On average, salespeople who send at least ane follow-up e-mail subsequently no response reach a 27% respond rate. Those who don't send ane get stuck at a 16% average reply charge per unit.

You lot don't desire that 11-point gap to cost you a major contract or forestall y'all from exceeding quota. In this mail service, I'll bear witness you how to send a follow-upward e-mail subsequently no response — and get that prospect to shut at last.

Free Download: 30 Follow-Up Email Templates

In this postal service, we'll explore:

  • Why ship a follow-up email after no response?
  • How to Write a Follow-Up Electronic mail Afterward No Response
  • Second Follow-Upwards Email After No Response
  • Follow-Upward Electronic mail Subsequently No Response Example
  • Templates for Follow-Up Emails After No Response

Why send a follow-up electronic mail after no response?

It's unproblematic: Following up is disquisitional because it significantly increases your chances of getting a response.

How many times has a deal been going forth without a hitch until, of a sudden, information technology's not? Ane week of silence passes, then two, and you're left wondering what you lot did wrong and if there's whatever way to fix it.

By this point, you've probable sent previous follow-up emails or left voicemails on your prospect's inbox. Even if the situation looks dour, information technology's important to go on following up afterward no response.

Research shows that if you add simply one more than follow-up email, you tin increase your average reply rate past eleven percentage points. Those eleven percentage points may look small, but they're the difference between a yep and a no.

Follow-upwardly emails besides have a higher reply rate in general. The first follow-up email has a twoscore%-increase in reply rate in comparison to the starting time email. For case, if your average reply rate for your first email is five%, your follow-upward electronic mail will take an average answer rate of 7%.

So don't ever skip post-obit upwards — it tin can cost you a closed-won deal.

When to Follow Up After No Response

At most, await three days before following up afterward no response.

If you await a week, it'll be besides long. And if you lot send an electronic mail on the same day, y'all'll appear drastic. Send ii to three emails in your sequence, and remember: never ship a breakup electronic mail. Instead, leave the conversation open and return to it at a later on date.

On that notation, permit's go over best practices for sending a follow-upward message.

How to Write a Follow-Up Electronic mail After No Response

  1. Ask yourself if y'all included a close in your first attempt.
  2. Resist the urge to re-send your start email.
  3. Don't follow up likewise rapidly.
  4. Write a truthful subject line.
  5. Start the message with a reminder of your terminal touchpoint.
  6. Resist the temptation to exist passive-aggressive in your opening.
  7. Go along the body of the e-mail as short equally possible.
  8. Include a call-to-activity at the end.

If your prospect doesn't reply to your first email, you lot might exist thinking to yourself, "Well, if they didn't respond the first time, then surely they're not interested in the product and I should leave them solitary."

Incorrect.

Many factors affect a prospect'due south conclusion to not respond to your email. Information technology may not take been the right fourth dimension; they may have seen information technology, but forgotten to reply; your e-mail got buried in their inbox; they may non exist interested at present, but if y'all stay in contact, they'll be interested subsequently.

There are as well many reasons for following up. So, what'southward your next footstep? Hither are several principles to adhere to when sending a follow-up email after no response. Follow them, and y'all're more than probable to welcome a few of those prodigal prospects dorsum into your open arms.

1. First, ask yourself (honestly) if you included a close in your kickoff try.

First, enquire yourself if you included a shut in your first effort. When we send an initial follow-up email to fish for a response, salespeople often soften them. Nosotros throw in an "I'd dear to hear dorsum from you" or "I'd like to learn more than about what y'all practise."

The problem is, these aren't questions and none of them ask for a close. Endmost isn't merely a will-they-or-won't-they-sign-the-contract question. Every communication y'all accept with a prospect — from initial outreach to concluding paperwork — should include a close. Whether you're closing for some other five minutes of their fourth dimension, a demo, or a discovery call, you lot'd meliorate have a purpose and call-to-activity every fourth dimension you attain out to your prospect.

So, instead of an cryptic statement like, "I think I tin actually help you. I promise we can catch up shortly," make sure you requite your prospect an opening to respond. Include business firm questions similar, "Are you free for a demo this Friday?" or "Can you return all feedback on the initial proposal by adjacent Tuesday?" and give your prospect an actionable asking to respond to.

