Best Ways to Follow Up with International Leads

Trick question. The real secret? You don’t pick one. The best reps, founders, and marketers don’t choose a channel, they orchestrate them. Here’s how the top 1% actually do it: 📞 1. Cold Calling: Best for high-ticket, high-stakes deals. Why it works: Instant feedback. Real-time objection handling. Hard to ignore when done right. Example: You’ve emailed a $50k ARR prospect twice. They opened but didn’t reply. Pick up the phone: “Hey, saw you opened our last note on [XYZ pain]. Thought I’d check if it’s relevant or just bad timing.” Boom. Personalized, timely, human. 📧 2. Cold Email: Your best bet for scale + authority. Why it works: It’s scalable. Decision-makers scan emails more than DMs. When well-written, it builds authority. Example: Instead of “just following up,” you write: “Hey [Name], Saw your recent post on [Topic]. Really resonated with your take on [pain]. We worked with [Competitor] to solve the exact same bottleneck and cut their churn by 18%. If it’s on your radar too, happy to send over the playbook. Best, [Your Name]” Clean. Clear. Helpful. 💼 3. LinkedIn Outreach: Slow burn. Big payoff. Why it works: Warms people up through content. Lets you build visibility before the pitch. Adds social proof to your name. Tactical Example: Someone liked your LinkedIn post about lead gen. You shoot them a message: “Hey [Name], Thanks for engaging with my post on outbound. Curious, are you exploring new strategies for [topic] or just browsing ideas? Either way, would love to stay in touch.” Now you’re not a stranger. You’re relevant. 🔄 So... which one should you use? ➡️ All three. Together. Intentionally. Here’s a flow: Cold email → they open but don’t reply → follow up with a call. They engage on LinkedIn → send a DM → follow up with a helpful email. They’re cold → connect and engage for 2 weeks → email with value → call after warm intro. The goal: Be seen. Be helpful. Then be invited in.

Years ago, I watched one of the best enterprise salespeople I've ever known lose a million-dollar deal simply because "𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗵𝘆". This brilliant, capable professional was letting million-dollar opportunities slip away because she was afraid of seeming aggressive. Sound familiar? Here's the reality I've found after analyzing thousands of sales interactions: The average B2B purchase requires 8+ touches before a response, but most salespeople give up after 2-3. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝘂𝗽𝘀—𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀. Working with clients across industries, I've developed what some have called the "Goldilocks Sequence" – not too aggressive, not too passive, but just right for maximizing response rates without alienating prospects. It starts with how we view follow-ups. Stop thinking of them as "checking in" and start seeing them as opportunities to deliver additional value. For each client, we build what I call a "Follow-Up Content Library" with 5-10 genuinely valuable resources for each buyer persona – a mix of their content and third-party research addressing likely challenges. Having this ready means follow-ups can pull the most relevant resource based on the specific situation. The sequence itself has a rhythm designed to respect the prospect's time while staying on their radar: 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭 is the initial value-focused outreach with a specific insight (never generic "I'd like to connect" language). Around 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟯, we send a gentle bump, forwarding the original email with: "I wanted to make sure this reached you. Any thoughts on the [specific insight]?" It's brief and assumes positive intent. By 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟱, we shift to an alternative channel like LinkedIn, with a personalized note referencing the insight, but still no meeting request. Around 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟴 comes the pure value-add – sharing a relevant resource with no ask attached: "Came across this [article/case study] that addresses the [challenge] we discussed. Thought you might find it valuable regardless of our conversation." 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟮 brings what I call the "pattern interrupt" – a brief email with an unexpected subject line and single-question format that's easy to respond to. Then, around Day 18, we send the "permission to close" message: "I'm sensing this might not be a priority right now. If that's the case, could you let me know if I should check back in the future? Happy to remove you from my follow-up list otherwise." This sequence generated a 34% response rate for an enterprise software client compared to their previous 11% using traditional methods. The key difference? Every touch adds legitimate value rather than just asking for time. And because it's systematic, it removes the emotional weight of deciding when and how to follow up. What's your most effective follow-up technique? I'm always collecting new approaches to share with clients. #SalesFollowUp #OutreachStrategy #PipelineGeneration

