A couple of weeks ago, I shared Upside member Allison Davis’s insider tips on ghosting which got a huge response from our readers. (thank you for all of your great emails!)
But what I didn’t share is what to do when you do get ghosted…
…because it will happen no matter what steps you take to reduce it!
You’ve probably been in this situation before:
- The discovery meeting goes well and everyone seems to be on the same page.
- You go back to your desk and spend the afternoon drafting the perfect proposal based on what you discussed with the client.
- You send the proposal and wait for a reply but…no response.
- You keep checking your inbox, anxious and concerned.
- You draft a non-pushy email a week later and still don’t hear back.
- Maybe you send a second or third follow-up email being as polite as possible and still…nothing.
You have no idea why you haven’t heard from the client after sending a detailed proposal and following up for weeks. What more can be done at this point?
I’ll also share my favorite email script which has been proven to get a quick response from ghosters almost every time:
Bob,
I promise this will be the final time I follow-up. On our last call, after getting on the same page about scope, timing and pricing, I was excited about working together (and still am!).
A few weeks have passed and I now have a proposal out with another client, but only have the bandwidth to take on one of you. I’d love it to be Acme Company, especially because you were the first of the proposals I sent out and yours is the company that seems to have the biggest need and urgency.
However, if I don’t hear back from you by the end of the day today, I’ll assume your priorities have changed and you no longer intend to work together.
Looking forward to hearing back from you…
Respectfully,
Erin
Adapt this script to feel aligned with your own voice and personality and keep it somewhere handy.
And remember: never waste your brainspace or emotional bandwidth with assumptions.
You have no idea why they aren’t getting back to you but 99% of the time, it has nothing to do with you or anything you did.
You’ve got this!
