The 'thoughts?' bump email is a relic of time-constrained manual prospecting, not a best practice for conversions. Every touchpoint is an opportunity. Instead of a lazy bump, offer a tiny piece of value, like a relevant case study link, to re-engage the prospect's interest.

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Don't use the same formula (e.g., personalization-problem-solution) for every email in a sequence. Mix in different structures, such as a short value-add email, a two-sentence direct ask, or a problem-social proof format, to keep the prospect engaged and avoid predictability.

Stop trying to convert customers directly within an email. An email's primary function is to provide enough evidence and intrigue to earn a click through to a dedicated sales page. The sales page, not the email, is responsible for the final conversion. This shift makes copy more conversational and less pushy.

Salespeople mistakenly delay follow-ups to avoid being 'annoying,' but this kills momentum. Prospects don't track outreach attempts like salespeople do. A steady, frequent cadence isn't pushy; it demonstrates reliability and preparation, proving you won't quit on them.

The idea of sending 'value-only' emails without a call to action is flawed. Solving a customer's problem *is* the value, and your product is the tool for that solution. Including a path to purchase in every email respects the customer's intent and provides critical data on which messages resonate.

The "send me an email" objection is often a polite dismissal. Instead of accepting defeat, turn it into a discovery opportunity by asking, "To make it relevant, what's most important for me to include?" This uncovers priorities for a tailored follow-up.

Salespeople often worry about being annoying during follow-up because they frame it as a transactional attempt to close a deal. To overcome this, reframe follow-up as an opportunity to build and enhance the relationship. By consistently providing value—sharing insights, making introductions, or offering resources—the interaction becomes helpful rather than pestering.

Ask a personal, slightly controversial question early on. The prospect's passionate response provides a unique, memorable hook you can reference in a follow-up email subject line to cut through the noise if they go dark.

Asking for a prospect's time or interest is less effective than giving them something valuable. Emails that include a tangible offer (e.g., a benchmark, an audit, a unique insight) see a 28% higher reply rate. You get their time by not asking for it directly.

Instead of a direct "just following up" message, tag your prospect in a relevant industry post on LinkedIn. This provides value, gives them visibility, and serves as a subtle reminder, positioning you as a helpful resource rather than a persistent seller.

When a proposal goes silent, avoid empty 'checking in' emails, which position you as a nuisance. Instead, every follow-up must deliver additional insights or value relevant to the prospect's business. This reframes you as a helpful peer and consultant, keeping the conversation alive without sounding desperate.

Replace Lazy 'Thoughts?' Follow-Ups with Single-Sentence Value-Add Emails | RiffOn