Most follow-ups fail because you ask, not add. They sound needy, vague, or desperate. Here’s a better approach: Add value + Ask one clear question. Reason why it works: → Value warms them up. → A single question makes replying easy. → Specifics prove you’re not copy-pasting. When to send it: → After applying (3-5 days) → After interview (24 hrs) → If you get silence (7-10 days after your last touch) The 2-line follow-up that gets replies (use this): Hi [Name], I applied for [Job Title] and thought you’d find this helpful, [one specific insight or relevant link]. Any chance you can share the next step for this role? Examples: → After applying: “Hi Sara, I applied for Product Manager, noticed your roadmap post and attached 2 quick ideas about customer onboarding. Any update on next steps?” → After interview: “Hi Raj, thanks again for today, I’ve sketched a 2-step plan to tackle X; would you like the outline?” → If ghosted: “Hi Mira, still excited about [Company]. Is there any missing info I can share to help your decision?” Small rules: → Be specific. → Keep it short. → Don’t send more than 2 follow-ups without new value. P.S. Want more templates pre-written? DM "Follow-up" and I’ll send them.

You paid for the booth, wore the polo, and smiled for 3 days straight. And then you got home, opened 400 emails, and followed up 10 days later with "Great meeting you at [show]!" They had no idea who you were. The show isn't where you lose the ROI. The week after is. Here's what actually works: 1. Your follow-up starts before you arrive 👉 The directory is published weeks in advance. Your competitors aren't reading it. 2. Not every lead deserves the same follow-up 👉 Someone who spent 20 minutes with you is not the same as someone who grabbed a pen and walked on. 3. Tag leads hot / warm / cold before you leave the floor 👉 Hot lead: personal note, specific callback, clear next step. Warm lead: relevant resource, light ask, nurture sequence. 4. Include a photo of your booth in your follow-up email 👉 Faces blur after a full day on the floor. A photo jogs the memory before they read a word. 5. Record a 30-second testimonial on the floor 👉 Almost nobody does this. It's the most powerful content you'll make all year. 6. Make it about them, not about you 👉 Nobody asked how long you've been in business. They want to know if you can solve their problem. 7. Send a 60-second video instead of an email 👉 No script. No editing. The most memorable follow-up they'll get from anyone at the show. 8. Always end with a clear next step 👉 "Let me know if you have questions" is not a next step. It's a wish. 9. Follow up more than once, no reply isn't no 👉 Most buyers are busy, not disinterested. 3–5 touches over 3 weeks. 10. Connect on LinkedIn while you're still at the show 👉 One connection from the floor beats 10 cold emails sent a week later. 11. Post a "what we heard" within 48 hours 👉 Not about your product. About their problems. These posts travel. 12. The best content from a show isn't about your booth 👉 One sharp observation from 3 days on the floor will outperform any product post you write all year. The booth opens the door. What you do next determines if it was worth it. What's your favorite way to follow up? 👇 _________ Ready for more leads? Sign up for my free weekly newsletter here → https://lnkd.in/eRXtjQ_C

