Yes, you should send follow-up messages because they can be effective. However, do you know how to craft the ideal follow-up email after a business proposal? In fact, a significant portion of your responses will be determined by your follow-ups. And if you’re still unsure, just know that positive responses are frequently received.
- Clear subject lines. People are busy and they get many emails a day. …
- Keep it brief. Avoid writing a novel – quickly get to your point in a few lines! …
- Refresh their memory. …
- Reiterate the value. …
- Ask why. …
- Include a call to action.
How to write a follow-up email
The following guidelines will assist you in writing a follow-up email after submitting a proposal to a prospective client:
1. Address the recipient
Try to start your follow-up email by addressing your prospective client by name. This could give the email a more personal feel, which could increase the likelihood that the recipient will respond. In comparison to an email that doesn’t address the recipient, it may also sound more professional.
2. Remind them of your proposal
There are times when a client won’t reply to your initial proposal because they overlooked the initial email or disregarded the project. If this occurs, it may be helpful to remind them of your suggestion and any prior meetings you two may have attended. Try to briefly introduce yourself and then describe your project in one or two sentences.
3. Check interest
After you’ve reminded your prospective client about the offer, you can write a sentence to gauge interest. This helps you state the email’s purpose and might persuade the recipient to reply if they like the proposal. Make an effort to keep the email brief and respectfully neutral.
4. Ask questions
You can ask the recipient specific questions about your proposal in the email’s following section. This can include their comments on the proposal, suggestions for improvement, and any queries they may have for you. Inquiries can pique the reader’s interest and lead to contact. It might also enable you to comprehend better what they like or would like to change about your suggestion.
5. Insert a call to action
A clear request for an audience to carry out an action is known as a call to action. Some calls to action include requesting a call from your prospective contact, scheduling a meeting, sending revisions to the proposal, or providing you with possible meeting dates. A call to action in your email may persuade your recipient to take that action, which can help you learn more about how they feel about the proposal or increase the likelihood that they will accept it.
6. Thank the recipient and end the email
Try to express appreciation for their time after your call to action. After that, you can close the email with a formal salutation like “sincerely” or “regards.” If you’d like, you can add an additional call to action by including your contact information in the email’s final few sentences.
Why writing a follow-up email after sending a proposal is important
It’s crucial to send a follow-up email to potential clients after sending them a proposal because doing so can help remind the recipient of the proposal and possibly reopen lines of communication. Sending them follow-up emails may persuade them to speak with you again and increase their likelihood of approving your proposal. You can also use follow-up emails to get information about your potential client, request feedback, or clarify something in your proposal.
Tips for writing a follow-up email
Here are some ideas to consider when drafting an email to follow up on a proposal:
Schedule your follow-ups
Sending follow-up emails three to five days after submitting your proposal is frequently the most effective. This is so that the prospective client has enough time to review the proposal on their own before being reminded of it and asked questions. You can plan your emails using a calendar or a program for scheduling follow-up letters.
Keep the email brief
Try to write a follow-up email that is succinct and to the point. This enables your intended audience to comprehend your purpose without difficulty. The average follow-up email is only a few paragraphs long.
Engage your reader
Frequently, if a client is personally interested in the topic of a proposal or follow-up email, they are more likely to respond. A compelling letter can make them remember the email, which increases the chance that they’ll respond. Asking them questions, demonstrating an interest in their needs and opinions, and including calls to action in your email can increase the likelihood that they will respond to you.
Personalize the email
The effectiveness of your follow-up can be increased by personalizing your email to the person you sent the proposal to, as they may feel more connected. Additionally, it can demonstrate to a potential client that you are interested in them and comprehend their particular requirements. Consider including details about the reader in your follow-up emails, such as where they work or why they might find your proposal interesting, to foster greater reader engagement and strengthen your rapport with them as a professional.
Template for a follow-up email
You can use the following sample follow-up email to check in after sending a proposal:
Dear [ Recipient name],
I’m [name] and I recently submitted a proposal on [the date you submitted it]. [One- to two-sentence summary of the project. [I thought now would be a good time to get in touch with you.
I wanted to ask you a few questions and see if you were still interested in the proposal. [List two to three questions. ].
I know you probably have a lot going on, but if you have a moment, [call to action]
Thank you,
[Name]
Example for a follow-up email
Here is an example of a proposal follow-up email:
Dear Mr. Johnson,
I’m Alexa Wynne, and last Friday I just put in a proposal on behalf of Atlas Napkins. As you may remember, in exchange for your agreement to only buy napkins for your restaurant, Atlas Napkins is willing to give you a discounted rate. I thought now would be a good time to get in touch with you.
I wanted to ask you a few questions and see if you were still interested in the proposal. I was curious if you thought the lowered price for our napkins was acceptable. Also, are you okay with a two-year contract, or would you prefer a shorter or longer term?
Although I recognize that you’re probably busy, if you have a moment, please give me a call at (554) 558-5324 so that we can arrange a time to meet so that we can talk again.
Thank you,
Alexa Wynne
How To Follow Up After you Have Emailed A Proposal
FAQ
How do you politely follow up on an email?
I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to follow up on my proposal last week. I’m really looking forward to working with you, so I wanted to see if there were any other issues or queries I could address. If there is any way I can help you at this time, kindly let me know.
How do you write a follow up email to a prospective client?
- I just wanted to follow up on the email I sent last week about [email subject] on [day of the week].
- I just wanted to check in to see what your thoughts were on [email subject]
- I apologize if this sounds strange, but I noticed that you read my previous email.
