You’ve had a great call. Everyone’s on board. Then you send the follow-up email, and you’re met with silence.
You follow up again and more silence.
We’ve all experienced some version of this, whether it’s after a job interview, a networking request, or a sales conversation.
As a keynote speaker, LinkedIn Learning Instructor, and bestselling author of “Unforgettable Presence,” I work with highly accomplished professionals — from executives to rising leaders — to help them communicate with confidence.
So I know that while a gentle “just following up,” “circling back” or “just checking in” might feel polite, it’s often not enough to cut through the noise of a busy inbox.
Here’s what to do if you don’t want your follow-ups to be ignored:
Set the next step before you hang up
When you end a call with, “We can figure out next steps over email,” it’s easy for people to deprioritize your follow-up request.
One of the easiest ways to reduce ghosting is to schedule your next interaction before the current one ends.
The meeting or deliverable can always be adjusted later on. It takes more effort to cancel a meeting entirely — and more gall to blow past a deadline — than to ignore an email. Try:
“Let’s touch base next Friday. I can send an invite. When’s a good time?””I’ll draft the proposal this week and we can reconnect early next week. Does Monday or Tuesday work?””If I send you the draft memo by 5 p.m. today, would you be able to review and share your comments by Thursday morning?”
Lead with clarity, purpose, and a positive tone
Language like “just following up” and “just checking in” may sound friendly, but it’s indirect and can easily get dismissed as non-urgent. Even worse, when you use minimizing words like “just,” you’re subtly telling the other person that your message isn’t that important.
Ultimately, these soft, non-committal openers make your message feel optional instead of actionable.
Drop the minimizing words and swap vague follow-ups for clear, specific messages. Try:
“Following up on the speaker proposal I sent over — hoping to confirm next steps by Friday so I can hold the date.””I wanted to ask if there’s any additional information I can provide to support your decision on [X situation].””I’m excited to move forward on this project and wanted to check where things stand on your end.”
Give them a reason to reply
Sometimes people aren’t ignoring you, they simply don’t have an answer yet — although in an ideal world, they’d let you know that!
Ask a clear, direct question to give the other person a reason to respond, even if it’s to say, “Not right now.” Try:
“Would next week be a better time to reconnect?””Is this still a priority on your end?”
When appropriate, reference a time constraint. Sometimes urgency helps people prioritize their response. Try:
“We’re finalizing our list by Friday. Can you let me know by then if this is still of interest?””I wanted to give you a chance to include your response before our meeting schedule closes next week.”
Use LinkedIn as a strategic reminder
Still not getting a reply? Try showing up in their world.
Engaging with someone’s recent post on LinkedIn can be a subtle but effective way to remind them you’re around — without pinging their inbox again.
Don’t spam their DMs or comment with “sent you an email!” Instead, offer value and visibility by leaving a thoughtful comment, for example. It keeps you top of mind and builds rapport.
Don’t be afraid to (politely) reach out again
It’s easy to assume silence means “no.” But often, it just means your message got lost in a sea of other priorities. A friendly, professional nudge is acceptable and often appreciated.
Follow up after a reasonable time. Use a subject line that gets attention and be clear about what you’re hoping for.
And don’t apologize. None of this “Sorry to bother you…” stuff. You’re not bothering them — you’re being proactive.
Change tacks and add updates
Resending the same message with a passive aggressive “bumping this up” isn’t likely to entice the recipient to reply.
If you’ve already followed up once, shift your approach instead of repeating yourself. Add new information or progress since your last message. It keeps the conversation active and gives the recipient a clear reason to re-engage. Try:
“We’ve updated the proposal to include your feedback. Happy to walk through the changes.””Since our last conversation, we’ve secured buy-in from the team. Would love to hear your thoughts.”
Following up doesn’t have to feel awkward, and you don’t have to settle for silence. With a few thoughtful changes, you can turn passive check-ins into powerful messages that help you get things done and get on with your day.
Lorraine K. Lee is an award-winning keynote speaker and CEO of RISE Learning Solutions. She’s also the best-selling author of “Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career,” which was named a must-read by the Next Big Idea Club. She teaches popular courses with LinkedIn Learning and Stanford Continuing Studies. Past clients include Zoom, Cisco, LinkedIn, ASICS, McKinsey & Company, and many others.
Are you ready to buy a house? Take Smarter by CNBC Make It’s new online course How to Buy Your First Home. Expert instructors will help you weigh the cost of renting vs. buying, financially prepare, and confidently navigate every step of the process—from mortgage basics to closing the deal. Sign up today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $97 (+taxes and fees) through July 15, 2025.