2. Resist the urge to re-send your first email.

Never cut and paste or frontward the original electronic mail. It might experience empowering, just all information technology'south doing is advertising to your prospect that you're making them feel guilty for not responding. From a applied standpoint, this leaves your emails vulnerable to being filtered by spam or blocked entirely.

Care for each follow-upwards electronic mail every bit a blank slate. Try new subject area lines, opening greetings, and calls-to-action. Yous never know what's going to finally move your prospect to respond — then why limit yourself to i electronic mail thread that already has nine obsolete messages weighing it downwardly?

3. Don't follow up besides rapidly.

Salespeople like to categorize themselves every bit persistent. It's one of our calling cards and part of our identity, but when following upwards, persistence can begin to look a lot like pestering.

Existence persistent without insight into why the prospect isn't responding is not smart. If you're just waiting a day or 2 to touch on base of operations again after the beginning outreach electronic mail, yous're not giving them time to respond.

Worse, information technology signals to your prospect you're not that decorated — and no one wants to piece of work with a desperate salesperson. Await at least three days between your showtime and second follow-up endeavor. And so and merely and then should you accelerate your outreach cadence.

iv. Write a true discipline line.

Y'all might be tempted to "embellish" your subject field line, but trust me when I say: Don't. Using subject area lines like, "Re: Our coming together last week," or "Following upward on our phone phone call," when you've never completed either of those deportment with the prospect, is lying and always a bad idea.

Don't try to trick your prospect into opening your emails and responding to them out of confusion. Keep your subject lines positive, articulate, and concise. Consider using something like:

  • "Bumping this in your inbox": This lets them know that you lot've sent an email before, and are sending another message in case they missed the first message.
  • "Resources list for [business name]": Another great option that makes your prospect curious about what they might find inside.
  • "Post-obit upwardly after the demo terminal week": An easy pick if you've already carried out a demo with the prospect.

Looking for more ideas? Bank check out these email subject lines and download more for free below.

Featured Resource: 100 Electronic mail Subject Lines We Actually Clicked

subject lines for follow-up emails after no response

Download Your Free Bailiwick Lines At present

4. Beginning the message with a reminder of your last touchpoint.

Simply every bit lying to your prospect is in poor taste, so is sending a second electronic mail without making it evident y'all've been in contact before. This might work if y'all're specially close with the prospect — say, if yous're childhood friends. (Unlikely, but that might exist the case.)

Most likely, you lot and your prospect don't collaborate oftentimes enough for them to recall you. Or they might remember you, but need a reminder of why you lot're reaching out once more. And it doesn't have to be something equally explicit as, "This is a follow-up to an email I sent you lot last week," or as impersonal as, "I'k contacting yous again after attempting to connect with y'all a few days agone."

These types of sentences can feel wooden and even accusing. They make information technology seem similar the prospect willfully ignored your email. Maybe they did, just that can because of various reasons, including that they were busy when they first opened your e-mail.

Attempt simple, straightforward reminders that make you lot sound friendly and willing to provide more value. Your opening should as well get to the indicate speedily, reminding your prospect of the call-to-activity you lot gave them in your previous message. Here are some examples:

  • "Hope you're well. Did you have a take a chance to look at the [articles, resources, links] I sent last calendar week?"
  • "I hope you're having a great week. Did yous get a hazard to look over the contract I sent on [date]?"
  • "Promise you're enjoying the product samples and so far. I shot you an e-mail last calendar week to get your temperature on the samples and am bumping this up to the peak of your inbox."

5. Resist the temptation to be passive-aggressive in your opening.

When you've sent one or ii emails and haven't heard back, information technology's easy to start to have it personally. Salespeople have to have thicker peel than that. Lines like, "I've tried to reach you a few times at present," or "I know you're busy, I'g busy also," practise nothing to move your bargain forward.

All-time case scenario, you guilt your prospect into responding to your message. Worst case, you offend and alienate them. If you attain out a few times and don't hear back, proceed your tone positive.

When in uncertainty, assume positive intent. Phrases like, "Just wanted to bump this email to the meridian of your inbox," or "Wanted to impact base on this," quietly acknowledge your prospect is decorated and might simply need a gentle nudge to get the ball rolling once again.