The Follow-up Dance Everyone wants the contract. Few master the follow-up. Here's what most do: Send the proposal. Wait three days. Send "Just checking in..." Repeat until ghosted. It's the dance of desperation, and your prospect can hear the music. But what if we've got it backwards? McDonald's follows up with "want fries with that?" Amazon follows up with "others also bought..." But you? You're following up with "did you see my proposal?" See the difference? One adds value. The other adds pressure. Your proposal isn't sitting unopened because they forgot about it. It's sitting unopened because you haven't given them a reason to open it. The real follow-up isn't about the contract at all. It's about continuing to be useful. To be interesting. To be worth paying attention to. Share an insight about their industry. Point out a competitor's misstep. Send an article that makes them think. Because the best follow-up isn't a follow-up at all. It's leadership. Formula for Contract Follow-Up: 1. Acknowledge the pain of change: Empathize with the challenges or effort involved. 2. Contextualize the cost of inaction (COI): Connect the delay to tangible consequences, framed in the present. 3. Reframe the obstacle: Make the “enemy” external (e.g., a roadblock, not them). 4. Invite honesty: Create a safe space to hear the real status, including bad news. 3 Messaging Formats 1. Concise & Direct Subject: Are we hitting a roadblock? Hi [Name], You’ve been instrumental in getting this proposal to the finish line, and I truly appreciate the effort. I know [specific COI, e.g., “every week of delay keeps X revenue off the table”]. Has something unexpected come up that’s holding back the final signature? I’d rather know where we stand so we can adapt as needed. Let me know. [Your Name] 2. Empathetic & Collaborative Subject: Checking in on the proposal Hi [Name], I know this process isn’t easy—you’ve been a champion working through the details, and I appreciate it. That said, we’re seeing [specific COI, e.g., “the impact of [X issue] creeping into next quarter”]. Is there an unexpected roadblock we need to address together to move things forward? Or has something else shifted? Happy to adjust if needed—just let me know where we stand. Best, [Your Name] 3. Narrative & Storytelling Subject: Getting ahead of status quo losses Hi [Name], I can imagine how grueling contract reviews can be—it's one of the least glamorous but most critical steps. It got me thinking about [specific COI, e.g., “how $2M slipped through the cracks last year due to the status quo”]. Have we run into an unexpected roadblock that might risk a similar outcome this time around? It’s okay if we’re stuck—I just want to make sure we can keep the momentum toward solving [specific pain point or goal]. [Your Name] ___________ When was the last time your follow-up made someone smarter?

Sales reps email "just checking in" an average of 5 times per day. Does this work?  Rarely. The habit of saying "just checking in" negatively impacts your sales efforts: ⇒ It doesn't add any value to the conversation. ⇒ It can come across as lazy or insincere. ⇒ By using this phrase, you miss opportunities to engage meaningfully. Here are 10 tips to stop saying "just checking in" and do something else instead: 1. Provide Value:  Instead of "just checking in," offer a useful piece of advice or a relevant resource. For example, "I came across this article that might help with your current project." 2. Ask Specific Questions:  Directly ask for the information you need. For example, "Can you update me on the status of the proposal we discussed?" 3. Share a Success Story:  Highlight a recent success that relates to the prospect's industry. For example, "We recently helped a company similar to yours achieve X. Would you like to hear more about it?" 4. Offer a New Insight:  Share a new piece of information or a market trend. For example, "I wanted to share some recent data on how companies in your sector are handling Y." 5. Suggest a Next Step:  Propose a clear next action. For example, "How about we schedule a call next week to discuss this further?" 6. Follow Up on a Previous Conversation:  Reference a specific point from your last interaction. For example, "Last time we spoke, you mentioned interest in Z. I have some additional information that might be useful." 7. Invite to an Event:  Offer an invitation to a webinar or industry event. For example, "We’re hosting a webinar on [topic] next week. Would you be interested in joining?" 8. Highlight a New Feature:  Inform them about a new feature or update. For example, "We’ve just launched a new feature that could benefit your team. Would you like a demo?" 9. Ask for Feedback:  Request their opinion on something specific. For example, "I’d love to get your feedback on our latest product update." 10. Express Genuine Interest:  Show that you care about their progress. For example, "How are things going with your current project? Is there anything I can assist with?" By replacing "just checking in" with these strategies,  you can make your follow-ups more engaging and valuable. This ultimately leads to better responses and stronger relationships. ♻️ Share this cheat sheet to help more sales reps improve their follow-up game. ______ 📌 p.s. FREE GIFT: If you’re looking to streamline sales plays across your sales team, you can click here: https://www.distribute.so/

