A client ghosted me for 3 straight weeks.
I sent him three "Any updates?" emails. Crickets.
Then, I changed my approach. I sent a 1-sentence email using a specific psychological trigger.
He replied in 4 minutes.👇
I sent him three "Any updates?" emails. Crickets.
Then, I changed my approach. I sent a 1-sentence email using a specific psychological trigger.
He replied in 4 minutes.👇
1/ The "Inbox Bump"
When you don't want to sound pushy, but need them to see it.
Stop saying: "Did you see my last email?"
Try this: "Bringing this back to the top of your inbox. Let me know if you've had a chance to review."
Why it works: It’s an act of service, not a demand.
When you don't want to sound pushy, but need them to see it.
Stop saying: "Did you see my last email?"
Try this: "Bringing this back to the top of your inbox. Let me know if you've had a chance to review."
Why it works: It’s an act of service, not a demand.
2/ The "Unblocker"
When they showed interest but suddenly ghosted.
Stop saying: "Any updates?"
Try this: "Is there any specific question I can answer to help move this forward?"
Why it works: You remove the cognitive load of them trying to formulate an excuse.
When they showed interest but suddenly ghosted.
Stop saying: "Any updates?"
Try this: "Is there any specific question I can answer to help move this forward?"
Why it works: You remove the cognitive load of them trying to formulate an excuse.
3/ The "Priority Check"
When you aren't sure if they still care.
Stop saying: "How is this going?"
Try this: "Is this project still a priority for you right now?"
Why it works: People hate admitting they dropped the ball. This forces a simple yes/no decision.
When you aren't sure if they still care.
Stop saying: "How is this going?"
Try this: "Is this project still a priority for you right now?"
Why it works: People hate admitting they dropped the ball. This forces a simple yes/no decision.
4/ The "Professional Pivot"
When you sent a proposal and they went silent.
Stop saying: "Just following up on the proposal."
Try this: "Does it make sense to keep moving forward, or should we revisit this later?"
Why it works: You sound like a peer managing timelines, not someone begging for a sale.
When you sent a proposal and they went silent.
Stop saying: "Just following up on the proposal."
Try this: "Does it make sense to keep moving forward, or should we revisit this later?"
Why it works: You sound like a peer managing timelines, not someone begging for a sale.
5/ The "Easy Out"
When you're dealing with a CEO or someone swamped.
Stop saying: "I know you're busy, but..."
Try this: "Would next week be a better time to revisit this?"
Why it works: Busy people love multiple-choice. They will literally reply "Yes, next week" in 2 seconds.
When you're dealing with a CEO or someone swamped.
Stop saying: "I know you're busy, but..."
Try this: "Would next week be a better time to revisit this?"
Why it works: Busy people love multiple-choice. They will literally reply "Yes, next week" in 2 seconds.
6/ The "Clean Break"
When you've followed up 3 times with zero reply.
Stop saying: "Reaching out one more time..."
Try this: "Should I keep this file open, or does it make more sense to close it for now?"
Why it works: It shows you value your own time and won't chase them forever.
When you've followed up 3 times with zero reply.
Stop saying: "Reaching out one more time..."
Try this: "Should I keep this file open, or does it make more sense to close it for now?"
Why it works: It shows you value your own time and won't chase them forever.
7/ The "Goal Anchor"
When you need to remind them WHY they talked to you.
Stop saying: "I'm following up."
Try this: "I’m staying in touch because this could still help you solve [Specific Problem/Goal]."
Why it works: People forget emails. They never forget their own problems.
When you need to remind them WHY they talked to you.
Stop saying: "I'm following up."
Try this: "I’m staying in touch because this could still help you solve [Specific Problem/Goal]."
Why it works: People forget emails. They never forget their own problems.
8/ The "Objection Flush"
When you know they are hesitating but won't say why.
Stop saying: "Is everything okay?"
Try this: "Is there anything specific stopping this from moving forward?"
Why it works: It gives them a safe space to finally say "It's too expensive" or "Bad timing."
When you know they are hesitating but won't say why.
Stop saying: "Is everything okay?"
Try this: "Is there anything specific stopping this from moving forward?"
Why it works: It gives them a safe space to finally say "It's too expensive" or "Bad timing."
9/ The "Takeaway"
When you need a hard answer to plan your own work.
Stop saying: "Please let me know."
Try this: "I need to reallocate resources to another project tomorrow. Let me know if you still want to explore this."
Why it works: FOMO. It introduces a real, professional consequence for their silence.
When you need a hard answer to plan your own work.
Stop saying: "Please let me know."
Try this: "I need to reallocate resources to another project tomorrow. Let me know if you still want to explore this."
Why it works: FOMO. It introduces a real, professional consequence for their silence.
10/ The "Assumption Drop"
When they've been gone for weeks.
Try this: "Should I assume this is no longer a priority?"
Why it works: Human psychology. People have a burning urge to correct false assumptions. If they still want it, they will immediately stop you from closing the door.
When they've been gone for weeks.
Try this: "Should I assume this is no longer a priority?"
Why it works: Human psychology. People have a burning urge to correct false assumptions. If they still want it, they will immediately stop you from closing the door.
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