Follow-Up Communication Tips

Excellent tips here illustrating how a subtle change in tone can have a massive influence upon how your message is received. 1) Acknowledge Delays with Gratitude "Sorry for the late reply…" "Thank you for your patience." 2) Respond Thoughtfully, Not Reactively "This is wrong." "I see your point. Have you considered [trying alternative]?" "Thank you for sharing this—I appreciate your insights." 3) Use Subject Lines That Get to the Point "Update" "Project X: Status Update & Next Steps" 4) Set the Tone with Your First Line "Hey, quick question…" "Hi [Name], I appreciate you. I wanted to ask about…" 5) Show Appreciation, Not Acknowledgment "Noted." "Thank you for sharing this—I appreciate your insights." 6) Frame Feedback Positively "This isn’t good enough." "This is a great start. Let’s refine [specific area] further." 7) Lead with Confidence "Maybe you could take a look…" "We need [specific task] completed by [specific date]." 8) Clarify Priorities Instead of Overloading "We need to do this ASAP!" "Let’s prioritize [specific task] first to meet our deadline." 9) Make Requests Easy to Process "Can you take a look at this?" "Can you review this and share your feedback by [date]?" 10) Be Clear About Next Steps "Let’s figure it out later." "Next steps: I’ll handle X, and you confirm Y by [deadline]." 11) Follow Up with Purpose, Not Pressure "Just checking in again!" "I wanted to follow up on this. Do you need any additional details from me?" 12) Avoid Passive-Aggressive Language "As I mentioned before…" "Just bringing this back in case it got missed."

Found this 1980 ad about writing clearly. 65 years later, it's still the best writing advice I've ever seen: 1) Know exactly what you want to say before you start Most people start writing and figure it out as they go. That's why most writing sucks. Thompson says outline first, write second. Revolutionary concept, apparently. 2) Start where your readers are, not where you are Don't assume people know what you know. Meet them at their level of understanding, then bring them along. Most "experts" write for other experts and wonder why nobody gets it. 3) Use familiar word combinations Thompson's example: A scientist wrote "The biota exhibited a one hundred percent mortality response." Translation: "All the fish died." Stop trying to sound smart. Start trying to be clear. 4) Arrange your points logically Put the most important stuff first. Then the next most important. Then the least important. Seems obvious, but most people do it backwards. 5) Use "first-degree" words Thompson says some words bring immediate images to mind. Others need to be "translated" through first-degree words before you see them. "Precipitation" => "Rain" "Utilize" => "Use" "Facilitate" => "Help" 6) Cut the jargon Thompson warns against words and phrases "known only to people with specific knowledge or interests." If your mom wouldn't understand it, rewrite it. 7) Think like your reader, not like yourself Thompson asks: "Do they detract from clarity?" Most writers ask: "Do I sound professional?" Wrong question. TAKEAWAY: This ad is from 1960. The internet didn't exist. Social media wasn't even a concept. But the principles of clear communication haven't changed. Most people still can't write clearly because they're trying to impress instead of express.

A few words nearly cost me a deal. I thought I was being polite. Friendly. Respectful of their time. But what I said came across as vague, uncertain—and maybe even a little desperate. I had emailed a prospect with: “Just checking in to see if you had any thoughts…” Nothing. No reply. Later, on a call, they told me: “We weren’t quite sure what you were asking for—it felt more like a gentle nudge than a clear next step. In the meantime, we connected with another partner.” That moment stuck with me and changed everything. Since then, I’ve become much more intentional about the language I use and how even small changes can have a big impact. Am I perfect? Definitely not. But I’ve learned that the right words can shift how we’re perceived and how effectively we connect. Here are a few common phrases that may be quietly working against us—and what to say instead: 🔴 “Just checking in / Circling back…” ✅ Try: “I wanted to follow up with something that might support what you're working on.” 💬 Example: “You mentioned [pain point]—I found [insight/case study] that might help as you navigate [challenge].” 💡 Why it works: You’re bringing something to the table—not just asking for attention. 🔴 “Would you be open to…?” ✅ Try: “Could I ask for your help with…?” 💬 Example: “Could I ask for your help in connecting with a few of your peers in other divisions?” 💡 Why it works: It’s confident, respectful, and moves the conversation forward. 🔴 “Feel free to…” ✅ Try: “Here’s my availability—let’s find a time that works for you.” 💬 Example: “Would next Tuesday or Thursday work for a quick touch base?” 💡 Why it works: You’re making it easier to say yes—and showing you're serious. These changes are subtle—but powerful. Words matter. In sales, they can build trust… or create distance. The good news? With a few thoughtful swaps, you can shift from chasing to leading. Ring my bell 🔔 to make sure you see my posts

