How To Write an Effective Follow Up Email in 5 Simple Steps [SlideShare]

I went to a networking event the other day and the minute I got home, I did what I was supposed to do: I sent out a dozen follow up emails to the people I met.

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The emails went something along the lines of ...

I felt accomplished. I feel good about this. I’m gonna close some deals! Time for a drink …

But you probably won’t be surprised by the response I got: No response. None.

I thought to myself, "Really? Not one person can take just one minute to respond to my email?"

This was the big lesson I learned the hard way ...

Generic, "checking-in" emails don’t work.

This standard follow up email isn’t about checking in. We’re trying to accomplish something with each message - whether that be closing a deal, getting a job, or solidifying a new connection.

So before we move on to five steps to write an amazing follow up email, let’s rewind and look at four reasons why the email above accomplishes nothing. 

     It’s not personalized. I didn’t say a single thing that would interest Ariana.

     It’s obvious I was just eager to close a deal so I can make some $$$.

     I didn’t even remind her what we talked about at the event.

     I didn’t provide specific action steps to move forward.

That’s not even the extent of it, but it's clear why I didn’t get a response. I gave her no reason to be interested in what I had to say because I didn’t provide any value to her.

To get someone interested in what we have to say, we should:

   Provide new (and useful) information

   Tell them how we can help them

   Speak in terms of their interests

   Say something nice about them

Later that week, I changed my follow up approach for another person I met at the event ... and got a response. If you want your follow up emails to generate revenue, you'll need to change your approach too.

Here’s the email I used.

Boom.

So that email is more detailed and personalized. But what makes it better?

Clickthrough the following SlideShare to find out. In it we provide a breakdown of why just checking in emails are useless, and share five steps to writing an amazing follow up email.

Afterward, you’ll be equipped to write a follow up email that’s personalized, builds rapport, provides value, and is more likely to get you what you want.