up email after no response?
It’s simple: Following up is critical because it significantly increases your chances of getting a response.
On average, salespeople who send at least one follow-up email after no response receive compared to just 16% for those who give up on the first try.
Follow-up emails also have a higher reply rate in general. The first follow-up email has a in reply rate in comparison to the first email. For instance, if your average reply rate for your first email is 10%, your follow-up email will have an average reply rate of 14%.
If the cost of not following up doesn't seem dramatic, it will nonetheless cause you to miss out on major opportunities over time.
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30 Free Follow-Up Email Templates
Follow up with colleagues, sales prospects, recruiters, and networking connections. Great for...
- Sales Prospects
- Job Recruiters
- Networking Connections
- Workplace Colleagues
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How to Write a Follow-Up Email After No Response
- Don’t follow up too quickly.
- Include a close.
- Resist the urge to re-send your first email.
- Write an authentic subject line.
- Include a reminder of your last touchpoint.
- Keep the body of the email as short as possible.
- Include a call-to-action at the end.
So, I did my research, found a prospect that matches my company’s ICP, crafted the perfect cold email, and… crickets.
This is the norm, so don’t worry. I just try to keep these considerations in mind as I’m planning my next at-bat.
1. Don’t follow up too quickly.
Salespeople like to categorize themselves as persistent, but when you’re following up with the wrong cadence, persistence can begin to look a lot like pestering.
I personally strive to respond to business emails within 24 hours of receiving them, but a few might slip through the cracks. To me, following up the day after the first outreach email gives insufficient time, and it makes you look desperate.
- Wait at least two days between your first and second follow-up attempts — or three during a busy time of year.
2. Include a close.
It’s easy to soften an initial follow-up email with phrases like “I’d love to hear back from you” or “I’d like to learn more about what you do,” but I’ve got some bad news: these aren’t questions, and none of them ask for a close.
Closing isn’t just a will-they-or-won’t-they-sign-the-contract question.
- Every communication you have with a prospect — from first outreach to final paperwork — should include a close.
Whether you’re closing for another five minutes of their time, a demo, or a discovery call, you’d better have a purpose and call-to-action (CTA) every time you contact your prospect.
Instead of an ambiguous statement like, “I think I can really help you. I hope to hear from you soon,” make sure you give your prospect a reason to respond. Include firm questions like, “Are you free for a demo this Friday?” or “Can you return feedback on the initial proposal by next Tuesday?” and give your prospect an actionable request to respond to.
3. Resist the urge to re-send your first email.
I never cut and paste or forward the original email. It might feel like a shortcut, but it’s lazy and it increases the likelihood your emails will be filtered by spam or blocked entirely.
- Treat each follow-up email as a blank slate. Try new subject lines, opening greetings, and CTAs. You never know what’s going to finally move your prospect to respond.
4. Write an authentic subject line.
I only ever see spammers try to trick someone into opening an email. Consider using subject lines like:
- “Bumping this in your inbox”: This lets them know that you’ve sent an email before and are sending another message just in case they missed the first one.
- “Resources for [business name]”: Another great option that makes your prospect curious about what they might find inside.
- “Demo last week”: An easy choice if you’ve already carried out a demo with the prospect.
In other words:
- Keep your subject lines positive, clear, and concise.
You can also download the free guide shown below to deep dive into )
5. Include a reminder of your last touchpoint.
Most likely, you and your prospect don’t interact often enough for them to remember you. Or they might remember you, but still need a reminder of why you’re reaching out again.
Try simple, straightforward reminders that make you sound friendly and willing to offer more value.
- Your opening should also get to the point quickly, reminding your prospect of the call-to-action you gave them in your previous message.
Here are some examples:
- “Checking in, [name]. Did you have a chance to look at the [articles, resources, links] I sent last week?”
- “Did you get a chance to look over the contract I sent on [date]?”
- “Hope you’re enjoying the product samples so far. I shot you an email last week to get your temperature on them and am bumping this up to the top of your inbox.”
