Follow-Up Communication Tips

I tracked all fundraising activity for one year so you didn't have to. Here is what I found: - A substantive, in-person visit with a donor resulted in gifts 5x larger than donors who only corresponded via phone calls or emails. - It took roughly 12 touchpoints to secure a visit with a donor. That is a high number, but pretty characteristic of human services. - Each handwritten card sent produced 1,169x more value than it cost. - Response rate increased dramatically with a voicemail + email combination. - Gifts from DAFs, gifts of stock, and gifts from RMDs became more popular only as donors were informed that those were giving options. Here is what this means: - Meet in person with donors as much as humanly possible - Make as many attempts as possible to schedule visits with donors - Write handwritten cards. Like, right now. - Reach out to donors with a multi-channel approach (DM me if you'd like to see a call, email, +handwritten card cadence) - Donors don't always know how to maximize their generosity unless you tell them. Inform them of their options if they give you permission! Ultimately, provide value to your org's donors and watch as generosity unfolds for the benefit of the people your org serves!

I was shadowing a coaching client in her leadership meeting when I watched this brilliant woman apologize six times in 30 minutes. 1. “Sorry, this might be off-topic, but..." 2. “I'm could be wrong, but what if we..." 3. “Sorry again, I know we're running short on time..." 4. “I don't want to step on anyone's toes, but..." 5. “This is just my opinion, but..." 6. “Sorry if I'm being too pushy..." Her ideas? They were game-changing. Every single one. Here's what I've learned after decades of coaching women leaders: Women are masterful at reading the room and keeping everyone comfortable. It's a superpower. But when we consistently prioritize others' comfort over our own voice, we rob ourselves, and our teams, of our full contribution. The alternative isn't to become aggressive or dismissive. It's to practice “gracious assertion": • Replace "Sorry to interrupt" with "I'd like to add to that" • Replace "This might be stupid, but..." with "Here's another perspective" • Replace "I hope this makes sense" with "Let me know what questions you have" • Replace "I don't want to step on toes" with "I have a different approach" • Replace "This is just my opinion" with "Based on my experience" • Replace "Sorry if I'm being pushy" with "I feel strongly about this because" But how do you know if you're hitting the right note? Ask yourself these three questions: • Am I stating my needs clearly while respecting others' perspectives? (Assertive) • Am I dismissing others' input or bulldozing through objections? (Aggressive) • Am I hinting at what I want instead of directly asking for it? (Passive-aggressive) You can be considerate AND confident. You can make space for others AND take up space yourself. Your comfort matters too. Your voice matters too. Your ideas matter too. And most importantly, YOU matter. @she.shines.inc #Womenleaders #Confidence #selfadvocacy

"Let me know if you have any questions." "Happy to discuss further." "Looking forward to your thoughts." Every time you end a follow-up with these wimpy closes, you're asking busy executives to do work they won't do. They're not going to think of questions. They're not going to schedule a follow-up call. They're not going to send you their thoughts. They're going to delete your email and move on with their actual job. The fix is making the next step so easy that a drunk executive could do it. Instead of "let me know if you have questions," embed your calendar link directly in the email. One click to book time. Instead of "happy to discuss further," Create a simple yes/no decision box: "Ready to see the ROI calculation? Yes | No" Instead of hoping they'll respond with their availability, give them three specific time slots to choose from. The most powerful follow-up technique? Use their exact words from your call. When Jessica said she's "bleeding money on software licenses," don't paraphrase it. Quote it exactly. Reference her Thursday board meeting. Add one insight she didn't know. There's nothing more impossible to ignore than hearing your own words reflected back with new value attached. Your generic templates sound like every other vendor they're ghosting. But your personalized follow-ups that reference specific moments from your conversation get responses. Stop making prospects do the work of figuring out next steps. Start making it obvious how they move forward. Every follow-up is life or death for your deal. Most AEs are committing suicide with their own emails. Don’t be like most AEs.

A lot of the value of attending or speaking at a conference doesn’t come from being there. It comes from what you do afterwards. How many times have you come back from a conference or event and thought, “I should’ve done more to maximize that experience”? Not just attending the sessions or showing up at the networking receptions, but turning it into something meaningful for your visibility, your relationships and your business development efforts. Me too 🙋🏼♀️ It’s easy to get caught up in our busy lives, especially after returning from a conference and then move on to the next thing without following up. What you proactively do after the event is what can turn conversations into relationships and visibility into opportunity. Here are some ways to make the most of attending your next conference: ✔️ Prioritize the people you met and follow up with context on LinkedIn or by email, referencing your conversation and suggesting a clear next step ✔️ Follow up with organizers to share feedback and express interest in speaking or getting involved in future programming ✔️ Turn your conference notes into key takeaways and share them as content (LinkedIn post, blog post or short video) connected to your work, your clients or what you’re seeing in the market ✔️ Host your own webinar to recap key themes and extend the conversation ✔️ Interview speakers or attendees whose perspectives stood out and use that content in a webinar, blog post or on social media ✔️ Host an internal recap to share key insights and connect them to your team’s work ✔️ Turn questions or conversations from the event into content or targeted outreach ✔️ Share insights from the event in an email newsletter ✔️ Add relevant new contacts to your email list so you can stay visible with them ✔️ Create a simple system to stay in touch with the people who matter most ✔️ Review the attendee list and reach out to people you didn’t meet ✔️ Follow up with speakers you admired, even if you didn’t connect in person ✔️ Identify one trend or theme you kept hearing across conversations and proactively share that perspective with clients or colleagues You already put in the time and energy to be there. This is how you carry that momentum forward. Which of these ideas resonated most with you? #LegalMarketing #ClientDevelopment #LinkedInTips #BusinessDevelopment #PersonalBrandingTips

