Free tool
Follow-ups that aren't "just bumping this"
Paste the first email you sent. Get two short follow-ups that each add something new, and a polite last one that makes it easy to say no.
Why follow up at all
Most people who reply to a cold email don't reply to the first one. They were busy, it got buried, or they meant to answer later. A short follow-up a few days on is often what gets the answer, and a polite last email gets the "no thanks" that lets you stop.
What makes a follow-up work
- Something new each time. A small tip, a detail you noticed, a simpler version of the offer. "Just bumping this to the top of your inbox" gives them nothing new to answer.
- Shorter than the first email. Under 50 words. They already know who you are.
- In the same thread, so the first email is right there under it.
- Spaced out: about 3 days, then a week, then two weeks.
- A real last one. Say you won't write again and leave the offer open. It often gets the most replies, because it's easy to answer.
- Never after they reply. Chasing someone who already answered is the fastest way to a spam report.
An example
Instead ofHi Ken, just bumping this to the top of your inbox in case you missed it!
Follow-up 1Hi Ken, one thing I didn't mention: your opening hours are only in the PDF too, so Google shows "hours unknown". Happy to send the video if it's useful?
Last emailHi Ken, I won't keep writing. If the menu ever moves up the list, the offer stands: just reply "video" and I'll send it.
Before you send
Run your first email through the cold email checker, and check your domain with the SPF, DKIM and DMARC check so follow-ups land in the inbox too.