6. Keep the body of the email as short as possible.
I have to constantly resist the temptation to write prospects a novel.
- Researching the recipient is great, but a follow-up email shouldn’t contain more than a few bullet points or paragraphs.
Your second email should complement the first, not overwhelm your prospect with more information that will make it harder to respond.
The body of your follow-up email should:
- Offer more value to the prospect.
- Clarify how the prospect will benefit if they continue to engage with you.
- Make it irresistible to answer your call-to-action.
On that note, let’s talk about CTAs.
7. Include a call-to-action at the end.
Your prospect should never walk away from one of your emails without knowing what they’re supposed to do. Tell them what you want from them, and you’re more likely to get it. Do you want them to answer a specific question? Give you more information about their company? Forward you to the right person who’d be able to handle the deal?
- Note that your CTA should never be the same as the one in your first email.
Your prospect likely already saw the first email, and maybe they found the CTA too much for them at the time. Increase your chances of a response by adjusting your close.
I’ll go over that in more detail in the next section, because this will come into play if you need to send a second follow-up email.
30 Free Follow-Up Email Templates
Follow up with colleagues, sales prospects, recruiters, and networking connections. Great for...
- Sales Prospects
- Job Recruiters
- Networking Connections
- Workplace Colleagues
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Sending a Second Follow-Up Email After No Response
When sending a second follow-up email after no response, you’ll want to consider timing. My advice? Wait three days before getting in touch again, and always send a fresh message. Last, include a call-to-action that shows your prospect what you want them to do next.
When sending a second follow-up email after no response, you’ll want to consider timing. My advice? Wait three days before getting in touch again, and always send a fresh message. Last, include a call-to-action that shows your prospect what you want them to do next.
Here’s what to keep in mind.
8. Adjust your close every time you don’t get a response.
If you need to follow up a second time and you’re still not getting a response, you might simply be suffering from the wrong call-to-action.
If your first follow-up email asked for a meeting, your second might ask for a referral instead. If you still get no response, your third email should request more general information.
If all else fails, ask a question entirely disconnected from work. If a new driving range opened in their town, ask, “I saw you have a new Topgolf open in your neighborhood! Have you checked it out yet?”
At times, it’s easier for prospects to answer personal questions about themselves. It reminds them you’re a human and not just a sales machine. Once you get a response to your Topgolf question, steer the conversation back to business.
- Each time you follow up with a prospect after no response, your close should get easier to deliver on.
9. Don’t send a breakup email.
I cringe at the thought of someone doing this, but if you’re new to sales you need to hear it: Never send a breakup email.
There’s an old sales adage warning reps not to announce intent. If you send a frustrated email after your fourth follow-up saying, “Well, since I haven’t heard from you, I’ll assume you’re not interested,” you’ve made your prospect feel bad, made yourself look like a victim, and decreased the likelihood of them contacting you in the future.
By not saying anything and emailing again after a few months, you’ve kept yourself in a position of authority and avoided passive-aggressively blaming your prospect for never responding.
- If you’ve tried several times, stop sending your prospect emails. Go away, wait, and follow up a few months later.
Tips for Sending a Follow-up Email After No Response
This short list of tips can help you quickly scan your follow-up email to make sure it hits all the right notes with your prospect.
Tip #1: Choose the right timing.
, founder of sales and marketing at , says that, “Waiting about 48-72 hours strikes the perfect balance — it’s long enough to give your prospect time to respond, yet it keeps the conversation timely and relevant.”
Waiting for a few days gives the recipient enough time to process your previous email and attend to other priorities. If the matter is urgent or if you know the recipient’s schedule is tight, adjust your timing accordingly.
Tip #2: Provide more information.
It’s possible that the recipient of your initial email didn’t reply because you didn’t include enough information for them to decide on a response.
When I’m following up, I try to offer more context or remind the prospect about why the original email was important. Of course, I know exactly what I’m trying to convey in my own email — so I like to have a colleague scan my message and identify parts of it that could be clearer or more direct.