>>>𝗡𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝘂𝗽? 𝗡𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽. That’s the rule I’ve set for myself after too many missed connections at great events. You know the drill: → You leave a room buzzing with ideas, names, and conversations. → You promise to stay in touch. → Then real life kicks in—and the momentum disappears. I’ve learned this the hard way. Now, I don’t attend unless I’m ready to do the follow-up work too. Now I'm trying something new: → I teamed up with an accountability partner to debrief post-event. (Thanks Elina!) → We share notes, fill in gaps, and add next steps. → That accountability makes a huge difference. I’ve also added two tactics that make a real impact: → Book follow-up meetings on the spot. If the convo’s going well, lock in a next step before you part ways. → Post your takeaways publicly. Share a few insights or reflections from the event. It signals value and helps people reconnect. If you're not using a CRM, here’s my simple follow-up playbook: → Input all the people you've met in a spreadsheet. → Use LinkedIn as your mini-CRM. Be very specific in a DM how and when you met. → Personalize your connection requests or your 1st DM. Mention the event. Reference your chat. Two lines are enough. → Follow up while it’s still fresh. Send the article, make the intro, or just say “great meeting you.” → Engage publicly. Comment on their latest post. Like something they shared. Stay visible. → Make your profile do the heavy lifting. Clear headline. Updated summary. Recent post. Your profile should reinforce the connection. IRL is just the spark. What you do after—that’s what turns a name tag into a relationship. What’s your follow-up system look like? Photos from Tuesday event at Technology Park Ljubljana where we talked about dos and don'ts of opening new markets.

Wish I had known this follow-up strategy earlier. (It helped me close a $1400 ghostwriting deal). (September) I spoke with a Healthcare VC about personal branding. We had a great call. I sent the proposal. She was ready, but then her career changed. She had to restructure her sales funnel, which took her focus for a while. Then, I followed up with a fresh approach. I offered a solution that fit her updated goals, and we closed the deal. So, how did I do it? Follow-ups matter. But they need to add value. (1) Skip the usual “checking in.” Offer something helpful. Example: “Hi [Name], I found a guide on funnel optimization. It might help with your new role. Let me know if you want branding tips too!” (2) Things change. Reach out with an updated idea that fits their new goals. Example: “Hi [Name], I tweaked our approach to fit your new role. Let me know if you're open to hearing it!” (3) Be helpful, not just salesy. Ask about their challenges. Example: “Hi [Name], how’s the new funnel going? If you need any support, I’m here. Let me know!” Follow-ups are more than reminders. They’re opportunities to help and build relationships. When done right, they don’t feel like follow-ups. They feel like solutions. ______________________________________________ Hi, I'm Sneha, an Executive PR expert and Writing Coach. Book a call from the comments if you need this; - Personal Branding/Ghostwriting - 1:1 Coaching "How to LinkedIn" #personalbranding #marketing #business

Almost nobody’s doing this hack yet. But the ones who start now will close more deals, fast. When an inbound lead fills your form, skip the slow email. Send them a WhatsApp message instantly. No waiting, no chasing. You reach them while they still have your tab open. Here’s what happens today for most teams: → Lead fills form → Hours (or days) pass before a reply → By the time you call, they’ve already booked with someone else In markets where buyers compare 2-3 options, the fastest follow-up wins. WhatsApp gives you that speed. Because it’s instant and personal. And it’s where your buyers already spend their attention. Here’s the exact playbook that works: 1. Create a post so good that your ICP asks for details 2. Add a CTA for them to request WhatsApp contact 3. Route those leads into lemlist 4. Trigger an instant WhatsApp follow-up sequence Inbound → WhatsApp → Meeting. This is how you convert hot leads in 2025. PS: I love WhatsApp. Outbound bros, please don’t go too hard with this hack. Let’s keep it permission-based, not email spam 2.0.