The Follow-Up Email Swipe File

SEND: 48 hours after proposal or call
SUBJECT: Quick one from me

Hi [Name],

Just wanted to make sure the proposal landed okay and nothing got lost in your inbox.

If you have any questions or want to walk through anything together, I'm happy to jump on a 15-minute call. No pressure at all.

Let me know either way.

Lilach

SEND: 5 days after proposal, no reply to 1A
SUBJECT: Something that might help

Hi [Name],

I was working with a client in [their industry or a similar space] this week and it reminded me of something we talked about on our call.

They were having the same issue with [specific pain point they mentioned]. We fixed it by [one-line description of the fix]. Took about [timeframe].

Sharing in case it's useful as you're thinking things through.

Still happy to answer any questions on the proposal when you're ready.

Lilach

SEND: 10 days after proposal, still no reply
SUBJECT: Still worth a conversation?

Hi [Name],

I've sent a couple of notes and haven't heard back, so I want to be straightforward.

If the timing isn't right, or the proposal wasn't what you needed, that's completely fine. Just a quick reply either way means I can stop following up and you don't have to feel chased.

If you are still interested, I'm holding space for [start date or project slot] but that won't be open indefinitely.

Either way, I appreciate the time you gave me on our call.

Lilach

SEND: 7 days after they went quiet mid-conversation
SUBJECT: Bumping this up for you

Hi [Name],

Bumping this up in case it got buried.

Still happy to have a conversation about [what you were discussing]. Let me know if the timing works better now, or if you'd like to reschedule.

Lilach

SEND: 14 days after they went quiet, no reply to 2A
SUBJECT: Saw this and thought of you

Hi [Name],

I know we haven't connected in a couple of weeks, but I came across [a specific article, stat, or development relevant to their business or industry] and thought it was directly relevant to what you mentioned.

[One sentence on why it matters to them specifically.]

No agenda, just thought it might be useful. If you do want to pick up where we left off, I'm easy to reach.

Lilach

SEND: 21 days after they went quiet, final email in this sequence
SUBJECT: Should I close your file?

Hi [Name],

I don't want to keep filling your inbox if the timing has changed or this isn't the right fit.

If you'd like me to close your file and stop following up, just reply and say so. No hard feelings at all.

If you're still interested but life just got in the way, reply and we'll pick it up from there.

Either answer is fine.

Lilach

SEND: 3 days after they said they need to think about it
SUBJECT: To help you think it through

Hi [Name],

Totally understand you need some time.

A few things that sometimes help my clients make this decision more easily:

1. The main thing holding most people back at this stage is [objection 1, e.g., wondering if they have the time to implement this alongside everything else]. Here's how we've handled that: [one sentence.]

2. The question worth asking yourself is: what does it cost you to stay where you are for another 3 months? Not a guilt trip. Just the honest version of the calculation.

I'll leave you to it. You know where I am.

Lilach

SEND: 7 days after the think-about-it reply, only if you have a genuine deadline (capacity, pricing, start date)
SUBJECT: One thing worth knowing

Hi [Name],

I wanted to let you know that I'm currently filling [month] start slots and I only take on [number] new clients at a time.

I've got [number] spots open at the moment. I'm not saying this to rush you, I just wouldn't feel right letting you think something through and then not have a spot for you if you decide to go ahead.

If [month] doesn't work for you, we can look at [next month] instead.

Let me know where you're at.

Lilach

NOTE: Only send this if the deadline is real. Never fabricate scarcity.

SEND: Within 24 hours of the budget reply
SUBJECT: Re: budget

Hi [Name],

Thanks for being straight with me.

A couple of questions, if you don't mind:

Is budget the only thing in the way, or is there something else we haven't talked through yet? I ask because I'd rather understand the real blocker than spend time solving the wrong one.

And when you say budget is tight right now, is that a 30-day thing, a 90-day thing, or is it genuinely not something you can see happening this year?

No wrong answers. I just want to know if there's a way to make this work or whether the timing is genuinely off.

Lilach

SEND: 2-3 days after 4A, only if they confirmed budget is the only issue
SUBJECT: A different way to structure this

Hi [Name],

Based on what you told me, here's an option worth considering.

Instead of the full [package name or description], we could start with [smaller scope, e.g., a 4-week sprint focused on the one thing with the fastest return]. That brings the investment to [range or phrase like 'significantly less'] and you'd see results from it before deciding whether to expand.

Would that be worth a 20-minute call to work out the details?

Lilach

SEND: 2 days after they said they need sign-off from someone else
SUBJECT: Something to make that conversation easier

Hi [Name],

No problem at all. To make that conversation easier on your end, here's a quick summary you can share:

What we're doing: [one sentence description]
What it's designed to achieve: [specific outcome]
The investment: [range or 'as discussed']
Why now: [one sentence on timing or urgency that's true and relevant]

If it would help to have me on a short call with the relevant people to answer questions directly, I'm happy to do that too.

Lilach

SEND: 5 days after 5A, or the day after they said their meeting would happen
SUBJECT: How did it go?

Hi [Name],

Just checking in to see how the conversation went on your end.

Did you get the green light, or did questions come up I can help answer?

Lilach

SEND: When someone has expressed intent but not acted in 5+ days
SUBJECT: The easiest next step

Hi [Name],

I know you've got a lot on. So let me make this as easy as possible.

The only thing you need to do right now is [one specific micro-action: e.g., 'reply to this email with a yes', 'click this link to pick a time', 'sign the document at this link']. That's it. I'll handle everything from there.

Here's the link: [link]

Lilach

SEND: When someone has been warm but stalling for 2+ weeks with no clear reason
SUBJECT: Something I want to ask you directly

Hi [Name],

You've been on my mind because our conversations have been really good and I can see clearly how we could help you with [specific thing]. But something keeps getting in the way of you moving forward.

I'd rather ask directly than keep guessing.

Is there something specific that's making you hesitate? A concern we haven't talked through, something you heard, something about the way I've presented this that hasn't sat right?

You can be honest with me. I'd rather know.

Lilach

SEND: 60 to 90 days after last contact
SUBJECT: Checking in

Hi [Name],

It's been a while. I hope things are going well at [company or in their world].

I'm not reaching out with a pitch. I was just thinking about our conversation from [rough timeframe] and wanted to see how things have developed since then.

Did you end up solving [the specific problem you discussed]?

Lilach

SEND: When something has genuinely changed on your end that's relevant to them
SUBJECT: Things have changed since we last spoke

Hi [Name],

We last spoke back in [month] and at the time the timing wasn't right.

A couple of things have changed on my end that might make this a different conversation now: [specific update, e.g., 'I've since worked with three businesses in your space and the results have been strong', or 'I've restructured the offer so it works for businesses at your stage'].

Worth a quick call to see if it's a better fit now?

Lilach

SEND: 3 days after they showed intent but didn't book a call or take the next step
SUBJECT: You haven't booked yet

Hi [Name],

You [downloaded / signed up / replied] a few days ago but haven't taken the next step yet.

That's totally fine. But if the thing stopping you is time, here's the booking link: [link]. It takes 20 minutes and you'll leave with a clear answer on whether this is a fit.

If the thing stopping you is something else, just reply and tell me. I'll give you a straight answer.

Lilach

SEND: 7 days after 8A, no reply
SUBJECT: Last one from me

Hi [Name],

Last email, I promise.

If now isn't the right time, no problem. You can always come back to this when the timing is better.

If you do want to explore it, the booking link is still open: [link].

Wishing you well either way.

Lilach