Follow-up Procedures

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep in touch with a mentor or follow up after a networking call, this might be the only guide you'll ever need. 👇🏾 One of the most common questions I get is, "How should I follow up after a networking call?" Here's the playbook: 1️⃣ Say "Thank You" This is a non-negotiable. Pro tip? Do it fast, have some class, don't make asks. ✨ Translation? ↳ Same day, ideally within 60 minutes. ↳ Be specific, concise, and genuine. ↳ Don't ask any questions or for any favors. ↳ Bonus: Use a loom video to make it personal and unforgettable. (it's the "handwritten card" of 2025). 2️⃣ Close the Loop Have you heard of the 99/1 phenomenon? ↳ 99% of the time you have a coffee chat, the other person will mention a book, article, person, or resource to leverage. ↳ Only 1% will do something with this info. 💡 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 1% 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆. 3️⃣ Add Value You can: ↳ Find out what lights them up and help them accelerate toward it ↳ Find out what keeps them up at night and present a solution to it ↳ Amplify their work ↳ Celebrate their milestones ↳ Aggregate existing data or create new data Ultimately, the secret here is no secret at all. Offering real value demonstrates character and builds relational capital. 💰 And you need to have something in the bank before you make a withdrawal. 4️⃣ Give A (Non-Invasive) Update People 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 to see stories of growth. But people 𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬 to be a part of someone else's growth story. So, what can you do? Share a quick update on your recent wins or progress. Pro tip: ↳ Keep it relevant and concise. ↳ Tie it back to their investment in you, if relevant. 5️⃣ Make An Ask This comes last for a reason. ↳ Only make an ask after you’ve provided value. ↳ Timing and reciprocity are everything. ↳ When you're done, you're back to #1. Rinse and repeat. ---- Great follow-ups aren’t about pestering—they’re about adding value, showing you care, and staying unforgettable. Master these tactics and watch your relationships transform, forever. 🌱 What’s your favorite follow-up move that I forgot? Drop it below! 👇🏾 ---------------- ♻️ Repost to finally give the blueprint to active job seekers and networkers in your community! 🔔 Follow 🔥 Chauncey Nartey, SHRM-SCP, ACC to stay on the cutting edge of modern career wisdom.

The Follow-up Dance Everyone wants the contract. Few master the follow-up. Here's what most do: Send the proposal. Wait three days. Send "Just checking in..." Repeat until ghosted. It's the dance of desperation, and your prospect can hear the music. But what if we've got it backwards? McDonald's follows up with "want fries with that?" Amazon follows up with "others also bought..." But you? You're following up with "did you see my proposal?" See the difference? One adds value. The other adds pressure. Your proposal isn't sitting unopened because they forgot about it. It's sitting unopened because you haven't given them a reason to open it. The real follow-up isn't about the contract at all. It's about continuing to be useful. To be interesting. To be worth paying attention to. Share an insight about their industry. Point out a competitor's misstep. Send an article that makes them think. Because the best follow-up isn't a follow-up at all. It's leadership. Formula for Contract Follow-Up: 1. Acknowledge the pain of change: Empathize with the challenges or effort involved. 2. Contextualize the cost of inaction (COI): Connect the delay to tangible consequences, framed in the present. 3. Reframe the obstacle: Make the “enemy” external (e.g., a roadblock, not them). 4. Invite honesty: Create a safe space to hear the real status, including bad news. 3 Messaging Formats 1. Concise & Direct Subject: Are we hitting a roadblock? Hi [Name], You’ve been instrumental in getting this proposal to the finish line, and I truly appreciate the effort. I know [specific COI, e.g., “every week of delay keeps X revenue off the table”]. Has something unexpected come up that’s holding back the final signature? I’d rather know where we stand so we can adapt as needed. Let me know. [Your Name] 2. Empathetic & Collaborative Subject: Checking in on the proposal Hi [Name], I know this process isn’t easy—you’ve been a champion working through the details, and I appreciate it. That said, we’re seeing [specific COI, e.g., “the impact of [X issue] creeping into next quarter”]. Is there an unexpected roadblock we need to address together to move things forward? Or has something else shifted? Happy to adjust if needed—just let me know where we stand. Best, [Your Name] 3. Narrative & Storytelling Subject: Getting ahead of status quo losses Hi [Name], I can imagine how grueling contract reviews can be—it's one of the least glamorous but most critical steps. It got me thinking about [specific COI, e.g., “how $2M slipped through the cracks last year due to the status quo”]. Have we run into an unexpected roadblock that might risk a similar outcome this time around? It’s okay if we’re stuck—I just want to make sure we can keep the momentum toward solving [specific pain point or goal]. [Your Name] ___________ When was the last time your follow-up made someone smarter?

