Responding after a period of silence requires a thoughtful approach. Here's how to craft an effective follow-up, incorporating best practices for re-engagement. This answer assumes you mean how to follow up after a lack of response to your initial outreach.
Crafting an Effective Follow-Up Message
It's essential to avoid common pitfalls and ensure your message is well-received. Here's a breakdown of how to approach the situation:
Dos and Don'ts
- Don't follow up too quickly: Give the recipient ample time to respond before sending a follow-up.
- Resist the urge to re-send your first email: Sending the same message again can be seen as repetitive or annoying.
- Ask yourself if you included a close in your first attempt: If not, add a clear call to action in your follow-up.
Structuring Your Follow-Up
Here's a suggested structure for your follow-up email, incorporating advice from the provided reference:
- Truthful Subject Line: Be upfront about your follow-up. Examples include:
- "Following up on [Original Subject]"
- "Checking In: [Original Subject]"
- Reminder of Last Touchpoint: Start by briefly referencing your previous email. For example:
- "I'm following up on my email from [Date] regarding [Brief Description]."
- Add Value (If Possible): This is where you can subtly improve your pitch. Think about it:
- Did you include a close in your first attempt? If not, this is your chance to give the recipient a way to act.
- Concise and Clear Message: Keep the message brief and to the point.
- Clear Call to Action: Make it easy for the recipient to respond.
Example Email
Subject: Following up on [Original Subject]
Hi [Recipient Name],
I'm following up on my email from [Date] regarding [Brief Description].
[Optional: Briefly add any new or relevant information. Did you find out something new that would be useful?]
Are you available for a quick call next week to discuss this further?
Best,
[Your Name]
Important Considerations
- Timing: Consider the recipient's timezone and work schedule when sending your follow-up.
- Multiple Follow-Ups: If you still don't receive a response after one or two follow-ups, it might be time to move on.
By following these guidelines, you can increase the chances of getting a response while maintaining a professional image.
