Follow Up Email After Proposal: What to Do If There's No Response

Sending a follow-up email after you’ve sent a proposal might seem obvious, but a lot of people either skip it or get it wrong—especially when the other side just goes quiet. If you’re stuck wondering what to do when you don’t get a reply after a proposal, you’re not alone. This article lays out why following up is so important, what to include in your message, and how to deal with silence without sounding pushy or losing your cool.

Introduction to Follow-Up Email After Proposal

A follow-up email after sending your proposal is more than just a polite poke. It’s your chance to remind the prospect why your solution matters, clear up any questions they haven’t raised, and keep the conversation going. It’s also a way to show you’re engaged and ready to help—not just firing off documents and hoping for the best.

In B2B sales, proposals often sit on someone’s desk (virtual or real) while key decision makers weigh in. That means without a nudge, your proposal gets buried or ignored. According to HubSpot, 80% of deals close only after at least five follow-ups. That first follow-up email is a big deal—get it right, and you set the tone for what comes next.

Fun fact: I once worked with an SDR who doubled their close rate just by tweaking how and when they followed up. No magic tricks, just consistent, thoughtful outreach.

Why Sending a Follow-Up Email Matters

Too many salespeople send off a proposal and wait, hoping for a reply. Spoiler: it doesn’t work.

Sending a follow-up email after your proposal does a few things:

• Keeps you in their mind: Everyone’s got a million things going on. A reminder email helps keep your offer from fading into the background.
• Builds your credibility: Timely, respectful emails show you’re serious and professional.
• Clears up confusion: Proposals can be long or complicated. A quick follow-up lets you highlight key points or answer questions early.
• Pushes the deal along: Follow-ups give you a chance to spot any hesitations or blocks so you can handle them.
• Fits into your overall plan: Following up across emails, calls, or LinkedIn messages boosts your chances of a response.

Salesforce found prospects respond 50% more often when follow-ups are consistent and personal in the first two weeks after a proposal.

Real-World Example

There’s a SaaS company whose sales team switched to a follow-up schedule based on when buyers actually engage:

• First email at 3 days post-proposal
• Second at 7 days with something extra (like a case study)
• Final check-in at 14 days asking for feedback

This bump got their engagement up 40% and sped up deals by 15%. Not bad, right?

What Makes a Follow-Up Email Work?

Some follow-ups land, others just fade away. The difference is in the details.

Here’s what effective follow-up emails usually have:

1. A Clear Subject Line

Keep it straightforward and relevant so they open your email. For example:

• “Checking in on your proposal”
• “Follow up: Proposal for [Project/Service]”
• “Next steps on your proposal?”

Avoid vague or desperate lines. If the subject’s confusing, they won’t click.

2. Personal Touch

Don’t just drop their name in the greeting and call it a day. Reference something specific you discussed or a pain point they mentioned.

Like:

“I enjoyed our chat last week about streamlining your onboarding process…”

This signals that you’re paying attention and not just sending mass emails.

3. Brief Reminder of Value

Quickly restate the main benefit your proposal offers. Don’t rehash the whole thing—focus on the outcomes that matter to them.

For instance:

“As mentioned, our tool can cut onboarding time by 30%, freeing up your team’s schedule nicely.”

4. Ask a Question or Suggest Next Steps

Invite them to respond without feeling pressured. You can ask:

• “Do you have any questions I can help with?”
• “Would you be open to a call to go over details?”
• “Are there any concerns I should address?”

This opens the door without cornering them.

5. Polite, Professional Tone

Stay friendly and respectful. Even if you’re frustrated by silence, keep it cool and helpful—not pushy or emotional.

6. Contact Information

Make it easy for them to get back to you. Include your email, phone number, and maybe a calendar link if you use one.

7. Keep It Short & Send at the Right Time

Stick to a few short paragraphs. Send during work hours, mid-week (Tuesday to Thursday usually works best).

8. Data Privacy and Compliance

If your follow-ups include automated sequences, make sure you follow GDPR or other relevant data privacy rules.

