Nobody likes being left on learn. When you’re ready for an e-mail reply and your inbox stays empty, it’s most likely time to ship a follow-up e-mail.
Right here’s a five-minute primer in formatting and phrasing your follow-up e-mail for max success, together with some samples you need to use.
3 tips for efficient follow-up emails
Whether or not you hope to shut a sale, get employed for a brand new job, or simply get Mike within the accounting division to ship over that dang report, these are some greatest practices for sending an efficient follow-up e-mail:
- Be variety and real. Being a jerk doesn’t get you very far, so strategy the dialog with kindness and authenticity. You’re extra more likely to get the response you need in case you preserve your cool and invite open communication. So don’t lose your mood or take an accusatory tone.
- Restate your ask. Keep away from imprecise nudges like “simply circling again on Tuesday’s e-mail” which might go away the recipient questioning what you imply. Simply restate your ask to avoid wasting the recipient from looking out earlier messages to search out the one in query.
- Be particular. The extra exact your ask is, the simpler it’s for the recipient to grasp your wants higher (and, hopefully) present it. For instance, asking for “some concepts for our product launch marketing campaign” is a fuzzy deliverable, whereas saying you want “5 concepts for sharing our new product on Instagram, delivered by Friday” clarifies the request, the aim, and the timeline.
4 key components of a follow-up e-mail
Now that we’ve lined the rules, let’s focus on formatting. Every follow-up e-mail ought to have 4 key components:
- Clear, concise topic line
- Pleasant greeting
- Restatement of the ask
- Optimistic signoff
Let’s have a look at the 4 key components in motion. We’ll use our ol’ buddy Mike within the accounting division for instance.
1. Use a transparent, concise topic line
Begin with a transparent, concise topic line.
“Following Up: Gross sales Report Due Tomorrow, Please.”
2. Begin with a pleasant greeting
Then, kick off the e-mail message with a pleasant greeting.
“Hey, Mike. How are you? Hope you loved the weekend.”
3. Restate your ask and be particular.
Subsequent, restate your ask and be particular.
“I’m following up concerning the month-to-month gross sales channel report. Have you ever had an opportunity to finish it and ship it?
I initially requested the report final Wednesday and I’ll want it no later than tomorrow, together with conversion percentages for every gross sales channel. The information is for our quarterly planning assembly later this week.
Hooked up is the advertising workforce’s report for cross-reference it. When you want any further knowledge factors, please let me know by the top of the day, and I’ll collect these for you. In any other case, I look ahead to seeing your report tomorrow.”
4. Log off, and voila—you’re carried out!
“Thanks for all of your assist and exhausting work, Mike.
Cheers, Chelsea”
That’s it—you’ve crafted a sort e-mail, restated your ask, and clarified precisely what you want inside a given timeline.
Now, let’s have a look at samples of another frequent follow-up emails.
Pattern follow-up e-mail to ship to a gross sales prospect
Writing gross sales emails could be robust. You need to present enthusiasm and fire up enthusiasm with out coming throughout as pushy.
When doable, reference any private connections or feedback the prospect made—this reveals you listened intently and paid consideration. Additionally, don’t be afraid to recommend additional actions to maintain the prospect transferring by the gross sales course of (bear in mind, specificity works wonders). However general, bear in mind to supply honest assist quite than specializing in simply closing the deal as shortly as doable.
Right here’s an instance of a brief follow-up e-mail despatched after a primary dialog with a prospect:
“Hello, Maya.
We met a couple of days in the past on the Chamber of Commerce occasion. I loved assembly you and listening to about a few of the development targets you’ve set for your online business!
As I discussed, I work with a couple of firms just like yours and could be completely satisfied to share some techniques which have labored nicely for my shoppers. Would you wish to schedule a time to speak subsequent week?
What day could be handy for you?
Regards, Cristina”
Pattern follow-up e-mail to ship after a job interview
Sending follow-up emails after a job interview is much less frequent lately however right here’s the factor: It might assist your possibilities, and it solely takes a minute—so why not ship it? Higher to ship the follow-up e-mail and know you probably did all you may to attempt to rating that job provide.
Just a few suggestions: Like whenever you create a prospect e-mail, first spotlight a memorable a part of the dialog so the recruiter or hiring supervisor is aware of you paid consideration. Subsequent, if there’s a selected talent they mentioned was essential to the job, contact on it. Lastly, don’t be too stiff—a bit persona makes you a memorable candidate.
Right here’s an instance of a follow-up e-mail to ship after a job interview with a recruiter:
“Hello, Kai.
Thanks for taking the time to inform me concerning the product advertising position at Twilio SendGrid. I’m excited to see the brand new options rolled out. My proficiency with analytics instruments will assist me deliver ahead some sturdy choices for the info reporting options we talked about.
I’m keen to satisfy the product advertising workforce and study extra concerning the every day dynamics. Will we have the ability to get that scheduled this week? I’ve acquired loads of time on Thursday or Friday.
Excited for subsequent steps, Olivia”
P.S. If somebody asks you to interview for a job and it’s worthwhile to reply, we’ve acquired a useful information for how to reply to their e-mail request. (Good luck.)
Degree up your follow-up emails with Twilio SendGrid
Though greater than adequate for sending rare follow-up emails, this primer is only the start.
When you’re an e-mail marketer or need to scale your gross sales program, you want one thing highly effective and complete to get the job carried out: an e-mail advertising device like Twilio SendGrid.
SendGrid customizes and automates emails for prospects, shoppers, repeat clients, and extra. Signal-up types, automation workflows, detailed analytics, and dynamic templates take you past your e-mail platform’s capabilities that will help you develop your online business with out spending numerous hours on emails.
Plus, you may ship an automated follow-up e-mail that helps you do enterprise whereas engaged on one thing else. Ain’t expertise grand?
SendGrid is free to hitch. Enroll at present.
