How to Follow Up with Someone Who’s Not Getting Back to You (2024)

Summary.

Sending an email follow up can feel awkward — especially if you have to do it multiple times. But just because someone hasn’t responded to your initial request, it doesn’t mean their answer is “no.” Here are six tips to help you get the response you need.

• Write a compelling subject line. Remember most emails are read on mobile devices, so keep it short.
• Be mindful of your tone. You want to come across as friendly and polite.
• Keep your message brief and easily scannable.
• Make a clear ask, so the recipient knows exactly what you want.
• Give the recipient an out. It will demonstrate humility and ease any potential discomfort.
• Be persistent. You want to demonstrate assertiveness but also good judgment about when to move on.

• Rebecca Zucker is an executive coach and a founding partner at Next Step Partners, a leadership development firm. Her clients have included Amazon, Clorox, Morrison Foerster, Norwest Venture Partners, The James Irvine Foundation, and high-growth technology companies like DocuSign and Dropbox. You can follow her on LinkedIn.