01 Apr How Do I Follow Up Without Being a Nuisance?
“My phone weighs 10 tons. I just can’t bring myself to pick up the phone and follow up with people.” If you have ever felt like this, you need to change how you think about following up.
Most of the time, when people are afraid to follow up with someone, they do not want to be a bother. If follow up is done well, you should not be a bother. If you call someone with the attitude of being a nuisance, you will most likely come across that way. Past and current clients are the easiest to follow up with because you can check in with them to find out how they are liking whatever it is that you offer. It is important to know what they purchased from you in the past and what their interests are. Be sure to let them know about any new products or services that might be of interest to them. If you do this genuinely, because they may want or need what you have to offer, it really should not come across as pushy or annoying. It comes across as professional and helpful.
Following up with someone you just met, say at a networking event, and you do not know anything about them, can be more challenging. However, resources like Linked In and Google can be helpful in learning more about them before you reach out to them. See if you can find anything you have in common. Also, I have found it very effective to figure out what YOU can do for THEM, instead of what you want from them. See if you can give THEM a lead on some business or even an outside interest of theirs.
The main way to make follow up easier is to stop approaching someone as if they have a dollar sign on their forehead. Be genuine and relaxed, offer them what you think they need, and see what you can do for THEM.
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