"Let me know if you have any questions." "Happy to discuss further." "Looking forward to your thoughts." Every time you end a follow-up with these wimpy closes, you're asking busy executives to do work they won't do. They're not going to think of questions. They're not going to schedule a follow-up call. They're not going to send you their thoughts. They're going to delete your email and move on with their actual job. The fix is making the next step so easy that a drunk executive could do it. Instead of "let me know if you have questions," embed your calendar link directly in the email. One click to book time. Instead of "happy to discuss further," Create a simple yes/no decision box: "Ready to see the ROI calculation? Yes | No" Instead of hoping they'll respond with their availability, give them three specific time slots to choose from. The most powerful follow-up technique? Use their exact words from your call. When Jessica said she's "bleeding money on software licenses," don't paraphrase it. Quote it exactly. Reference her Thursday board meeting. Add one insight she didn't know. There's nothing more impossible to ignore than hearing your own words reflected back with new value attached. Your generic templates sound like every other vendor they're ghosting. But your personalized follow-ups that reference specific moments from your conversation get responses. Stop making prospects do the work of figuring out next steps. Start making it obvious how they move forward. Every follow-up is life or death for your deal. Most AEs are committing suicide with their own emails. Don’t be like most AEs.

I watched a talented professional send 127 follow-up emails after interviews. Got replies from 3 companies. 2.3% response rate. Then she showed me what she was writing. I immediately knew why recruiters ignored her. Here's the truth about follow-ups: Most people remind recruiters they're desperate. Not that they're valuable. The typical follow-up: "Just checking in on my application..." "Any updates on the timeline?" Translation: "Please don't forget I exist." Recruiters read anxiety, not confidence. After years of coaching professionals, I've noticed: The follow-ups that get responses don't ASK for updates. They DELIVER value. Stop following up on YOUR need. Start following up with THEIR solution. Think: → What problem did they mention? → What insight can I share? → How can I make their decision easier? One client rewrote her follow-up: Instead of: "Any updates on the position?" She wrote "Hi [HR Manager Name ], been thinking about the bandwidth challenge you mentioned. Found an approach that might help—similar to what I used before. Would love to share if useful. Recruiter replied within hours. She shifted from "remember me?" to "I'm already solving your problems." The difference between ignored and responded follow-ups? One reminds them you're waiting. The other reminds them why they need you. Your follow-up isn't about checking their timeline. It's about them seeing you as the solution they can't ignore. People who add value get calls back. People who add pressure get silence. Stop checking in. Start showing up as the answer. PS: For more such content subscribe to my newsletter. Check out my feature section.

Why Founders Fail at Follow-Up (And How to Fix It) You had a great meeting with an investor. You sent a quick "thanks" email. Then... silence. A week goes by. Then two. "Should I follow up? Is it too soon? Too late?" The momentum fades. The opportunity slips away. This is where countless founders fail, not in the pitch, but in the follow-up. The myth of the "one call close" is seductive, but wrong. Fundraising, hiring, and high-value sales are about building trust over time. Every interaction is a building block. Follow-up is the mortar that holds them together. A scattered follow-up signals you're overwhelmed and disorganized. A systematic follow-up signals you're ready for the big leagues. Build a system: 1. Immediate Capture: Log takeaways right after meetings 2. Clear Next Steps: Never leave without defining them 3. Cadence & Timing: Follow up within 24 hours, then strategically 4. Value in Every Touch: Share insights, not just "checking in" The most successful founders aren't the most brilliant. They're the most organized and persistent. Stop treating follow-up as a chore. Start treating it as a strategic advantage. #Founders #Startups #Sales #Fundraising #CRM #ExitClub  

You got the meeting. Congratulations. Now the real work begins. The high from a great first meeting is a familiar feeling. The conversation flowed, you connected on shared interests, and the potential for a significant gift felt within reach. But a week later, that energy often dissipates into uncertainty. That's because the most successful fundraisers know the first meeting isn't the finish line. It's the starting gun. The 90 days after that meeting are what separate a transformative gift from a dead end. It’s not about just "checking in." It's about a disciplined, value-driven cultivation plan. The 24-Hour Rule: Your follow-up email should be sent within 24 hours. It should thank them, briefly summarize what you heard, and confirm the next steps. This isn't just polite; it's professional. Go Beyond another "Meeting": Instead of asking for a second meeting, offer a custom engagement. An introduction to a board member with a shared background. A behind-the-scenes tour of a program they showed interest in. The 90-Day Cadence: Map out a series of high-value touchpoints. Think personalized impact reports, invitations to exclusive (small) events, or even a handwritten note referencing a topic from your conversation. One Head of Development I worked with secured a meeting with a retired tech executive. Her 24-hour follow-up was perfect. But she didn't stop there. Over the next two months, she introduced him via email to a program director who shared his passion for data, sent him a short, personalized video from a student in that program, and mailed him a copy of a book on philanthropy she had mentioned. She never asked for another meeting. He called her to proactively schedule one, and their conversation shifted from "if" he would give to "how" he would give. The first meeting gets their attention. The follow-up earns their trust. What's your most effective follow-up strategy after a great first meeting?

