They make the prospect do work.
They have to remember who you are, dig up the thread, decide what to say, and then take a tiny social risk by responding. Even if they like you. Even if the timing is fine. It is still effort.
And the classic follow up templates do not help:
- “Just bumping this to the top of your inbox”
- “Any thoughts?”
- “Did you see my last email?”
- “Circling back”
It is all basically the same message. You are asking them to respond, without giving them a clean path to respond.
So here is the follow up that, weirdly, gets replies. Even when you have no update.
It is a “no update” follow up. But done right, it does not feel like you are empty handed. It feels respectful, easy, and specific.
And that is why it works.
The real goal of a follow up (it is not “checking in”)
A follow up is not a reminder.
A follow up is a decision request.
You are trying to help the prospect choose one of three doors:
- Yes, let’s do the next step
- Not now, remind me later
- No, and here is why
Most sales emails pretend door #1 is the only acceptable outcome. So prospects stall. Because if they reply, they think they are stepping into a sales process. They are cautious.
Your job is to make all three doors feel safe.
That is the whole game.
Interestingly enough, the way you structure your follow-up can significantly influence its success. The “no update” follow up makes door #2 and door #3 feel socially acceptable which ironically increases the odds of door #1.
What a “No Update” follow up actually is
It is an email that says, in plain English:
- I do not have anything new to add
- I do not want to be annoying
- I do want to close the loop
- Here are the two or three options
- You can pick one with a one word reply
That is it.
The reason it performs is because it lowers cognitive load. It is also honest. And honesty reads as confidence.
Most prospects can smell “manufactured urgency” from a mile away. If you can be calm and specific, it stands out.
The exact template
Here is the version I like most. Feel free to copy it.
Subject: No update on my side
Hi {{FirstName}},
No update on my side since my last note, just wanted to close the loop.
Should I
- send over a few times for a quick call, or
- pause this for now?
Either is totally fine. Just reply with 1 or 2.
Thanks,
{{YourName}}
That is the base.
Yes it is short. That is the point.
But the power is in the tiny choices: “close the loop”, “either is totally fine”, “reply with 1 or 2”.
You are giving them an easy out. And you are making responding feel like finishing a small task, not starting a big one.
Why “No update” is the perfect opener
People often overthink the opener of an email.
They believe they need a new case study, a fresh insight, a different angle, or a compelling reason to send an email. While that may be true sometimes, most of the time, what you really need is a reason that feels human.
“No update on my side” works effectively because:
- It signals transparency and honesty
- It reduces the pressure to respond with a lengthy explanation
- It frames the email as housekeeping, not chasing
- It subtly communicates you have other commitments
Moreover, it alleviates the unspoken accusation that often accompanies follow-up emails like “did you see this?” or “just checking”.
Such phrases can put recipients on the defensive. Even well-mannered individuals may choose to ignore these emails out of mild annoyance.
On the contrary, “No update” does not place blame on them. Instead, it simply moves the conversation forward.
Tailoring Your Follow-Up for Better Responses
If you're aiming for a higher reply rate, consider adding a single contextual line to your follow-up email. Just one line is sufficient; there's no need for a lengthy paragraph.
For instance:
Hi {{FirstName}},
No update on my side since my last note. Still think this could help with {{thing they care about}}, but happy to be wrong.
Should I
- send over a few times for a quick call, or
- pause this for now?
Reply with 1 or 2.
Thanks,
{{YourName}}
That “happy to be wrong” line works wonders for certain audiences. It indicates that you're not clinging too tightly to your pitch and also invites a correction, which is typically easier than making a commitment.
Alternatively, you could replace it with something even simpler like:
“Still relevant on your side?”
However, in reality, the numbered choice is doing most of the heavy lifting here.
For more in-depth strategies on crafting effective follow-up emails, consider exploring this complete guide.
When to send it (timing matters, but not the way people think)
A good default sequence for outbound or cold follow up is:
- Day 0: initial email
- Day 2: quick follow up with one additional detail or angle
- Day 6 or 7: the “no update” follow up
- Day 12 to 14: breakup style follow up (more on that below)
If you are following up after a meeting or after they said “reach back out in a few weeks”, you can use the same structure, just slower. Put the “no update” message at the moment you would normally start feeling awkward.
That is usually when it works best.
The biggest mistake: turning “No update” into a novel
People ruin this by adding fluff:
- “Hope you are doing well”
- “I know you’re busy”
- “Wanted to see if you had a chance to review”
- “Following up on the email below”
- “Any feedback would be appreciated”
You can include a greeting, sure. You can be polite. But keep the email tight.
If it is longer than the original email, it feels like pressure.
This follow up wins because it is light.
Variations that work (pick one based on the situation)
Here are a few versions I use depending on what is happening in the deal.
1) The calendar version (for people who like specifics)
Subject: No update on my side
Hi {{FirstName}},
No update on my side. Want me to send 2 or 3 times for next week, or pause this?
If helpful, I can do Tue 10:00am or Thu 2:00pm {{TimeZone}}.
Reply “times” or “pause”.
Thanks,
{{YourName}}
This works well when you already earned some interest and the only problem is scheduling friction.
2) The “wrong person” version (great for enterprise)
Subject: Quick check
Hi {{FirstName}},
No update on my side. Quick check, are you the right person for {{problem}} or should I speak with someone else?