I used to believe that being assertive meant being aggressive. The reality is that you can both assert yourself and be kind. 5 proven tips to be more assertive (without being aggressive): 1/ Express your needs and wants clearly Why: Being direct and honest about your needs helps others understand your perspective and enables them to respond appropriately. It demonstrates self-respect and confidence in your own opinions and feelings. How: "I appreciate your input on this project, but I strongly believe we should take a different approach. Focusing on user experience will lead to better conversion. Can we discuss how we can incorporate both of our ideas?" 2/ Use "I" statements to communicate your perspective Why: "I" statements help you take ownership of your thoughts and feelings without placing blame or making accusations. They create a non-confrontational atmosphere that encourages open dialogue and mutual understanding. How: "I appreciate the effort you've put into this presentation, but I have some concerns about the accuracy of the data. I suggest we review the sources together and make any necessary updates to strengthen our case." 3/ Practice active listening and seek to understand others Why: Active listening demonstrates that you value others' perspectives and are willing to engage in a two-way conversation. It helps build trust and rapport, making it easier to find mutually beneficial outcomes. How: "I hear your concerns about the proposed changes to our team structure. Can you tell me more about how these changes will impact your work? I want to ensure that we address any potential issues." 4/ Offer solutions Why: Offering solutions rather than simply stating problems demonstrates your willingness to work collaboratively and find mutually beneficial outcomes. How: "I understand that you want to launch the new feature as soon as possible, but I have concerns about the current timeline. What if we break the launch into two phases? We can release the core functionality in the first phase and then add the additional enhancements in the second phase. This way, we can meet the initial deadline while ensuring the quality of the final product." 5/ Learn to say "No" when necessary Why: Saying "no" to unreasonable requests or demands demonstrates self-respect and helps you maintain control over your time and resources. It also helps prevent burnout and enables you to focus on your priorities. How: "I appreciate you considering me for this new project, but unfortunately, I don't have the capacity to take on additional work at the moment. I'm committed to delivering high-quality results on my current projects, and taking on more would compromise this. Can we revisit this opportunity in a few weeks when my workload is more manageable?" What’s one thing that helped you become more assertive? PS: Assertiveness is a form of self-care that also nurtures healthy, respectful relationships with others. Image Credit: Jenny Nurick

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗮 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱? You’re not alone. I have been there too. Getting ghosted after an interview is more painful than being rejected. However, it shouldn't disrupt your job search. You need to apply the right strategies to keep going. Here are some strategic ways to handle it:  1/ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: After an interview, send a thank-you email. If you don't hear back by the expected date, reply with a polite inquiry about the hiring timeline. 2/ 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀: Use the silence as a chance to reflect on your interview performance. Identify areas of improvement for future interviews. 3/ 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘁: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Continue applying to other jobs and maintaining your job search momentum. 4/ 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: If possible, connect with someone from the interview panel or the HR department to get constructive feedback, even if they haven’t contacted you. 5/ 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻: Engage with professional networks and industry communities to stay informed and connected, which can lead to new opportunities. 6/ 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲: Experiencing job ghosting can affect confidence. Invest time in self-care and activities that boost your morale and self-esteem. Focusing on these practical steps allows you to navigate the ghosting experience thoughtfully, potentially opening new doors even when others remain closed. Tell me your thoughts. Have you ever been ghosted?

90% of conversations cover the same 3 boring topics. So I created a 'story toolbox' that turns mundane small talk into memorable discussions (and it changes how people perceive them): Certain topics inevitably come up in almost every conversation: • Weather (Is it hot enough for you?)  • Traffic (The 405 was awful today!)  • Where you're from (Oh, you're from Chicago? I’ve been to the airport.) Instead of giving generic responses that kill conversations, I have 1 interesting story, fact, or trivia for each of these predictable moments. I call this the “story toolbox”. For example: In Los Angeles, people say "the 101" or "the 5" when referring to highways. It's the only place in America with this speech pattern. Now when traffic comes up, you can ask "Are you a 'the' person with highways?" It instantly creates connection and a more engaging discussion. The magic happens when you shift from basic small talk to something genuinely interesting. It completely changes how people perceive you: from forgettable to memorable. I've created a note in my phone called "Story Toolbox" with categories for common conversation topics. I'm constantly adding new material and rotating out stories I've used too often. The beauty of this approach: it works because 80-90% of our conversations follow predictable patterns. We all talk about the same topics, but few people come prepared with something interesting to say. Try it this week. Pick the 3 most common topics in your world and prepare one great story for each. Then watch as your conversations transform from forgettable to fascinating.

