The Sales Follow-Up: 10 Essential Phrases

In sales, the fortune is in the follow-up. After a great meeting or a promising conversation, a skillful follow-up can be the difference between a closed deal and a missed opportunity. However, it's a delicate balance between being persistent and being pushy. Using the right language is key.

This guide provides 10 essential phrases to help you craft professional and effective follow-up communications. To master these and other critical sales terms, check out the specialized decks in the BizVoc app.

Key Sales Follow-Up Phrases

• "Following up on our conversation..."

  When to use: The first follow-up after a meeting or call. It's direct, professional, and references your prior interaction.

  "Hi [Name], Following up on our conversation last Tuesday, I've attached the case study we discussed."
• "Just checking in..."

  When to use: A gentle, low-pressure nudge after some time has passed with no response. It's friendly and informal.

  "Hi [Name], Just checking in to see if you've had a chance to review the proposal I sent over last week."
• "Have you had a chance to...?"

  When to use: A polite way to ask for an update on a specific item, like reviewing a document or discussing with their team.

  "Have you had a chance to discuss the quote with your finance department?"
• "Do you have any questions about...?"

  When to use: To open the door for conversation and address any potential obstacles or uncertainties the prospect might have.

  "Do you have any questions about the implementation process I outlined in the proposal?"
• "What are the next steps on your end?"

  When to use: To clarify the process and understand what needs to happen for the deal to move forward. It puts the ball in their court.

  "Thanks for the positive feedback. To keep things moving, what are the next steps on your end?"
• "Circling back on this..."

  When to use: A professional alternative to "just checking in," often used for a second or third follow-up.

  "Hi [Name], Circling back on this to see if it's still a priority for your team this quarter."
• "I wanted to share something I thought you'd find valuable."

  When to use: To follow up without directly asking for an update. Provide value by sharing a relevant article, report, or insight.

  "I came across this industry report on [Topic] and thought you'd find it valuable. It relates to the challenge we discussed."
• "Is there a better time to reconnect?"

  When to use: When you suspect the timing might be off. It shows respect for their schedule and keeps the door open.

  "I know you mentioned things were busy. Is there a better time to reconnect next month?"
• "Just wanted to float this to the top of your inbox."

  When to use: A friendly, transparent way to bump your previous email, acknowledging that they are likely busy.

  "Hi [Name], Just wanted to float this to the top of your inbox in case it got buried last week."
• "Before I close your file..."

  When to use: A final attempt to get a response after multiple follow-ups have gone unanswered. It creates a sense of urgency without being aggressive.

  "I haven't heard back from you, so I'll assume your priorities have shifted. Before I close your file, I wanted to check in one last time."

Follow Up with Finesse

The right follow-up phrase can re-engage a prospect, clarify next steps, and build a stronger professional relationship. By choosing your words carefully, you can stay persistent while remaining respectful and helpful.

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