Either way is helpful.
Thanks,
{{YourName}}
This gives them a face saving way to respond. They can redirect you without “rejecting” you.
3) The “priority” version (for timing objections)
Subject: Still a priority?
Hi {{FirstName}},
No update from me, just checking if improving {{specific outcome}} is still a priority this quarter.
If yes, I can send a few times to chat. If not, I will close this out.
Thanks,
{{YourName}}
This invites a clean no. And clean nos are valuable. You stop wasting pipeline oxygen.
What to do if they reply “2” (pause)
If they pick the pause option, do not fumble it by trying to pull them back in immediately.
You say:
Totally makes sense. When would you like me to re surface this, and what should be different then?
That is it.
If they give you a month, put it in the CRM. If they say “Q3”, confirm you will reach out early Q3. Then actually do it.
This is where founder led sales often goes sideways. Founders keep everything in their heads. Then nobody follows up at the right time. Then the pipeline feels “random”.
If you are building a real sales engine, this is exactly the kind of repeatable behavior you want documented in your playbook and baked into sequences.
That is one of the things we do inside the 90 Day Method at David Consulting Services. Turn the founder’s instincts into something the team can run without guessing. Follow ups, stages, exit criteria, the whole thing. Not glamorous. Very effective.
What to do if they do not reply
If they ignore the “no update” email, you have earned the right to send a breakup email. Not the dramatic kind. The calm kind.
Here is the version that does not burn bridges:
Subject: Should I close this out?
Hi {{FirstName}},
I have not heard back, so I am going to assume timing is not right.
I will close this out on my side. If you want to revisit later, just reply “restart” and I will send some times.
Thanks,
{{YourName}}
Again, you are making the response easy. One word.
And if they never respond, fine. You move on with a clean CRM and a cleaner mind.
Why this matters even more once you hire reps
When it is just you, you can survive with messy follow ups. You remember the context. You can freestyle.
But when you hire your first 1 to 3 reps, this stuff becomes a system problem.
- Reps follow up too much and sound needy
- Or they do not follow up enough and deals die quietly
- Or they follow up with vague “checking in” messages that get ghosted
A simple “no update” follow up, standardized, solves a lot of that. It is also easy to coach.
You can literally listen to calls, review threads, and say: “Use the 1 or 2 close the loop email here.”
That is sales management. Not just motivation.
Quick checklist before you hit send
Before you send your “no update” follow up, check these:
- Did I give them a simple choice?
- Is the reply doable in under 5 seconds?
- Did I remove blame and guilt from the tone?
- Did I avoid adding extra paragraphs that create pressure?
- Did I make it clear that “pause” is acceptable?
If yes, send.
And then stop staring at the inbox. Let it work.
A final note (because people ask)
Yes, you can use this on warm leads. You can use it on cold leads. You can use it after a demo when the next step is stuck. You can use it after procurement goes silent. You can even use it internally when someone is dragging their feet.
It is not a hack. It is just clean communication.
If you're looking for more insights into effective communication strategies that can help turn follow ups and pipeline movement into something your whole team can run consistently, consider exploring David Consulting Services and the 90 Day Method here: https://www.davidconsulting.services. This approach applies a simple, documented, and coachable philosophy to the entire sales motion.
Moreover, these communication principles could also be beneficial in personal scenarios, such as during job interviews. For instance, one user shared their experience of interviewing for their dream job and how they utilized certain strategies to navigate through it successfully on a Reddit thread. Such experiences highlight the effectiveness of clear and concise communication in various aspects of life.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why do most follow-up emails fail to get responses?
Most follow-up emails fail because they require the prospect to do work: remembering who you are, finding the previous thread, deciding how to respond, and taking a social risk. Even if they like you or the timing is right, this effort causes many to stall or ignore the message.
What is the real goal of a follow-up email?
The real goal of a follow-up is not just to check in or remind, but to make a decision request. You want the prospect to choose one of three options: 1) proceed with the next step, 2) pause and be reminded later, or 3) say no with reasons. Making all three options feel safe encourages honest and timely responses.
What makes a 'No Update' follow-up email effective?
A 'No Update' follow-up works because it is honest, respectful, and lowers cognitive load. It clearly states that there’s no new information but still offers easy choices for the prospect to respond with minimal effort. This transparency signals confidence and reduces social friction, increasing reply rates.
Can you provide an example template for a successful 'No Update' follow-up email?
Yes. Here's a simple template:
Subject: No update on my side
Hi {{FirstName}},
No update on my side since my last note, just wanted to close the loop. Should I 1) send over a few times for a quick call, or 2) pause this for now? Either is totally fine. Just reply with 1 or 2.
Thanks, {{YourName}}
This format gives prospects an easy way to respond without pressure.
Why is starting a follow-up email with 'No update on my side' beneficial?
'No update on my side' signals transparency and honesty, reducing pressure on the recipient to provide lengthy explanations. It frames the email as housekeeping rather than chasing and avoids defensive reactions caused by phrases like 'Did you see this?' This human approach makes responding easier and more natural.
How can adding context improve your follow-up emails?
Adding a single contextual line tailored to what the prospect cares about can improve engagement. For example: 'Still think this could help with {{thing they care about}}, but happy to be wrong.' This shows flexibility and invites correction rather than commitment, making it easier for prospects to reply while keeping your pitch relevant.