6. Go on the body of the email equally short every bit possible.

A follow-up email shouldn't contain more a few bullet points or paragraphs. Stick to 2-iii paragraphs at near, considering remember — your prospect already got your offset e-mail. Your 2nd email should complement the first, non overwhelm your prospect with more data that volition make it harder to reply.

The body of your follow-up email should:

  • Provide more value to the prospect.
  • Analyze how the prospect volition benefit if they continue to engage with you.
  • Brand it irresistible to answer your call-to-activeness.

On that notation, let'due south talk most calls-to-action.

7. As e'er, include a call-to-action at the finish.

Your prospect should never walk away from one of your emails without knowing what they're supposed to practice. Tell them what yous want from them and you're more likely to become it. Do you want them to reply a specific question? Provide more information well-nigh their company? Forward y'all to the correct person who'd be able to handle the deal?

One matter to note: The call-to-action should never be the aforementioned as the one in your first email. Your prospect likely already saw the first email, and maybe they plant the telephone call-to-action too much for them at the time. Increase your chances of a response by adjusting your close.

Nosotros get over that in more detail in the next section, because this will come up into play if you lot need to send a second email after no response.

Second Follow-Upwards Email Afterward No Response

When sending a 2nd follow-upwards electronic mail after no response, you must think about timing outset. Wait three days earlier getting in bear on once more, and always send a fresh bulletin. Concluding, include a call to action that shows your prospect what you lot want them to exercise next.

How to Send a Second Follow-Up Electronic mail After No Response

You should go on in mind the post-obit important tips if y'all need to follow up a 2d time:

Adjust your close every time y'all don't become a response.

If you need to follow upwardly a second time and y'all're still not getting a response, you lot might simply exist suffering from the wrong telephone call to action. Each time yous follow up with a prospect after no response, your shut should become easier to deliver on (because each e-mail that goes unanswered, it gets easier and easier for your prospect to ignore yous).

If your starting time follow-upwards email asked for a meeting, your 2nd might ask for a referral instead. If yous withal get no response, your third email should request more full general information. For example, you might ask, "I'm trying to navigate your organization correct now. Where'south the best identify for me to go to learn more than about Team Ten and Project Y?"

If all else fails, ask a question entirely disconnected from piece of work. If a new putting range opened in their boondocks, ask, "I saw you have a new Topgolf open up in your neighborhood! Have yous checked information technology out still?"

At times, it'south easier for prospects to reply personal questions nigh themselves. It reminds them you're a human and not just a sales automobile. Once you get a response to your Topgolf question, steer the chat back to business.

Don't send a breakup e-mail.

Never ship a breakdown email. If yous've tried these steps, stop sending your prospect emails. Go away, await, and follow up a few months subsequently.

There's an sometime sales adage warning reps non to denote intent. If you send a frustrated e-mail afterward your fourth follow-up maxim, "Well, since I haven't heard from you, I'll presume you're non interested," you lot've made your prospect feel bad, made yourself look like a victim, and decreased the likelihood of them reaching out to you in the time to come.

By not maxim anything and reaching out over again after a few months accept elapsed, you've kept yourself in a position of authority and avoided passive-aggressively blaming your prospect for never responding. Follow upwards with a friendly, "I hope you had a dandy summertime! I know a lot of clients are focused on [benefit your product/service offers] heading into the autumn months. Is this a priority for your visitor right now?"

Follow-Upwards Email Example

Beneath is a great follow-up e-mail template I've used in the past.

If that one doesn't fit your situation, I've drafted several more examples.

Follow-Up Email Templates

follow up email example templatesWe've packaged thirty follow-upwardly email templates for you to utilize in any situation, including:

  • General follow-ups.
  • Syncing with recruiters.
  • Touching base with sales prospects.
  • Reconnecting with networking contacts.

Download the templates at present and customize them to send the perfect follow-upward email. Later on you're done downloading your costless templates, come back and check out the ones beneath.

ane. Following Up Later on Sending Resource

If you lot sent a listing of resources and the customer hasn't responded, use the beneath email template. You might have even seen that they opened the email on your CRM, but they didn't get back to you. In that case, they're likely besides busy to respond.

