Table of Contents
- Introduction to Follow-Up Sales Emails
- Importance of Follow-Up Sales Emails
- Crafting an Effective Follow-Up Sales Email
- 1. Win Attention Fast
- 2. Reference Previous Contact
- 3. Add Fresh Value or Info
- 4. Include a Straightforward Call to Action (CTA)
- 5. Keep It Short and Courteous
- Best Practices for Follow-Up Sales Emails
- Stay Persistent but Patient
- Personalization is Power
- Reach Across Multiple Channels
- Differentiate Your Prospects
- Test, Tweak, and Track
- Respect Data Privacy
- Examples of Successful Follow-Up Sales Emails
- Example 1: The Gentle Nudge
- Example 2: Offer New Value
- Example 3: Seek Feedback
- Example 4: The Farewell Email
- Conclusion
Getting no response after sending a sales email? Yeah, it’s frustrating. You don’t want to come off as pesky, yet losing a potential deal is never fun. That’s why having a solid follow-up email ready to go when your initial attempt goes ignored is essential. Whether you’re a sales leader, a B2B founder, or an enthusiastic SDR, knowing how to master this art can lead to more conversations and more deals closed.
This article aims to arm you with practical advice, proven scripts, and expert know-how to craft the kind of follow-up sales emails that actually get attention — without sounding pushy or desperate.
Introduction to Follow-Up Sales Emails
So, what’s the deal with follow-up sales emails when no one’s answering your initial message? Well, this is your golden opportunity to try and reconnect with a prospect who didn’t bite the first time. It’s a big part of the sales game because landing deals often takes more than just a single shot. InsideSales.com threw some stats our way, pointing out it takes about 8 nudges to get a prospect to respond.
Thinking you can just shoot one email and seal the deal? Yeah, think again. Follow-up emails give you the chance to jog their memory about your offer, toss in some new info, or slide in a useful resource. The main aim here is starting a real conversation that can steer the sale forward.
Importance of Follow-Up Sales Emails
Why do so many folks in sales bomb on follow-ups? According to HubSpot, a whopping 44% of salespeople call it quits after just one follow-up. That’s leaving a ton of potential on the table. Persistent yet polite follow-ups can really up your odds of making a connection.
Here’s why they’re crucial:
- Boost Awareness and Recall: One email might miss the mark, but giving a prospect multiple nudges keeps you on their radar.
- Demonstrate Professionalism and Interest: It shows you mean business about their attention.
- Offer New Value: Every follow-up is a chance to tackle objections or share something enlightening.
- Adapt and Personalize: Tailor follow-up emails based on how the prospect reacts or behaves.
In my own experience, our team saw our response rates double just by using a 4-step follow-up sequence customized to what the prospects needed. We ditched dull templates in favor of personalized, value-packed emails. The big lesson? Use follow-up sales emails as more than just reminders—make them a chance to engage.
Crafting an Effective Follow-Up Sales Email
Creating a solid follow-up email? It’s an art. Here’s a plain and straightforward way to tackle it:
1. Win Attention Fast
Nail the subject line and opening sentence. Make them short and sweet. Add a dash of personal touch like the prospect’s name or their latest achievement. Examples:
- “A quick question about [Company Name]”
- “Following up on our earlier chat”
Skip the clickbait or vague titles.
2. Reference Previous Contact
Gently remind them about your past email or call to set the stage. Skip any frustrated tone and keep it to the point.
“I wanted to loop back to the note I sent earlier regarding how our tool can tweak your sales flow.”
3. Add Fresh Value or Info
Give them something new to chew on—a fresh case study, an insightful industry stat, or maybe a neat resource. For instance:
“Since I last pinged you, we assisted a client in your field in shortening their sales cycle by 30%. Figured you’d find that intriguing.”
4. Include a Straightforward Call to Action (CTA)
Be clear about what you want next: a quick call, some feedback, or a test drive of a demo. Keep it chill:
“Do you have 10 minutes for a call next week to run through your goals?”
5. Keep It Short and Courteous
Time is valuable, so keep it snappy. Maintain a friendly yet professional vibe, avoid sounding desperate.