As a junior lawyer, I confused ‘being responsive’ with ‘being available 24/7’. After some tough lessons, here’s what supervisors actually expect – and the actions you can take to demonstrate responsiveness. 1️⃣ Show you haven’t missed a task   Your team shouldn’t wonder if you’ve seen a request. For example, a simple acknowledgment (“Thanks, I’ll work on this in the afternoon to meet your deadline.”) within 15-30 minutes of receiving an emailed task is reassuring. It also helps your supervisors catch the few times you may have actually missed a request.   2️⃣ Communicate proactively   Giving short updates on tasks is appreciated. If a task takes more than a few hours, send a short message (“Quick update, I’ve reviewed the first half of the documents and am still on track to get you a draft by tomorrow.”)   3️⃣ After-hours communication   Unless there are clear ‘high-response’ periods (e.g. closing a deal), most teams wouldn’t expect you to immediately work on tasks when they’re received after-hours. But communication is appreciated, e.g. letting them know of upcoming unavailability (“just a heads up, I have a function tomorrow night so won’t be able to check my phone after 6pm”) or sending a quick acknowledgment when received or first thing in the morning (“thanks, I’ll work on this [tomorrow / during the afternoon]”).   4️⃣ Apply this to client communications   Being responsive to client emails is very helpful for busy supervisors. Check if this is something that your team is happy for you to do, but junior lawyers are often the best person to handle the ‘peace of mind emails’ to clients (“Thank you – we confirm receipt.”) and start project managing tasks internally (“Hi Jane – I can work on this and send you a first draft of the contract requested by [client] by [tomorrow afternoon] if you’d like. If so, could we please have a quick chat before I begin? I can find a time in your calendar.”) What does responsiveness mean to you? Anything else junior lawyers can do to demonstrate this? ----- Btw, if you're a junior lawyer looking for practical career advice - check out the free how-to guides on my website. You can also stay updated by sending a connection / follow. #lawyers #lawfirms #legalprofession #lawstudents

Most reps think they’re “doing outbound.” But their idea of a sequence is 6 emails, zero value, and a few sad bump messages. That’s not prospecting. That’s praying. Meanwhile, my clients are booking meetings with CROs at Fortune 500s — and here’s the sequence they use (10 touchpoints, built to convert): If your pipeline sucks, your sequence probably does too. Most reps don’t get ignored because they’re bad at writing emails. They get ignored because they rely on one channel. Because they give up after 2 touches. Because they confuse “checking in” with “creating urgency.” Here’s how high-performing reps actually break through: 1. The structure: 10 touchpoints across 20 days - 6 emails - 3 phone calls - 1 video on LinkedIn Every message with a purpose. Every channel working together. 2. The content: Stop bumping. Start teaching. Most sequences are noise. They repeat the same CTA (“just checking in!”), offer no insight, and get deleted by day 2. Instead, think in layers: Email 1 = POV tailored to the account Email 2 = Specific ways you help teams like theirs Email 3 = Case study or customer story Email 4 = ROI data, benchmarked Email 5 = Industry whitepaper or third-party research Email 6 = Product demo or experience preview Every email adds value. Even if they never reply, you become unignorable. 3. Phone still works. If you use it right. Don’t cold call. Warm call — immediately after the email drops. Reference your message. Be human. Don’t script. 4. Use LinkedIn like a human Day 1: Send a connection request (no note) Day 4: DM them after they connect Day 14: Drop a short video — selfie style, natural, no script This part matters most. Executives ignore cold emails but they watch DMs that feel real. 5. Automate the follow-up. Never the personalization. Yes, you can load this into Outreach or Salesloft. But if your content sucks, it doesn’t matter. Write once. Reuse the assets. Track opens. Follow up religiously. Be the rep who doesn’t disappear after 2 tries. I’ve helped reps use this exact sequence to book meetings with CROs at F500s. If you want coaching on how to build yours — the right structure, the right messaging, the right mindset — send me a DM. REMEMBER: Most reps fail not because they stop too late. But because they stop too soon. Build a real sequence. Say something worth hearing. And don’t quit at touch #3. This is the way. Be the 1%. Book the meeting.