Tip: If they didn't reply to your showtime resource email, whittle information technology downwardly to just 1 or two particularly specific resource that connect to their pain points and needs.

two. Post-obit Upwardly Later on Demo

Most customers who've gotten to the demo stage won't ignore your emails. They're likely very interested in purchasing your product or service. Just if there's a customer who received a demo and then stopped responding to your emails, it's useful to bear on base again and ensure you're still on their radar.

Tip: Refer to the terminal call-to-action yous established, then provide an alternative that may be more viable.

three. Post-obit Up Afterwards a Missed Call

Have you lot sent an electronic mail and too called? And neither of those have gotten a response?

Get-go, this is one of those situations where you'd wait a week. You don't want to pester the prospect also much. 2nd, send an email that re-establishes the value you tin can bring to their company.

Tip: If yous've tried to make it contact several times and get no response, it'due south safe to presume they're not the right person to talk to — or they're an unqualified atomic number 82. Either enquire for another contact, or stop emailing the person and wait for the company to hire the right contact.

4. Following Up Afterward Sending a Contract

For smaller or freelance businesses, sending a contract is something yous practice early in the sales cycle — more like to a quote than a legally bounden document.

If you lot're in enterprise sales, sending a contract is a much bigger bargain. It's implied that the recipient is ready to sign at that point, so you lot probably won't need to follow up.

Yet, if you've failed to get a response subsequently sending a contract over electronic mail, send a brusk check-in message.

Tip: Yous've gotten to the contract stage considering you lot've effectively created a connection. Use emotions — positive emotions — to amp upward their enthusiasm.

v. Post-obit Upwardly Subsequently They Submitted a Sales Inquiry

Your prospect may accept submitted a form, signaling purchasing intent. You responded, but they didn't become back to you.

This lead is still hot, and it's most definitely worth following upwards.

Tip: Repeat their pain points, reminding them why they reached out and why they need your product.

vi. Following Up Subsequently You Connected on Social Media

If you connected on social media, sent an email, and received no response, follow upwardly again — especially if the prospect seemed interested in your offer.

Tip: If your first e-mail didn't get a response, provide more than value than you did previously, and don't forget to include a phone call to action.

7. Post-obit Up After They Don't Renew their Contract

Some prospects cull to ghost when it's time to renew their contract, ignoring your first electronic mail and even automated reminders from the organization.

Tip: The prospect may non exist ready to renew because of a budget or internal issue. Close with a request for a phone call then you can pitch alternative options, such as an adjusted package.

viii. Following Upwards After Sending a Quote

Typically, you ship a quote over electronic mail, and if y'all receive no response, it's critical to follow upward and then that you can re-emphasize the efficacy of your solution.

Tip: Like in the last example, the prospect may be encountering an unexpected internal agree-up. Offering the opportunity for them to talk through some of the terms and fees, and be open up to negotiation.

9. Following Upwardly After Sending Product Samples

In some industries, such as the print and manufacturing industries, product samples are required before the prospect tin can move forwards with a quote, contract, or purchase.

Always follow-up if they didn't answer to your first email — especially if they're an enterprise customer.

Tip: If they're not responding afterwards receiving the samples, the products may not exist a skillful fit. Offer an opening for them to ask for additional samples.

x. Post-obit Up After a Gratis Trial

A free trial is a great opportunity to showcase your company's SaaS production and to capture a prospect's attention. If the trial period is about to end and your prospect isn't responding to your emails, information technology's time to cheque in.

Tip: A prospect's lack of response does not necessarily mean "No." And if they took a complimentary trial, they're very much interested in your offering. But they may demand more time. Offer an extension if possible, and e'er endeavor to schedule a call to discover out how the trial is going.

Always Send a Follow-Up Email Afterward No Response

Salespeople work hard, and receiving answers to our emails makes us feel successful. Nosotros don't want to send too many follow-upwardly emails, but they're critical for leading the conversation toward a closed-won deal. Test out a few of these tactics in your follow-up outreach and lookout equally they make a significant difference in your response rates.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in June 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Free Resource: How to Reach & Engage Your Audience on Facebook

follow up email templates for free

Originally published Mar 14, 2022 viii:00:00 AM, updated March 14 2022