Best Practices for Follow-Up Sales Emails
Amp up success rates by sticking to these tried-and-true methods with follow-up sales emails:
Stay Persistent but Patient
Don’t sweat it if immediate replies don’t roll in. Plan for a series of 3 to 5 emails spaced 3 to 5 business days apart. If they flat-out say no, or if silence continues, it’s cool to stop.
Personalization is Power
Draw on cues from LinkedIn updates, company news, or prior interactions to make your emails feel tailor-made. Personalized emails lift open rates and build rapport.
Reach Across Multiple Channels
Pair your email pursuits with LinkedIn messages, calls, or social posts to increase touchpoints without pestering.
Differentiate Your Prospects
Recognize not all prospects are alike. Adjust your approach and rhythm based on where a lead originated, what stage a deal is at, or how engaged they are.
Test, Tweak, and Track
Keep a keen eye on open, reply, and conversion rates for your emails. Play with A/B testing on subject lines and CTAs to see what flies best.
Respect Data Privacy
Play by the rules of GDPR, CAN-SPAM, and similar regulations. Always offer opt-out options and handle personal data with care.
Examples of Successful Follow-Up Sales Emails
Take inspiration from these scripts to whip up your own follow-up sales email when silence is all you’re getting:
Example 1: The Gentle Nudge
Subject: Just checking in, [First Name]
Hi [First Name],
I wanted to swing back and touch base on last week’s email. Pretty sure [Your Company/Product] can give [Prospect’s Company] a real boost with [specific benefit].
Think you’d be up for a quick chat to explore if it fits?
Eager for your thoughts.
Best,
[Your Name]
Example 2: Offer New Value
Subject: A recent triumph in [Prospect’s Industry]
Hi [First Name],
Since my last message, we’ve helped [Similar Company] amp up their sales efficiency by 25% over just a few months. Figured you’d find it relevant as you look to scale.
Interested? I’m happy to dive into more details or jump on a quick call.
Cheers,
[Your Name]
Example 3: Seek Feedback
Subject: Quick question, [First Name]
Hi [First Name],
Following up to see if you checked out my previous email. If it’s not the right time, or it’s missing the mark, a quick note back would help me realign with your priorities.
Thanks for your consideration!
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
Example 4: The Farewell Email
Subject: Should I pack up your file?
Hi [First Name],
Silence usually means priorities shifted, right? No biggie if now’s not the moment—I can circle back down the line.
But if there’s interest in continuing, just let me know.
Appreciate it,
[Your Name]
Conclusion
A well-crafted follow-up sales email after getting no reply can transform silent prospects into eager business opportunities. Keep this in mind: persistence, personalization, and clear value make a big difference. Use data-driven strategies, test what clicks, and always remain respectful and professional.
For B2B leaders and SDRs out there, remember the goal is not just to ping reminders, but to send emails that connect and genuinely help. Get it right, and these follow-ups can build bonds that lead to trust and more signed deals.
Ready to up your follow-up sales email game? Dive into crafting your next email sequence with these scripts and insights. Track what works, adjust your game plan, and watch your sales pipeline fill up with meaningful prospects.
If you’re on the hunt for tailored sales enablement guides or want a hand designing killer email templates, just reach out. Let’s make your sales communication smarter and more effective than ever before.
Urvashi Patel is a seasoned sales enablement strategist with 8+ years of experience collaborating with B2B sales teams to refine outreach with innovative ideas and evidence-backed methods, growing pipeline and revenues.
FAQ
It's an email you send to prospects who didn’t respond to your initial sales pitch, aiming to re-engage and nurture the lead.
A well-thought-out follow-up email reminds prospects about your offer, adds value, and demonstrates committed persistence without being annoying, increasing the likelihood of a response.
Sending 3 to 5 follow-up emails spaced across several days is effective. Beyond this, response rates may drop, and it might come off as intrusive.
Steer clear of generic messages, overly aggressive wording, lengthy emails, and failing to personalize your content according to the prospect’s interests.
Yes, there are tools like Outreach, SalesLoft, and HubSpot, which automate sequences while allowing for customization for improved personalization.