Most follow-ups fail for 1 reason They feel like pressure, not progress. So here’s a 7-Touch Multi-Channel Follow-Up Blueprint you can save and reuse 👇 The rule Every touch must do one of these: ✅ add value ✅ reduce confusion ✅ make replying easier If it’s just “checking in”… it’s noise. 1) Email (Initial Outreach) Goal: Start clear. Make it easy to say yes/no. Do this: 1 clear reason you’re writing 1 problem + 1 outcome 1 simple CTA (question) Example CTA: “Worth a quick 10-min chat next week?” Avoid: long background stories 5 asks in one email attachments on first touch sounding desperate (“Please respond”) 2) Email Bump Goal: Bring the thread back on top… politely. Do this: 1 line reminder add a tiny new detail keep it light Avoid: guilt trips (“Just following up again…”) sending daily nudges writing a whole new essay 3) LinkedIn View + Connect Goal: Warm your name before you message. Why it works: People reply more to names they recognize. Do this: view profile send a short connect note Avoid: connecting and pitching instantly “I’d love to add you to my network” (means nothing) 4) LinkedIn Message Goal: Start a conversation, not a pitch. Do this: 2–3 lines max reference your email/context ask a small question Avoid: giant paragraphs links + calendars + decks in the first DM sounding like a script 5) Call Goal: Create clarity fast. Why it works: A call shows seriousness, and you can qualify in 30 seconds. Do this: call once (maybe twice) at sensible times leave a calm voicemail Avoid: repeated calling (feels aggressive) calling with zero context pushing a meeting on the spot 6) Email “Proof Drop” Goal: Build trust + reduce risk. Why it works: People don’t ignore you because they hate you. They ignore you because they’re unsure. Do this: share one proof: result, case study, or quick win keep it short tie it to their world Avoid: bragging dumping a full deck making claims without specifics 7) Breakup Email Goal: Close the loop respectfully. Do this: give an easy yes/no offer an out keep it friendly Avoid: sarcasm passive-aggressive lines “I guess you’re not interested…” (pushes them away) Save this. Use it for your next 20 leads. Watch what changes.

Nobody talks about the slow death of pipeline from bad follow-up. Most pipelines don’t die from a “No.” It dies from silence.   From vague timelines. From dropped follow-ups. From reps who are “too busy” to re-engage.   You don’t lose deals in one big moment. You lose them in the cracks between meetings.   The rep who doesn’t send a recap. The AE who doesn’t ask for the next step. The SDR who thinks a second email is “too much.”   Here’s the reality:   Follow-up is the difference between a pipeline and a graveyard.   If you want to win more deals:   1️⃣ Send recaps within 12 hours; short, crisp, clear value. 2️⃣ Always confirm the next meeting on the call; never assume. 3️⃣ Build a multi-step follow-up sequence; not just a “circle back” email. 4️⃣ Add value every time you follow up; insight, resource, proof. 5️⃣ Track every follow-up like a stage, not an afterthought.   Bonus: Set a rule ➡️ no deal stays untouched for 48 hours.   Because if you don’t follow up… someone else will.   And they’ll be the ones who close. #sales #salesmanagement

I just reviewed a follow up email that made me want to delete my LinkedIn account. After an incredible discovery call where the rep: → Uncovered $500K in annual losses → Identified specific pain points → Built genuine rapport with the prospect He sent this follow up: "Hi John, following up on our conversation. Any thoughts on next steps?" I'm not joking. That was the entire email. This rep went from trusted advisor to desperate vendor in one sentence. Here's what he should have sent instead: "John, Based on our conversation about the $500K you're losing annually due to deployment delays, I've put together a brief overview of how we've helped similar companies reduce this impact by 80%. Given the scope of this challenge, when can we get your CFO involved to discuss the business case? Best regards, [Rep name]" The difference is night and day: ❌ Weak follow up: "Any thoughts on next steps?" ✅ Strong follow up: References specific problem + demonstrates value + advances the sale Your follow up emails should sell, not beg. Every touchpoint is an opportunity to: → Reinforce the problems you uncovered → Show how you solve them → Move the deal forward Stop wasting these golden opportunities with generic, desperate sounding messages. Use what you learned in discovery to craft follow-ups that advance the sale. Your prospects are drowning in "just checking in" emails. Be the one who stands out by referencing real business impact. — Reps! Here’s 5 simple follow up strategies to close seals faster and to minimize ghosting: https://lnkd.in/gJRJwzsN

Step-by-step: How I follow up without being annoying Following up is an art. Too much = pushy. Too little = forgotten. Here’s what I do: Day 1 → Send a short thank-you note with 1 relevant takeaway from the previous call. Day 3 → Share a resource (case study, blog, or insight) tied to what they mentioned. Day 7 → Ask a specific question that moves the convo forward. Day 14 → “Just checking in” doesn’t work. Instead, I use: “Has anything changed since we last spoke?” This sequence keeps me relevant without becoming white noise. Follow-ups aren’t spam if they add context and value.