Tip #3: Offer value.
If you can provide something valuable, like a free trial or useful content, you’re more likely to get a response to your follow-up email.
, principal consultant at , knows this all too well. “In my experience in marketing strategy and brand activation, a standout follow-up email tactic involves offering a new, insight-filled piece of content that adds significant value beyond the initial communication.”
If you kicked off the outreach with information about some of your most compelling services, the follow-up might contain a case study or whitepaper specific to the prospect’s business or industry. Be sure to think about value from the perspective of your contact. For example, I might feel like an ebook all about a problem they’re experiencing is incredibly valuable, but if they’re too busy to use it, that same content might feel like spam to them.
Tip #4: Show empathy.
The best way to engage your recipient is to consider their perspective and situation, and I’ve personally found that making a point to exercise empathy can help build connections and encourage a response.
It takes practice to quickly understand where a new lead or prospect is coming from. This guide to active listening in sales can speed up the process.
Tip #5: Create urgency.
If you’re not getting a quick response to your emails, you might not be giving a reason for immediate action. To create a sense of urgency, I sometimes set a deadline or add a time-sensitive offer to encourage a prospect to respond. These questions may inspire you as you craft that sense of urgency in your follow-up email.
Tip #6: Offer social proof.
My favorite way to convey the value of a product or service is through social proof such as customer testimonials or case studies. When you’re selling something, the prospect needs to be able to imagine your product or service solving a problem. Social proof makes that task much easier for them.
“Whether it is a customer review on the company’s website, a star rating, or an in-depth case study, social proof leverages positive feedback from real users,” says , professor of negotiation and influencing.
The stories, images, and tone of your social proof can also help keep conversations going. This is useful because some customers need more time to make decisions, and the hardest part might be keeping them engaged.
Tip #7: Get to the point.
Your follow-up email should be concise, focusing on the essentials without being overly verbose.
Your prospect should be able to quickly understand the purpose of your email, so stick to one main topic or question and avoid introducing new, unrelated requests or information which can overwhelm the recipient or distract from your main objective.
, CEO and funder of , puts it best: “People get busy; emails get buried. A friendly reminder can make all the difference. Keep it short and sweet. No one wants to wade through a novel in their inbox. Briefly re-introduce yourself and the value you offer, then suggest a next step. Offer something new.”
Tip #8: Show your credibility.
There’s a higher chance that you’ll get a response if you prove your credibility. Your knowledge and expertise in your industry are clear to you and your colleagues, but they might be new to your customers.
Add links, content, or stories to your follow-up emails that show why your insights have value. Showing what you know and how it can be useful can help you build trust with your prospect.
30 Free Follow-Up Email Templates
Follow up with colleagues, sales prospects, recruiters, and networking connections. Great for...
- Sales Prospects
- Job Recruiters
- Networking Connections
- Workplace Colleagues
Download Free
All fields are required.
You're all set!
Click this link to access this resource at any time.
Follow-Up Email After No Response: Mistakes to Avoid
I’d say the biggest mistake is not following up at all. And surprisingly, 48% of salespeople make that mistake.
But even if sending a follow-up email puts you ahead of almost half your peers, it’s important to make your message the best it can be by avoiding these common mistakes.
Mistake #1: Missing Personal Touches
Without a little personalization, your email will seem self-serving and detached. If you’re looking for a positive response, find ways to make your follow-up email feel engaging, conversational, and useful.
If you’re not sure where to start, do a little research on your prospect with LinkedIn, and incorporate some details that make it clear you’ve done your homework.
Mistake #2: Skipping Important Information
If your follow-up email doesn’t include valuable or practical information, your prospect may see it as a waste of time.
I used to take careful notes during meetings, but today I leverage an AI tool like to do it for me. I’ll then refer to these notes as well as past emails while writing follow-ups to be sure that each email is relevant and valuable to the recipient.
Mistake #3: Forgetting to Proofread
Grammar and spelling aren’t the only mistakes that can make your follow-up email feel unprofessional or careless. Sending emails to the wrong contact or skipping attachments can also be an issue.
Don’t just rely on your email proofreading tools to check your emails. Confirm sender, subject, and attachment info before clicking send.
Mistake #4: Not Adding a Call-to-Action
If you don’t add a CTA, your prospect may not feel a need to respond. A well-written CTA gives your prospect a reason to connect, even if they’re waiting for stakeholders or are not ready to buy.
Check out this list if you’re looking for new call-to-action ideas.
Mistake #5: Sounding Pushy or Aggressive
Check the tone of voice in your follow-up emails. Being persistent and direct is motivational, but if you push those qualities too far they can come off as blunt, harsh, and aggressive.
When you quickly read through your own writing, you naturally interpret it the way you intended it to be read. To get a better read on what the recipient will hear, I like to read emails aloud before I hit send.
Follow-Up Email Example
Below is a great follow-up email template I’ve used in the past.
Bumping this in your inbox
Hi [prospect name],
It was great to hear about your [business pain point] on our last call. I think [company name] can help you [insert benefit].
If you’re game to hear a few of my ideas on a 15-minute call, you can grab some time on my calendar link. Are you free this Thursday?
Thanks,
[Signature]
Not quite perfect? I’ve drafted many more below for specific situations. You can also use ChatGPT to explain your precise situation, tone requirements, and more and have it generate additional ideas in seconds.
Follow-Up Email Templates
I’m about to share 18 follow-up email templates below, but first, be sure to grab our . They’re free to download and you can customize them to send the perfect follow-up email.
PS: You can also try our to help with those follow-ups.
1. Following Up After Sending Resources
If you sent a list of resources and the customer hasn’t responded, use the below email template. If you’re using , you might have even seen that they opened the email but didn’t get back to you. In that case, they’re likely too busy to respond.
Resources list for [business name]
Hi [prospect name],
Did you have a chance to look at the [articles, resources, links] I sent last week?
Since it was a pretty long list, I’ve compiled the most useful ones below:
- [Link 1]: This is a great how-to on resolving [business pain point] — very quick read.
- [Link 2]: You were curious about [insert product feature], and this is a great summary written by my colleague.
I’d love to touch base this week and see if we can help [business name] [achieve X results]. Are you free on Friday for a ten-minute call?
Thanks,
[Signature]
Pro tip: If they didn’t respond to your first resource email, whittle it down to just one or two particularly specific resources that connect to their pain points and needs.
2. Following Up After A Meeting
Say you’ve made a sales pitch to a prospect, had a nice conversation with them about your product, and felt confident that they’d ask for a demo or a free trial. A few days later, however, and the deal hasn’t progressed.
In this case, I’d send a nudge asking if the prospect would want to have a further conversation about the product on a tailored demo. You can also send them a document that summarizes all the details you discussed during your initial meeting to jog their memories.
Ready to Explore [Your Product/Service] Further?
Hi [prospect name],
I enjoyed our conversation last [day of the week] about how [Your Product/Service] can support the needs of [Their Company Name]. I’ve attached a summary of what we discussed to refresh your memory and help further illustrate the benefits we can offer.
I understand how busy things can get, but I wouldn’t want you to miss out on the opportunity to see our solution in action. Are you available for a demo or would you like to start with a free trial?
Looking forward to helping [Their Company Name] achieve [specific goal discussed in the meeting].
Best regards,
[Signature]
Pro tip: Keep your tone positive and supportive, providing a gentle nudge by reiterating the potential value of your product or service and offering clear next steps to encourage further engagement.
3. Following Up After Demo
Most customers who’ve gotten to the demo stage won’t ignore your emails. They’re likely interested in purchasing your product or service. But if there’s a customer who received a demo and then stopped responding to your emails, it’s useful to touch base again and make sure you’re still on their radar.
Following up after the demo last week
Hello [prospect name],
Just bumping this up in your inbox. Did you get a chance to speak to [higher-up] about moving forward with [product or service]?
If not, I’d love to set up a phone call so I can get your team started [achieving X results]. Are you and your manager available on Wednesday morning for a brief phone call?
Thanks,
[Signature]
Pro tip: Refer to the last call-to-action you established, then offer an alternative that may be more workable.
4. Following Up After a Missed Call
Have you sent an email and also called? And neither of those has gotten a response?
This is one of those situations where I would wait about a week. You don’t want to pester the prospect too much. Second, send an email that re-establishes the value you can bring to their company.
Growth opportunities for [business name]
Hey [prospect name],
Do you still need [specific features] to help your business [achieve X results]?
Happy to jump on a quick call to answer your questions and ask a few of my own, or let me know if there’s a different contact I should approach with this solution.
Thanks,
[Signature]
Pro tip: If you’ve tried to get in contact several times and get no response, it’s safe to assume they’re not the right person to talk to — or they’re an unqualified lead. Either ask for another contact, or stop emailing the person.
5. Following Up After A Trigger Event
If you use sales tools to track visitor and lead activity, you’ll get a notification when a prospect performs a trigger event, such as visiting a particular page on your website or reopening your last email. A trigger event is an activity that opens up a sales or marketing opportunity and lets you know which prospects need your product and when to contact them.
When this happens, you can send an email letting the prospect know that you noticed they were checking out something on your site (or whatever the trigger event was), and that you’d like to help them find what they need.
Saw You Checking Out [Specific Page/Product]
Hi [prospect name],
I noticed you were looking at [specific page or product] on our site recently, and I wanted to reach out to make sure you found everything you were looking for.
If you have any questions or would like more detailed information, I’m here to help! Also, if it sounds useful, I’d be happy to arrange a quick call to discuss how we can meet [their specific need] with [Product/Service].
Looking forward to assisting you further!
Best regards,
[Signature]
Pro tip: Ensure that your follow-up email is friendly, targeted, and personalized. Highlight the prospect’s recent activity and directly address their potential needs or interests.
6. Following Up After Sending a Contract
For smaller or freelance businesses, sending a contract is something you do early on in the sales cycle — more like a quote than a legally binding document.
If you’re in enterprise sales, sending a contract is a much bigger deal. It’s implied that the recipient is ready to sign at that point, so you probably won’t need to follow up.
Still, if you didn’t get a response after sending a contract over email, send a short check-in message.
[Product name] contract
Hey [prospect name],
I hope you’re having a great week. Did you get a chance to look over the contract I sent on [date]?
Can I answer any questions or resolve any concerns? I’m excited to get you and your team on board so we can [achieve X results] for your business.
Thanks,
[Signature]
Pro tip: You’ve gotten to the contract stage because you’ve effectively created a connection. Your positivity here can help generate some additional enthusiasm for the partnership.
7. Following Up After They Submitted a Sales Inquiry
Your prospect may have submitted a form, signaling purchasing intent. You responded, but they didn’t get back to you.
This lead is still hot, and it’s most definitely worth following up.
Helping your business [achieve X]
Hi [prospect name],
Thanks for reaching out through our website. I realize my last email may have gotten lost in the pile, so I’m following up again.
You said you’re interested in [product or service] and are having trouble with [business pain points]. I’d like to set up some time for us to chat. Are you available on Friday morning?
If not, feel free to book a slot on my calendar: [meeting link]
Thanks,
[Signature]
Pro tip: Repeat their pain points, reminding them why they reached out and why they need your product.
8. Following Up After You Connected on Social Media
If you connected on social media, sent an email, and received no response, follow up again — especially if the prospect seemed interested in your offering.
Glad to connect with you on [social media platform]
Hey [prospect name],
Glad we connected on [social media platform] last week. I’m touching base again with a few resources that I think would be helpful as your business tries to [achieve X result].
- [Link 1]
- [Link 2]
- [Link 3]
If this isn’t a good time for us to connect, I’d love for us to stay in contact. Submit this form [link] so you can learn about occasional product updates straight from me. I’ll be looking out for your submission.
Thanks,
[Signature]
Pro tip: If your first email didn’t get a response, provide additional value and don’t forget to include a call-to-action.
9. Following Up After Prospect Attends Your Webinar
Hosting webinars is a great way to attract people who are interested in your product or service. After hosting a successful webinar, it’s a good idea to follow up with your attendees, build a connection with them, and offer them even more value. Because they’ve already derived value from your webinar, they’ll be more receptive to your emails.
Thanks for Joining Our Webinar on [Webinar Topic]!
Hi [prospect name],
Thank you for attending our recent webinar on [Webinar Topic]. I hope you found it insightful and beneficial. We covered a lot of ground, including [mention any key points or highlights briefly].
To help you further explore the ideas we discussed, I’ve attached some additional resources that I think you’ll find valuable. Also, if you have any questions or would like a deeper discussion on how [Your Product/Service] can specifically help [specific benefit or solution related to the webinar topic], I would be more than happy to set up a follow-up call.
We’re excited to assist you in [specific goal or outcome related to the webinar]. Let’s make sure you have all the support you need to succeed!
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
[Signature]
Pro tip: In your email, express gratitude, reinforce the value you provided through your webinar, and invite further engagement to build a strong relationship with your prospects.
10. Following Up After Networking Event
Attending a networking event and exchanging contact info with people who fit your ideal customer profile (ICP) feels productive, but in my experience the work is far from over. Send a follow up early reminding them who you are, how (and where) you met them, and how you’d like to do business with them.
Particularly after an extended event like a conference or tradeshow, the recipient is getting lots of these emails. Try to stand out, and be persistent in following up.
If you want to collaborate with them:
Great meeting you at [Event Name]!
Hi [prospect name],
I hope this message finds you well. It was a pleasure meeting you at [Event Name] last [day of the week]. I really enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic you discussed] and found your insights on [relevant topic] particularly enlightening.
I'm very interested in exploring ways we could collaborate and would love to hear more about your projects at [Their Company Name]. If you’re available, could we schedule a time to chat more about this? I’m flexible with timing and can adjust to fit your schedule.
Thank you for considering this, and I look forward to the possibility of working together.
Regards,
[Signature]
If they match your ideal customer profile:
Discovering New Opportunities with [Your Product/Service]
Hi [prospect name],
It was a pleasure meeting you at [Event name] and discussing your current challenges and initiatives at [Their Company Name]. Based on our conversation, I believe that [Your Product/Service] could offer significant value in addressing some of the challenges you mentioned.
I would love the opportunity to give you a brief walkthrough of how our solution can specifically help your team overcome [Their pain point]. Are you available for a quick call next week?
Looking forward to the opportunity to assist [Their Company Name] in achieving its goals with [specific benefit of your product/service].
Best regards,
[Signature]
Pro tip: Keep your tone warm and professional, remind the recipient of your previous interaction, and clearly state the purpose of your follow-up. Adjust the specifics and context of your meeting to fit your conversation better and make it more personal.
11. Following Up After They Don’t Renew Their Contract
Some prospects choose to ghost when it’s time to renew their contract, ignoring your first email and even automated reminders from the system.
[Business’] contract up for renewal
Hey [prospect name],
It’s [your name] from [your company name]. Hope you’re having a great week.
Did you receive my email about your contract being up for renewal? Just in case, I’m bumping this up in your inbox.
Your contract’s renewal date was on [date], and the grace period is about to end.
I’d love to talk through all your options. Are you available on Thursday morning for a fifteen-minute call?
Thanks,
[Signature]
Pro tip: The prospect may not be ready to renew because of a budget or internal issue. Close with a request for a call so you can pitch alternative options, such as an adjusted package.
12. Following Up After Sending a Quote
Typically, you send a quote over email, and if you receive no response, it’s critical to follow up so that you can re-emphasize the efficacy of your solution.
Quote for [product]
Hi [prospect name],
Hope your week is going well. Did you get a chance to look over the quote I sent on [date]?
The sooner I get the quote approved, the sooner we can get your business to [achieve X results].
I’d be happy to answer any questions on a brief phone call. Would Friday work for you?
Thanks,
[Signature]
Pro tip: Like in the last example, the prospect may be encountering an unexpected internal hold-up. Offer them the opportunity to talk through some of the terms and fees and be open to negotiation.
13. Following Up After Sending Product Samples
In some industries, such as the print and manufacturing industries, product samples are required before the prospect can move forward with a quote, contract, or purchase.
Always follow up if they didn’t respond to your first email — especially if they’re an enterprise customer.
[Your company name] product samples
Hi [prospect name],
Hope you’re enjoying the product samples so far. I shot you an email last week to get your temperature on the samples and am bumping this up to the top of your inbox.
How are the samples working for you? I’ve compiled a comparison chart for the products I sent over:
[link]
I would recommend [product] because of its [feature that relates to their business challenge].
Are you curious about any additional products?
Thanks,
[Signature]
Pro tip: If they’re not responding after receiving the samples, the products may not be a good fit. Offer an opening for them to ask for more samples.
14. Following Up After a Free Trial
A free trial is a great opportunity to showcase your company’s SaaS product and capture a prospect’s attention. If the trial period is about to end, it’s time to check in.
Your [product name] trial
Hey [prospect name],
Just reaching out to let you know that your free trial will end on [date].
How are you enjoying the software? Has it helped your business [achieve X results]?
If you need more time before making a choice, that’s totally understandable. Email me back if you’d like a trial extension, and I’ll work with our product team to try and get you one more week.
In the meantime, I’d love to hear how the product has been working for you. Are you available on Wednesday afternoon for a 15-minute call?
Thanks,
[Signature]
Pro tip: A prospect’s lack of response doesn’t necessarily mean “No,” and if they started a free trial they’re very much interested in your offering. In my experience, however, many users don’t actually take advantage of free trials because they didn’t have anything to lose. Offer an extension if possible, but make it clear that it’s their last freebie so they should take advantage of it.
30 Free Follow-Up Email Templates
Follow up with colleagues, sales prospects, recruiters, and networking connections. Great for...
- Sales Prospects
- Job Recruiters
- Networking Connections
- Workplace Colleagues
Download Free
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Click this link to access this resource at any time.
15. Following Up After The Prospect Asks You To Follow Up
There have been times when I emailed a key decision-maker at a company I wanted to work for to ask if they were hiring. They’d get back to me saying they weren’t currently hiring, but I should follow up in a couple of months to see if things have changed.
This can happen in marketing, too; prospects may tell you that they’re not in a position to purchase your product right now, but you should email back in a few months. Once a few months are up, send them an email that looks like this:
Revisiting Our Discussion on [Product/Service]
Hi [prospect name],
A few months ago, we discussed the potential for [Your Product/Service] to assist with [specific need or problem] at [Company Name]. You suggested I reach back out around this time to explore current possibilities.
Please let me know if you’re available for a quick call to discuss this further. We’ve recently [mention any new updates or features relevant to their needs], which I think could be particularly useful for your team, and I’m keen to understand your current priorities and explore how we can provide solutions that make sense for you.
Best regards,
[Signature]
Pro tip: Maintain a professional tone, remind the prospect of your previous conversation with them, and respectfully seek an update on their current needs and interest in your product.
16. Following Up After Prospect Goes Silent After Showing Interest
Ghosting, while sad and discouraging, is pretty common in the marketing and sales industries. Sometimes, a prospect might show interest in your product only to go silent suddenly. They might have been caught up with other things, or they might not want to purchase your product or service anymore. Perhaps they found another product that’s better suited for them.
