Stop ‘just following up'—to get responses ASAP, use these 'powerful messages,' says communication expert
You follow up again and more silence.
We've all experienced some version of this, whether it's after a job interview, a networking request, or a sales conversation.
As a keynote speaker, LinkedIn Learning Instructor, and bestselling author of "Unforgettable Presence," I work with highly accomplished professionals — from executives to rising leaders — to help them communicate with confidence.
So I know that while a gentle "just following up," "circling back" or "just checking in" might feel polite, it's often not enough to cut through the noise of a busy inbox.
Here's what to do if you don't want your follow-ups to be ignored:
When you end a call with, "We can figure out next steps over email," it's easy for people to deprioritize your follow-up request.
One of the easiest ways to reduce ghosting is to schedule your next interaction before the current one ends.
The meeting or deliverable can always be adjusted later on. It takes more effort to cancel a meeting entirely — and more gall to blow past a deadline — than to ignore an email. Try:
Language like "just following up" and "just checking in" may sound friendly, but it's indirect and can easily get dismissed as non-urgent. Even worse, when you use minimizing words like "just," you're subtly telling the other person that your message isn't that important.
Ultimately, these soft, non-committal openers make your message feel optional instead of actionable.
Drop the minimizing words and swap vague follow-ups for clear, specific messages. Try:
Sometimes people aren't ignoring you, they simply don't have an answer yet — although in an ideal world, they'd let you know that!
Ask a clear, direct question to give the other person a reason to respond, even if it's to say, "Not right now." Try:
When appropriate, reference a time constraint. Sometimes urgency helps people prioritize their response. Try:
Still not getting a reply? Try showing up in their world.
Engaging with someone's recent post on LinkedIn can be a subtle but effective way to remind them you're around — without pinging their inbox again.
Don't spam their DMs or comment with "sent you an email!" Instead, offer value and visibility by leaving a thoughtful comment, for example. It keeps you top of mind and builds rapport.
It's easy to assume silence means "no." But often, it just means your message got lost in a sea of other priorities. A friendly, professional nudge is acceptable and often appreciated.
Follow up after a reasonable time. Use a subject line that gets attention and be clear about what you're hoping for.
And don't apologize. None of this "Sorry to bother you..." stuff. You're not bothering them — you're being proactive.
Resending the same message with a passive aggressive "bumping this up" isn't likely to entice the recipient to reply.
If you've already followed up once, shift your approach instead of repeating yourself. Add new information or progress since your last message. It keeps the conversation active and gives the recipient a clear reason to re-engage. Try:
Following up doesn't have to feel awkward, and you don't have to settle for silence. With a few thoughtful changes, you can turn passive check-ins into powerful messages that help you get things done and get on with your day.
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