How to follow up with someone
Oh, hi friends!
Do you need to follow up with someone?
Maybe a coworker, that HR person who interviewed you, an editor who’s ghosting you?
Here’s how I do it. I try to create a low-pressure environment but also communicate a sense of urgency or time sensitivity, and/or ask a question. A basic “Just checking in on this!” dooms your email to inbox quicksand. Here's one example:
Hi NAME,
I wanted to see if this strikes your interest at all, as I'm looking to move forward with this piece either way and would love to write it for you.
Or something like:
Hi NAME,
Checking in on this timely pitch! Do you need any more details? Looking forward to hearing back from you!
Feel free to use them if it sounds like something you'd say.
And if you are hesitating on following up, trust me—pressing send makes you feel like a million bucks.
Photo by Fancycrave on Unsplash
“Get to know your body to understand its needs. When I look at a menu, I say, ‘What does my body need?’ rather than, ‘What does my mind want?’ Begin to know that it is the center of your life.”
***
She's right. My mind always answers “Sandwichtoastburger"
Love this old Atlantic story about Deborah Szekely, who has advice on how to live into your 90s.
Sharon Jones. What a voice. (Sadly, she died in 2016 from pancreatic cancer. Her songs live on.)
Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara