First off, very few of the larger companies have the resources to consistently respond in such a manner, that’s your advantage!
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Why Follow Up Matters More Than Ever
Follow up isn’t just about persistence; it’s about staying top of mind, building trust, and demonstrating reliability. Research shows that:
- 80% of sales require at least five follow-ups after the initial contact, yet nearly half of professionals give up after just one attempt.
- Only 25% of leads are ever followed up on properly, leaving massive opportunities untapped.
- Personalized follow-ups increase response rates by over 50%, proving that the effort pays off.
Whether you’re nurturing a lead, securing a partnership, or maintaining client relationships, effective follow up is key to long-term success.
Common Reasons People Avoid Follow Up
Despite its importance, many professionals hesitate to follow up consistently. Some of the most common reasons include:
Assuming no response means no interest – Silence often means the recipient is busy, not uninterested. Strategic follow-up can reignite conversations.Follow-up emails and calls, are your way of showing that you’re putting in more effort than everyone else.
Fear of being annoying – Many assume that repeated outreach will irritate the recipient. However, when done right, follow-ups are seen as helpful, not pushy.
Lack of a system – Without a structured process, follow-ups become sporadic and ineffective.
How to Master the Follow Up Process
Implementing a strong follow-up strategy doesn’t mean sending the same generic email repeatedly. Here’s how to make your follow-up more effective:
1. Use Multiple Channels
Not every prospect prefers email. Some respond better to phone calls, LinkedIn messages, or even video follow-ups. Diversify your approach to increase engagement.
2. Time It Right
Spacing out your follow-ups is crucial. Sending too many messages in a short period can be overwhelming, while waiting too long may cause you to lose momentum. A general rule is:
- Follow up within 24-48 hours after initial contact.
- Send a second follow-up 3-5 days later if no response.
- Continue checking in every 7-10 days while adding value.
3. Personalize Every Follow-Up
Generic messages get ignored. Reference past conversations, mention specific challenges, and tailor your message to the recipient’s needs.
Example: Instead of saying,
“Just checking in to see if you had a chance to review my email,”
Try,
“I remember you mentioned needing a solution for [specific problem]. I found this article that might help—would love to hear your thoughts!”
4. Add Value, Not Just Reminders
Each follow-up should provide something useful—an insight, a relevant article, a case study, or even a brief video. This keeps the conversation warm and positions you as a valuable resource rather than just another salesperson.
5. Use CRM and Automation for Consistency
Manually tracking follow-ups can be overwhelming. Use a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to automate reminders and track responses, ensuring no lead falls through the cracks.
6. Know When to Move On
If a prospect remains unresponsive after multiple follow-ups, it’s okay to pause. A polite “break-up” email can keep the door open for future opportunities.
Example:
“I understand that now may not be the right time. I’ll leave the ball in your court, but if your needs change, I’d be happy to reconnect.”
The Bottom Line
Don’t feel bad about sending multiple follow up emails either, especially if you’re passionate about the thing you’re emailing someone about.
Most of us who do send a follow up email only send one. We often think they’re either not interested, or we’re becoming a nuisance.
People, business owners especially, are very very busy. You’ve done it several times yourself. Missed the initial email, or saw it, and thought you’d return to it later, only to forget it about it some days later.
Ready to Transform Your Strategy? Let’s Talk
I’ve had this way of thinking about not following up in the past, and I am slowly shaking that bad habit. Here are a few of our clients and partners that required a few follow ups before we had the privilege of creating some pretty awesome videos for them.
If you don’t follow up, you are demonstrating you don’t care about the work.
TC Productions, LLC is a client focused, results oriented video production company based out of Atlanta, GA. With the goal of creating relationships rather than customers, our clients understand we are involved from start to finish and beyond. TC Productions plays a pivotal role by capturing and creating the clientele’s vision with the utmost of professionalism. A unique aspect of TC Productions is that we are equipped with an educational background, technical experience, and ingenuity that enables us to create professional videos at an affordable rate.
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