However, since they expressed interest in your product, it’s wise to send a follow-up email to ascertain why they haven’t said anything further and if they’re still interested in purchasing your product.
Quick Check-In
Hi [prospect name],
I noticed we haven’t spoken since our last conversation about [Product/Service], and I wanted to check in to see if you had any more thoughts or questions. I understand priorities can shift quickly, and I’m here to help address any new issues or concerns you might have.
If there’s anything more you need to know about how [Product/Service] can benefit [specific application for their business], I’d be more than happy to provide detailed information or arrange another demo at your convenience.
Please let me know if you’re still interested or if your needs have changed. Either way, I appreciate your consideration.
Regards,
[Signature]
Pro tip: Take care to be respectful of the recipient’s possible change in circumstances and keep the door open for further communication, whether they choose to continue the conversation or not.
17. Following Up To Find The Right Contact
In my experience, if an opportunity looks great on paper but the prospect isn’t responding, I’m probably reaching out to the wrong person. Acknowledge this in your follow-up email.
Quick Request for Assistance
Hi [prospect name],
I hope this message finds you well. I recently reached out about [brief description of initial request], but I’m not sure if you’re the right person to discuss this opportunity.
Could you please direct me to the appropriate contact at [Their Company Name] who handles [specific department or service area related to your request]? If it’s more convenient, feel free to forward this email to them directly.
Thank you for your time and assistance — I really appreciate it, and I think this will pay dividends for [Their Company]!
Best regards,
[Signature]
Pro tip: Be polite and straightforward. Make it clear what you need, while respecting the recipient’s time. This makes it easy for the recipient to either respond directly or forward your request to the appropriate person.
18. Following Up After An Initial Follow-Up
Sometimes, you may send a follow-up email and still not get a response. But this doesn’t mean you should give up. Send a second follow-up email to remind the person of your initial outreach. As they say, the third time’s the charm!
Just Checking In – [Your Original Subject]
Hi [prospect name],
I wanted to touch base once more regarding my previous emails about [specific subject or request]. I understand how busy things can get and just wanted to ensure that this didn’t slip through the cracks.
I believe [reiterate the value proposition or relevance of your request to their needs], and I’m keen to hear your thoughts on this. If there’s someone else on your team who I should reach out to instead, please let me know, or feel free to forward this email to them.
Can we connect later this week?
Regards,
[Signature]
Or you can use this template:
Quick Follow-Up: [Original Subject]
Hi [prospect name],
I wanted to reach out again as I haven’t yet heard back from you regarding my last message about [brief description of the original subject]. I’m eager to hear your thoughts and discuss how we can move forward with [specific action or decision]. If it’s more convenient for you, I’m also available for a quick call to go over everything in person.
And lastly, are you even the right contact for this opportunity?
Regards,
[Signature]
Pro tip: Keep your tone light and professional, reiterate the reason for your follow-up, and open the door for your email to be directed to someone else if the recipient is not the correct contact.
Fortune Favors the Follow-Up
If you’ve ever felt like you’re shouting into the void, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and when a string of emails to qualified contacts goes unanswered, it’s easy to get discouraged.
However, just remember that sales is a numbers game, and if you put in the work and trust the process, you’ll find the buyers who need your service and hit your targets. And if you’re ever lost for words, test out a few of these email templates in your follow-up outreach and see what works with your own products and prospects.
Editor's note: This post was originally published in June 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
30 Free Follow-Up Email Templates
Follow up with colleagues, sales prospects, recruiters, and networking connections. Great for...
- Sales Prospects
- Job Recruiters
- Networking Connections
- Workplace Colleagues
Download Free
All fields are required.
You're all set!
Click this link to access this resource at any time.
![How to Write a Follow-Up Email After an Interview [Templates + Tips]](https://www.hubspot.com/hubfs/Follow%20Up%20Email-May-16-2023-03-38-50-7356-PM.png)
