The 48-Hour Lead Follow-Up

What you'll need

• Who the lead is and the specific thing they were interested in
• When and how you last spoke, and what was said
• Your business name and what you do
• Any AI chat assistant (Claude, ChatGPT, and the like)

The steps

1. Before you start: jot down the one specific thing this lead cared about. A follow-up that references their actual situation beats a generic "just checking in" every time.
2. Note when you last spoke and what was said, so the email picks up naturally where you left off.
3. Paste the prompt below, fill in the brackets, and send the first follow-up within 48 hours — while you're still fresh in their mind.
4. Still quiet after a few days? Use the follow-up prompt below for a softer second touch — and a graceful way to close the loop if they're not ready.

You're helping me write a short, warm follow-up email to a lead who hasn't replied yet.

My business: [your business name + what you do]
Lead: [name]
What they were interested in: [product/service + any specific need they mentioned]
Last contact: [when + what was said]

Write a friendly, low-pressure follow-up under 90 words. Open by referencing the specific thing they cared about (not a generic "just checking in"). Give one concrete reason to move forward now, and end with an easy yes/no question they can answer in one line. Sound like a helpful human, not a salesperson.

Still no reply after [X days]. Write a second, even lighter follow-up — under 70 words.

Lead with something genuinely useful (a quick tip, a relevant example, or an offer to answer one question), not another ask. At the end, give them a graceful out — something like "totally fine if the timing isn't right, just let me know either way." Keep the door open without chasing.

What you'll get

A first follow-up that sounds like you actually remember them — and a softer second touch that leads with value instead of pressure. Together they turn quiet leads into replies, and let the ones who aren't ready bow out gracefully, so you stop wondering.

If it's not quite right

• Sounds salesy? Add "No marketing language. Write it like a quick note to a friend who happens to be a customer."
• Too generic? You probably didn't give it the specific detail they cared about — add that one line and run it again.
• Not sure of the "reason to move forward"? Ask the AI to suggest three, then pick the most honest one.
• Want it shorter? Add "Two sentences max." Short follow-ups often get the fastest replies.