Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up

Following up seems annoying. It feels like you're knocking on a door that was already shut.

As uncomfortable as it may be, following up is crucial to getting responses.

The people you're emailing aren’t ignoring you—they’re just busy. Your message isn’t a priority. It’s buried under a pile of other emails, meetings, and deadlines.

However, this is not to say they don’t care. It's to say that you need to follow up. 

In speaking with an incoming IB analyst at Rothschild & Co, most of his successful cold email responses came from the first or second follow-up. He even noted that some bankers would rather respond to a follow up than the first email, as it shows persistence.

A good rule of thumb: wait a week, follow up. If no response, wait another week, follow up again. If still no response, move on.

You can rely on your memory, but if that fails, try using the reminders app or the android equivalent (whatever that is).

If you can’t shake the feeling of being a burden, remind yourself: you’re not annoying—you’re giving them a second chance to say yes.

Most people appreciate the reminder. A polite follow-up isn’t annoying – it’s how things get done. And without one, you’re shutting the door on yourself.