How to write effective follow up emails
Now that you've crafted the perfect initial email, it's time to focus on writing effective follow-up emails. You might be wondering, "When is the right time to send a follow-up email?" There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but a useful guideline is to wait 48-72 hours after sending your first email. This timeframe gives the recipient enough time to read and respond to your message without feeling overwhelmed.
To write an impactful follow-up email, keep these best practices in mind:
- Subject line: Make it clear, concise, and engaging. Use a numbered list, a question, or a unique benefit to pique the recipient's interest.
- Opening line: Address the recipient by their first name. This personal touch helps build rapport and encourages them to continue reading.
- Body: Keep it brief, focusing on one main idea. Use bullet points or numbered lists to break up the text and make it easily digestible.
- Call-to-action: Be explicit. Ask the recipient a direct question or tell them exactly what you want them to do next.
- Closing: Sign off with a friendly, conversational tone. If possible, use a P.S. to summarize your main point or add a final thought.
Here's an example of a follow-up email:
Subject: Following up on our conversation Hi [Recipient's Name], I hope you're doing well! I wanted to follow up on our conversation from the other day about [specific topic]. Here are a few key takeaways from our discussion:
- [Takeaway 1]
- [Takeaway 2]
- [Takeaway 3]
I know how busy you are, and I appreciate your time. I'm confident that implementing these changes will help [specific goal]. Could we schedule a quick call this week to discuss next steps? I'm available [days/times]. Looking forward to hearing from you! Best, [Your Name] P.S. Remember, the sooner we make these adjustments, the quicker you'll see [specific benefit].
By applying these tips and crafting a well-written follow-up email, you'll increase the likelihood of getting a response and keeping the conversation going. Happy emailing!