One thing 99% of candidates never do after their interview and it costs them the offer every time… They never send a real, impactful follow-up. My student, a complete fresher, was competing against candidates with more experience. After weeks of rejections and silence, he got his YES from a top MNC. Because he did this ONE thing 99% ignore: he sent a follow-up message that showed genuine interest, real value, and absolute intent. Why does this matter? According to LinkedIn’s research, candidates who follow up within 24 hours are 50% more likely to receive a positive response. But almost no one does it well. 👉 Here’s the exact type of follow-up I teach my students to send (that actually works): Subject: Thank you for the opportunity Hi [Interviewer’s Name], Thank you for meeting with me today. Our discussion about [specific project, e.g., Infosys’ new fintech initiatives] made me even more excited about the possibility of joining your team. I wanted to add a quick thought: Given my experience leading my college’s coding club and developing a payments app for over 2,000 users, I believe I can quickly add value to [Company]’s [specific goal or project]. If there are any further steps I can complete or details I can provide, please let me know. Looking forward to the next steps! Best, [Your Name] Why did this work? 1️⃣ It’s specific (mentions a company project or problem). 2️⃣ It ties the candidate’s unique value directly to the company. 3️⃣ It’s proactive and genuine, not “just checking in.” The post-interview silence is where most opportunities die. But also where a single message can reopen the door. 💡 My tips for you: ➡️ Always send a tailored follow-up within 24 hours. ➡ Reference the interview and your own strengths — show you remember, you care, you fit. ➡ Keep it short, real, and focused on THEM (not just you). If you want to turn interviews into offers, don’t just prepare for the questions. Own the moments after you leave the room. #interview #interviewtips #interviewpreparation #careergrowth

Maybe you're being ghosted, or maybe you have no idea how to follow up with a recruiter. Either way, you’re in the most exhausting part of the job search: the waiting. Now that the interview is over, you’re refreshing your inbox, waiting for a sign. Days pass, then a week or two. You replay your answers, wondering if they disliked your cover letter or found you too intense. You worry about seeming too eager if you follow up or disinterested if you don’t. You write a message, delete it, and check their LinkedIn, hoping for clues about your status. In my book, I tell people to use a system I call 6–6–6. It’s not magic. It won’t get you the job if they’ve already made up their mind. But it will give you structure. And when you’re in limbo, structure is everything. Here’s how it works: If the recruiter or hiring manager doesn’t follow up when they said they would, you follow up three times. Each time, you wait six days in between. Then you let it go. Not six hours. Not two days. Six days. Enough time for them to catch up. Enough time for you to reset. Enough time to remind your nervous system that this is just a process, not a judgment on your worth. I like this system because it helps people manage their energy. You don’t waste ten days second-guessing your tone or wondering if you should circle back “one more time.” You set a timeline for yourself, and then you stick to it. You don’t keep following up forever. You follow up like a professional: three times, six days apart, then move on. Sometimes people ask, “But what if they respond after the third message?” Great. Then you respond. The 6–6–6 rule isn’t about closing doors—it’s about protecting your time. You don’t owe a company infinite access to your attention. You don’t keep begging just because they haven’t said no. You don’t sit in inbox purgatory hoping for validation. If they want to hire you, they’ll tell you. And if they don’t? You’ve reclaimed your momentum. Silence during the job search doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It just means you’re between inputs. Between the ask and the answer. And instead of letting that space consume you, you can fill it with structure, strategy, and the reminder that waiting is work, too. So, if you’re stuck in the post-interview void, try the 6–6–6 method. Not to get the job. To get your life back.

THANK YOU EMAILS MATTER. Job seekers will say they don't. But people who have seen hiring at scale will say they do. Sure, they don't make the difference every time. But a thank-you note signals: 🍊You’re thoughtful 🍊You’re interested in this role (seriously...this isn't assumed) 🍊You value their time and the opportunity Let’s be honest: most people have to jobs they didn’t actually want. Hiring teams know this too. So when you don’t show interest, they notice. The thank-you email doesn’t have to be long or fancy. It just needs to say something like: “Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me yesterday. I enjoyed our conversation and I’m excited about the opportunity. I hope to continue the conversation.” 🍊 Send it within 24 hours 🍊 Personalize it 🍊Keep it genuine and simple This is NOT about continuing to sell you skills, it's about connecting. It’s one of the easiest ways to stand out, and it still works. Make it a habit. Your future self (with a job offer in hand) will thank you. PS: I've linked my follow up email templates in the comments below to make following up in the job search, beyond thank you emails, easy for you too! You'll get 4 email templates, with different templates for contacting the recruiter/HR and the hiring manager. A 3-minute email could be the reason you move to the next round. Don’t leave that kind of leverage on the table. #jobsearch #jobseekers #hr