Keep getting ghosted after sending a follow up? I found a simple fix

Last month I sent out 14 pitch emails to local shops in Portland and got replies from maybe 3. My follow up was just a quick 'checking in' note, and nothing came back. Then I tried adding a specific question about their busy season or a small tip related to their business, and 5 out of 6 replied within a day. Why do people still send those generic nudges when adding one concrete detail makes such a big difference? Has anyone else tested different follow up lengths or angles and seen a clear winner?

2 comments

2 Comments

laura_wilson19d ago

Portland has 47 coffee shops within a two mile radius of my apartment so I get the struggle. @abbyhall makes a good point about timing but I call bs on the "polite reply" theory because I've had owners answer my specific question and then actually place an order two weeks later. The generic 'checking in' note is like texting someone "hey" at 2am, nobody wants to deal with that energy. My test showed adding one concrete detail about their window display or a menu item they posted about got way more replies than any length change. Sure some might just be being nice but a fake win still gets your foot in the door, and you can't close a deal if you're not even in the room. Desperation is only an issue if you beg, asking a smart question just makes you look like you did your homework.

abbyhall19d ago

Those 5 out of 6 replies could be pure luck or timing, honestly. Maybe those shops happened to check their email that day, or they were already planning to answer and your follow up just hit at the right moment. The generic check in gets ignored because it's easy to ignore, but a busy owner might reply to a specific question just to be polite, not because they actually want your service. That's a fake win if they answer but never buy anything. Also, shorter pitches often work better because people skim, so cramming a detail in there might backfire if it feels pushy or too researched. Real talk, sometimes getting ghosted is the answer, and chasing it with a clever follow up just makes you look desperate. Let the sale come to you instead of poking every store with a sharp stick.