Follow Up on All Outstanding Networking Outreach
One follow-up sent 10 days after an initial message significantly increases your response rate. Most people send one message and give up when they do not hear back. Sending one professional follow-up is entirely appropriate and often converts a non-response into a real conversation.
One follow-up sent 10 days after an initial message significantly increases your response rate. Most people send one message and give up when they do not hear back. Sending one professional follow-up is entirely appropriate and often converts a non-response into a real conversation.
Step by Step
Open your tracker and find all outreach sent 10 or more days ago with no response
Send a brief follow-up to each one Template: "Hi [Name], I wanted to follow up on my message from [approximate date]. I completely understand if the timing has not worked out. I remain very interested in connecting if an opportunity comes up. Thank you either way."
Mark anyone who still does not respond as closed Do not contact the same person more than twice. Move your energy toward people who are responsive.
Send thank you messages to anyone you have spoken with recently If you completed any informational interviews or networking calls in the past two weeks and have not sent a follow-up thank you, do it today. Reference something specific they said.
Tips for success
A specific thank you that references something from the conversation is far more memorable than a generic one. "Thank you for your time" is forgettable. "Thank you for your advice about focusing on smaller companies first. I have already started adjusting my approach and it is making a difference" is memorable.
Keep all follow-ups warm, brief, and positive. Never express frustration at a slow response.