Amir’s 10 Unwritten Rules of Engagement – How to Actually Get a Response Every day, people reach out for advice, connections, or opportunities. Some requests stand out. Others – they disappear into the void. Why? Based on my observations and data, here is what separates a quality request from an ignored one and how you maximize your chances of getting an answer: 1️⃣ Spelling and grammar. Spell their name correctly. And don’t have any spelling or grammar errors in your note. If you can’t take five seconds to check, why should they take five minutes to reply? 2️⃣ Don’t send a copy-paste form letter. People can smell it a mile away. If it looks like spam, it gets treated like spam. 3️⃣ Show basic courtesy – and don’t just disappear after getting what you need. A little warmth goes a long way. A cold “Can you refer me?” isn’t it. And if someone helps you, keep them posted on how it went. Relationships matter. 4️⃣ Make it easy for them to say yes. The less effort required, the more likely they’ll help. Be specific, clear, and to the point. 5️⃣ Get to the point, do your homework, and don’t make them do the work. Don’t write a novel – most people won’t read it. If you’re asking for a referral, attach your resume. If you need advice, ask a clear, direct question. If Google can answer it, don’t ask them. 6️⃣ Don’t get upset if they can’t help – a ‘no’ doesn’t mean forever. A request is not a demand. No one owes you a response. Handle rejection well, and doors may open later. It's a small industry - you can't imagine the damage that one sharp note can do. 7️⃣ No guilt trips – and limit desperation. I deeply empathize, but playing up how tough your situation is – how many months of money you have left, how desperate you are – does not work in professional outreach. Most people, for good, bad, or in-between, focus on whether they can help, not the full context behind your need. Keep things short and professional – it gives you the best chance of getting a response. 8️⃣ Offer something in return – and be memorable for the right reasons. A thank-you costs nothing but means everything. If they don’t reply today, leave an impression that makes them want to help you later. 9️⃣ Know who you’re asking. If you’re cold messaging, at least show you know why they’re the right person to ask. This is why I always start with safer, more junior reach outs first. Think like a BD and map an organization. 🔟 Follow up – but don’t badger. One polite follow-up? Sure. Three messages in a row? No.

It's time to rethink everything you thought you knew about customer service..... The real test begins after the purchase. If keeping the post-purchase experience seamless isn’t a priority for brands, they’re already losing customers. Returns Exchanges Even issues beyond the exchange period. How brands handle these moments determines whether customers stay or leave. During a conversation about his book Serve, Nagesh B S shared a story from the early days of Shoppers Stop. A customer bought a silk kurta, the inner label mentioned “dry-clean-only”instruction. However, the customer, out of habit, gave it a machine wash. The result - a ruined kurta! The customer, upset with the result for a fairly expensive kurta, went to the store to raise a complaint for it. Technically, the store wasn’t obligated to replace it. But the store manager then chose to exchange it anyway, even though it was clearly the result of customer mishandling. Why? Because Shoppers Stop was a young brand trying to differentiate itself through customer-centricity. And in the early days, every interaction mattered. An unhappy customer could easily spread negative word-of-mouth, damaging the brand’s reputation before it even had a chance to grow. The story does not end here. There was an unexpected outcome. The customer turned out to be the Admin Head of a mid-sized company. Impressed by the gesture, he became a loyal buyer of Shoppers Stop’s gift cards, driving significant business to the store. Too many brands obsess over acquisition while ignoring retention. But real loyalty isn’t built only during the sale, it’s built after it. A great post-purchase experience isn’t about policies, it’s about people. Brands that go beyond transactions and focus on relationships win in the long run. Because at the end of the day, customers may forget the product, but they’ll always remember how a brand treated them. Which brand has surprised you with an exceptional post-purchase experience? Would love to hear your stories! #marketing #postpurchase #customerexperience #startups #retail

7 Follow-Ups To Send When You Hear Nothing (Use These To Reduce Ghosting By 5x) 1. After You Apply (48–72 Hours)  A short, focused note to the recruiter or hiring manager expressing why you think you're a fit (with measurable results) can boost your application views. For example:  “Hi [Name], I just applied for the [role] at [Company]. In my previous role, we [wins from previous role that apply to JD – e.g., “boosted free-to-paid rates by 15% through targeted CRM campaigns”]. I'm excited to bring similar results to [Company].” 2. After a Recruiter Screen (3–4 Business Days)  Silence here is usually bandwidth, not rejection.  Nudge with a value tied to what they said. For example:  “Hi [Name], great chatting on [Date]! You mentioned [team goal]. I drafted 3 ideas to move it: [Idea 1/2/3]. Is [day/time] good to discuss round two?” 3. After a Hiring-Manager Interview (5–7 Days)  Summarize your approach and expected impact so they can react fast. Then, invite specific feedback. Here's how:  “Hi [Name], I sent the assignment on [Date]. My approach aims to move [KPI] from [baseline] → [target] in [timeframe]. I’d value your feedback and next steps!” 4. After You Submit a Take-Home (~72 Hours)  You don't need “Lead” or “Head” in your job title to prove leadership.  You can showcase initiative by telling a story that demonstrates initiative. For example:  “When our trial churn spiked, I brought Customer Success and Product Management together and shared the data. We piloted day-three reminder emails and churn dropped 19%.” 5. After A Referral Or Warm Intro (48–72 Hours)  Referrals work best when you name the connector and show relevance fast. Here's how you can reach out:  “Hi [Name], [Referrer] suggested I reach out about [Role]. In my past role at [Company], I [result + metric] with [tool/industry]. Could we book 15 min to see if my background fits?” 6. After Final Round (~1 Week)  Ask for decision timing and the criteria they’re weighing.  Then, offer to close gaps. Here's a template:  “Hi [Name], thanks again for the final round on [Date]. Can I ask what the decision timeline is and what criteria you are weighing for the offer? I’m happy to share anything else you need!” 7. The Polite “Breakup” (After 2–3 Nudges, No Reply)  Protect your time and keep the relationship warm.  Closing the loop often triggers a response. Leave the door open. Here's how:  “Hi [Name], I don’t want to crowd your inbox. If the process paused or moved on, no worries. Please let me know, and I’ll close the loop. If you’re still interested, I’m excited to continue.” Ready To Turn Crickets Into Offers? 🔄 Jared couldn’t get traction switching fields until we refined his follow-up and positioning strategy. 👉 Want the script + timing for each step? Grab a free 30-min Clarity Call: https://lnkd.in/gdysHr-r

