How to Follow Up (Again) With Success
Nemo Media Group
"Done For You" LinkedIn Lead Generation Agency for Small Business Owners & Consultants
“The fortune is in the follow up.”
It's a timeless sales truth that applies perfectly to LinkedIn lead generation. Yet, following up effectively on LinkedIn is a delicate balance.
Push too hard and you annoy potential clients; give up too soon and you leave money on the table.
So, the question is, how do you follow up without sounding spammy or annoying?
The Key to Effective Follow-Up
One of our clients recently closed a five-figure deal with a prospect they first started messaging two years ago.
Yes, TWO YEARS of follow-up. And it was worth every message.
The same client also landed a $96,000 deal from a LinkedIn prospect within their first two weeks of working with us.
Some leads convert quickly, others take time. The lesson? Persistence and strategy convert and pay off, regardless of lead time.
Why Your Messages Get Ignored
Most follow-up messages on LinkedIn fail because they're:
Generic ("Just checking in...")
Focused solely on selling
Impersonal, like giving forms to fill out
Too frequent or too pushy
The best follow-up messages stand out by being personal, valuable, and naturally conversational.
Make Your Follow-Up Messages Irresistible
The secret to follow-up messages that get responses is simple: make them about the prospect, not about you.
Consider hunting for conversation starters by scanning your prospect’s profile for things like:
Location or home (to connect over things like sports teams, local events)
Where they went to school
Recent content they've posted
Volunteer activities or causes
Professional accomplishments
Then use these elements to personalize your message.
"My apologies [NAME] - just remembered you live in Chicago. If you're a Bears fan, you likely need some emotional support right now after Sunday's debacle! 😬
Football watching aside, did you have a chance to check out my eBook over the weekend? I'm on the edge of my seat over here! 🤣"
Or:
"Just thought of you [NAME]. My wife was talking about summer vacations last night and Chicago came up. What would you recommend for a family with 3 crazy boys to get a real Chicago experience?"
When to Use Humor
Humor can be incredibly effective in LinkedIn follow-ups when used appropriately. The key is keeping it light, professional, and aligned with you as a person.
Consider incorporating elements like:
Relevant GIFs that convey waiting or checking in
Light self-deprecating jokes about your persistence
Relatable everyday situations that add a human touch
Current events or seasonal references that create common ground
The goal is to make your follow-up stand out from the typical "just checking in" messages that flood most inboxes. If you can make someone smile, they're more likely to respond (even if it's just to acknowledge your creativity).
Jokes and silliness should complement your value proposition, not replace it. A funny message that also reminds the prospect of how you can help them solve a specific problem combines the best of both worlds by being both memorable AND meaningful.
What works best is remaining authentic to your own true self while keeping messages brief, conversational, and easy to respond to.
LinkedIn's mobile app also allows you to send audio and video messages directly in your 1-on-1 conversations. Surprisingly few people utilize these features, but they can convert with power.
Recording a quick 30-45 second video puts a face to your name and builds trust faster than text alone. Keep it casual and authentic, and remember that not every strategy is for every prospect.
Is There a Time to Stop Following Up?
The simple answer: when they give you a concrete "No.” If you haven’t received that yet, the end is not in sight.
Keep in mind that people have real lives and things constantly get in the way. One of our prospects "ghosted" for a full 90 days, and we thought there was no hope.
It turned out they had experienced a serious health crisis. After recovery, they reconnected with us, booked a call, and ultimately became a valued client. This experience reinforced an important lesson about patience and persistence.
There are countless reasons that could lead to someone disappearing from LinkedIn for some time, but the long game works wonders.
Want More Free LinkedIn Lead Generation Tips?
If you found these tips helpful, Nemo Media Group has even more to share with you!
Visit the Nemo Media Group website or click on the image below to grab free digital copies of bestselling LinkedIn Lead Generation books & templates: https://nemomediagroup.com/free-tips/
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