Follow-Up Email Templates You Can Use

Templates aren’t magic, but they can save time if you tweak them to fit each situation. Here’s some you can tailor.

1. First Follow-Up (3-5 Days Later)

Subject: Following up on your proposal for [Project Name]

Hi [First Name],

Just wanted to check if you had a chance to review the proposal I sent on [Date]. I’m happy to help if you have any questions or want to talk through details.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Info]

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2. Second Follow-Up (7-10 Days Later)

Subject: Any thoughts on the proposal for [Project/Service]?

Hi [First Name],

I wanted to touch base on the proposal we sent last week. I’m confident our solution can help you with [specific benefit] and would love to hear any feedback or questions you have.

Would you be open to a quick call this week?

Thanks,
[Your Name]

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3. After Multiple No Responses (14+ Days)

Subject: Checking in one last time on your proposal

Hi [First Name],

I know things get busy. If this isn’t the right time to move forward, no worries at all—just let me know.

Otherwise, I’m here to answer any questions or help with next steps whenever you’re ready.

Take care,
[Your Name]

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4. Value-Add Follow-Up (Sharing Insight)

Subject: Thought this might help [Company Name]

Hi [First Name],

I came across this recent article/report on [topic relevant to their pain point] and thought you might find it useful: [Link].

Let me know if you want to chat about how this ties to your proposal.

Best,
[Your Name]

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These templates cover common situations but remember: your follow-ups work best when they feel personalized and authentic.

What to Do When There’s No Response

It’s frustrating when prospects go silent after a proposal. But silence doesn’t always mean a “no.” Here’s how to handle it smartly:

1. Double-Check Your Proposal

Before sending more emails, make sure the proposal fits what they need. Sometimes it’s too complex or missing something they care about.

2. Mix Up How You Reach Out

Don’t just rely on email. Try calling, sending a LinkedIn message, or even a quick SMS (if it fits your relationship). Sometimes they just miss your email.

A simple LinkedIn note can feel less pushy and get their attention without filling up their inbox.

3. Space Out Your Follow-Ups

Don’t spam. Wait 3-7 days between messages depending on urgency.

Each follow-up should add something new — a question, insight, or helpful resource. Don’t just resend the same note.

4. Acknowledge Their Situation

Show empathy:

“I get that you’re probably busy with other priorities right now.”
“Just wanted to check this still makes sense for you.”

This makes you sound human instead of robotic.

5. Use Data to Fine-tune Your Approach

If you use sales tools like Salesforce or Outreach.io, look at which emails got opened or clicked. Adjust your messaging and timing based on that info.

6. Know When to Step Back

Set a clear limit (3-5 follow-ups). If you get zero response after that, stop chasing. Mark them inactive and revisit later. Respecting their time keeps your reputation solid.

7. Keep Getting Better

Ask your team for feedback or try different tones and content. Look at open and reply rates and tweak over time.

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A quick story: A founder I worked with reduced pipeline drop-offs by 25% just by setting a strict four-follow-up rule. After that, she took a break on that prospect for six months before trying again. It kept things professional and saved energy.

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By handling no response thoughtfully, you keep doors open and stay professional—even when it feels like a dead end.

Wrapping Up

Following up post-proposal isn’t about bugging someone—it’s about keeping your offer fresh, building trust, and moving the deal forward. Use clear, personal subject lines, keep your message focused on value, and space your emails so you don’t annoy anyone.

If they don’t reply, try different channels and show you get their busy schedule. Know when to pause and come back later. Stick to good email etiquette and proven strategies—they help you close more deals and keep your relationships healthy.

For sales leaders, founders, and SDRs, this follow-up stuff isn’t optional. It’s essential.

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Ready to boost your follow-ups? Start by customizing the templates here to fit your style and prospects. Track what works and change what doesn’t. It’s a game changer.

Need help building a follow-up sequence or training your team? Reach out. Thoughtful, steady follow-ups change outcomes.

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About the Author

Urvashi Patel is a sales enablement strategist with over a decade helping B2B teams sharpen their proposal and follow-up process. She focuses on practical, data-backed sales tactics grounded in real-world buyer behavior.

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