Why follow-ups often miss the mark
A common mistake is sending the same generic message—“Any updates?”—without knowing whether the client has even opened the quote. Effective follow-up considers whether they have viewed it and how long remains before it expires.
Steps
1. Send the first follow-up after 48 to 72 hours
If the client has not responded, a short message asking whether they have questions about the scope or price opens the conversation without applying pressure.
2. If the client viewed the quote but did not respond
If your tool provides view information, you can acknowledge that they reviewed the quote and ask whether there is anything specific to clarify before they decide.
3. Send a second follow-up near expiry
Two or three days before the quote expires, a reminder with an explicit deadline helps keep the decision from being postponed indefinitely.
4. Close the loop if there is no response after expiry
A final, brief message leaving the door open to revisit the project later closes the cycle without damaging the business relationship.
Follow-up message examples
Three different moments in the same deal:
- After 48 hours: “Hi Marta, I wanted to confirm that you received the quote for the website redesign. Is there anything about the scope or pricing you would like to review?”
- Viewed, with no response: “I saw that you reviewed the quote. If you have any specific questions about the line items or schedule, I would be happy to go through them before we move forward.”
- Near expiry: “The quote expires in two days. If you need more time or any adjustments, please let me know and we can discuss them.”