A lot of the value of attending or speaking at a conference doesn’t come from being there. It comes from what you do afterwards. How many times have you come back from a conference or event and thought, “I should’ve done more to maximize that experience”? Not just attending the sessions or showing up at the networking receptions, but turning it into something meaningful for your visibility, your relationships and your business development efforts. Me too 🙋🏼♀️ It’s easy to get caught up in our busy lives, especially after returning from a conference and then move on to the next thing without following up. What you proactively do after the event is what can turn conversations into relationships and visibility into opportunity. Here are some ways to make the most of attending your next conference: ✔️ Prioritize the people you met and follow up with context on LinkedIn or by email, referencing your conversation and suggesting a clear next step ✔️ Follow up with organizers to share feedback and express interest in speaking or getting involved in future programming ✔️ Turn your conference notes into key takeaways and share them as content (LinkedIn post, blog post or short video) connected to your work, your clients or what you’re seeing in the market ✔️ Host your own webinar to recap key themes and extend the conversation ✔️ Interview speakers or attendees whose perspectives stood out and use that content in a webinar, blog post or on social media ✔️ Host an internal recap to share key insights and connect them to your team’s work ✔️ Turn questions or conversations from the event into content or targeted outreach ✔️ Share insights from the event in an email newsletter ✔️ Add relevant new contacts to your email list so you can stay visible with them ✔️ Create a simple system to stay in touch with the people who matter most ✔️ Review the attendee list and reach out to people you didn’t meet ✔️ Follow up with speakers you admired, even if you didn’t connect in person ✔️ Identify one trend or theme you kept hearing across conversations and proactively share that perspective with clients or colleagues You already put in the time and energy to be there. This is how you carry that momentum forward. Which of these ideas resonated most with you? #LegalMarketing #ClientDevelopment #LinkedInTips #BusinessDevelopment #PersonalBrandingTips

One thing 99% of candidates never do after their interview and it costs them the offer every time… They never send a real, impactful follow-up. My student, a complete fresher, was competing against candidates with more experience. After weeks of rejections and silence, he got his YES from a top MNC. Because he did this ONE thing 99% ignore: he sent a follow-up message that showed genuine interest, real value, and absolute intent. Why does this matter? According to LinkedIn’s research, candidates who follow up within 24 hours are 50% more likely to receive a positive response. But almost no one does it well. 👉 Here’s the exact type of follow-up I teach my students to send (that actually works): Subject: Thank you for the opportunity Hi [Interviewer’s Name], Thank you for meeting with me today. Our discussion about [specific project, e.g., Infosys’ new fintech initiatives] made me even more excited about the possibility of joining your team. I wanted to add a quick thought: Given my experience leading my college’s coding club and developing a payments app for over 2,000 users, I believe I can quickly add value to [Company]’s [specific goal or project]. If there are any further steps I can complete or details I can provide, please let me know. Looking forward to the next steps! Best, [Your Name] Why did this work? 1️⃣ It’s specific (mentions a company project or problem). 2️⃣ It ties the candidate’s unique value directly to the company. 3️⃣ It’s proactive and genuine, not “just checking in.” The post-interview silence is where most opportunities die. But also where a single message can reopen the door. 💡 My tips for you: ➡️ Always send a tailored follow-up within 24 hours. ➡ Reference the interview and your own strengths — show you remember, you care, you fit. ➡ Keep it short, real, and focused on THEM (not just you). If you want to turn interviews into offers, don’t just prepare for the questions. Own the moments after you leave the room. #interview #interviewtips #interviewpreparation #careergrowth