The #1 Sales Tip Most Small Businesses Ignore: Follow Up
If you’re running a small business or building your brand as a solopreneur, you’re probably juggling a hundred things every day. Marketing, emails, social media, fulfillment; it’s easy to overlook simple things. But there’s one habit that costs you more customers than you realize:
Not following up.
This small act—often skipped or delayed—can be the difference between getting the sale or getting ghosted. And yet, it’s the first thing most small business owners neglect.
Let’s fix that.
Why Follow-Up Matters (More Than You Think)
People are busy. Even if they’re interested, they forget. They get distracted. Their dog barks. Their kid yells. A new email pops up.
That “almost customer” might be waiting for a nudge. When you follow up, you show professionalism, reliability, and confidence. It says, “Hey, I didn’t forget about you—and I care about earning your business.”
Real-World Example
A local freelance graphic designer sent out 5 quotes for logo work one week. Only one person replied. Instead of waiting and wondering, she followed up with the other four a few days later with a simple message:
“Hi [Name], just checking in to see if you had any questions about the quote I sent over. I’d love to help bring your logo to life!”
Two responded. One hired her.
That one follow-up email turned a lost lead into a paid project.
Key Takeaways for Solopreneurs and Small Business Owners
- Most people don’t make a decision right away. Your follow-up helps tip the scale.
- Following up shows you care. It builds trust.
- Many buyers need 5-7 touches before buying. That means one message isn’t enough.
Action Steps: Build a Simple System
You don’t need fancy tools or software. Just a process.
Here’s a simple way to make follow-ups part of your routine:
- Track all leads in a Google Sheet or CRM (like Notion).
- Set a reminder 2-3 days after the initial contact to follow up.
- Use templates for follow-up emails or messages (keep them warm, not pushy).
- Schedule a second follow-up 5–7 days later if there’s still no reply.
- Stop after 2-3 tries. Respect their space, but don’t give up too soon.
Sample Follow-Up Email Template
Subject: Just checking in
Hi [First Name], I wanted to follow up on the message I sent earlier this week. I know things get busy, so I just wanted to see if you had any questions or needed anything else from me to move forward.
I’d love the opportunity to work with you. Let me know how I can help!
Best, [Your Name]
Final Thought
You don’t need to be a master salesperson to grow your business. You just need to care enough to follow up.
So before you chase new leads, take five minutes to revisit the ones you’ve already earned. A second message might be all it takes.
The fortune’s in the follow-up. Don’t leave it on the table.
You're probably leaving money on the table. Most solopreneurs lose sales by not following up. A simple message can turn a 'maybe' into a 'yes.' Follow up. Every time. Share on X
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