Professional networking is integral to your business so getting your email networking follow-ups right is crucial.
Whether you’ve started an outreach campaign to begin to build your PR network or you’ve attended a networking event/career fair (or going to meet at an upcoming event) or meeting and want to continue to work on your relationships, knowing how to follow up will get you results.
You’ve come to the right place to learn how to do it; we’ve put together a range of follow-up email templates that are fully editable and ready for you to use.
We’ve got templates that will:
- Help you build on existing relationships
- Hone your digital PR strategy
- Create productive collaborations
And ensure that what comes after your networking email subject line yields strong results.
Let’s start with our first set of email templates.
Author’s Note: When we use parentheses – (example) – we’re indicating that this field has to be filled in by you — the person who sends the email — before sending. When we use braces – {example} – we’re indicating that this field is a variable, meaning that it has to be adjusted based on the prospect you’re reaching out to.
- Category #1: Relationship-Building Follow-Up Email Templates
- Category #2: Influencer Outreach Follow-Up Email Templates
- Category #3: Digital PR Follow-Up Email Templates
- Category #4: Collaboration Follow-Up Email Templates
- Category #5: Meeting or Call Request Follow-Up Email Templates
- Category #6: Sales Follow-Up Email Templates
- The Components of a Successful Networking Follow-Up Email
- Now Over to You
Link building cheat sheet
Category #1: Relationship-Building Follow-Up Email Templates
Kicking off a meaningful relationship can be difficult when the person you want to connect with is a busy person.
If you’ve already reached out to someone to start to create a business relationship and they’ve not had a chance to get back to you, it’s time to send a follow-up.
You don’t want to ask anything of the person you’re contacting – you’re simply dropping them a message to continue the relationship that’s already been established.
Here are some follow-up email templates you can use to keep building your business relationships.
Networking Email Template #1: The congratulatory one
Subject: Re: subject
Hey {first_name},
(Name) here from (Company).
Just wanted to follow up after the conversation we had a few months ago and say congrats on putting together the {something noteworthy}.
I know that this must mean a lot to you as the {position} in the company.
Keep it up, I’m really looking forward to seeing you achieving more things moving forward.
Best,
(Your name)
Use case:
Use this networking email when a person you’ve already started to build a relationship with achieves something for their business.
What to pay attention to:
Add some detail about their key accomplishment – you should be able to find relevant information on their LinkedIn profile, for example.
Template #2: The “I like your work” one
Subject: Re: subject
Hey {first_name},
It’s (your name) again with (Blog name).
As I already noted in my previous email, I’ve been following your blog for a while now and just wanted to say that I really like your writing style.
Since we’re both in the business of creating and publishing content online, I thought it’d be nice to connect.
Thanks,
(Your name)
Use case:
You’ve reached out to a blogger or writer in the past and want to keep lines of communication open.
What to pay attention to:
Be sure to have your social networking handles and contact information in your signature so they can connect with you on different platforms.
Template #3: The “we’ve mentioned you” one
Subject: Re: subject
Hello {first_name},
Just a heads-up that we’ve mentioned your article on {topic} in our latest post.
{Your post’s URL}
Your research is very informative and I’m quite fond of your style, and so is my audience. If you have time, I’d love to hear what you think.
Thank you,
(Your name)
Use case:
You’ve linked back to someone’s blog or mentioned one of their pieces of content and want to let them know why you chose their post.
What to pay attention to:
Your content piece needs to be top-notch so that if they click through, they’ll be proud you included them in your work.
Template #4: The “Thank you” one
Subject: Re: subject
Hey {first_name},
(Your name) again.
Don’t know if you’ve had time to read my previous email but don’t worry if you haven’t.
Wanted to follow up to make sure that you saw that I’ve been following your work for (time period) now and you’re among the people who’ve had the biggest impact on me and my business.
I still keep this phrase in mind every time (related story) happens.
“(Insert quote)”
For all this, I’d like to say thank you!
Keep inspiring us with your stories and articles.
Thanks,
(Your name)
Use case:
Someone you admire has given you quality business or career advice through their work and you want to show them how important their work is to you.
What to pay attention to:
There are lots of personalization points in this email so be sure to really pick one detail that’ll catch the eye of your email recipient.
Time for the next type of email to build your professional network.
Category #2: Influencer Outreach Follow-Up Email Templates
Whether you work with influencers on a regular basis or are just starting your email strategy to reach out to them, you’re going to need to follow up sometimes.
The following email templates work when you’ve already tried to make networking contact and are keen to prompt a reply from the influencer.
Template #5: The “we really want to work with you” one
Subject: Re: subject
Hey {first_name},
It’s (Your name) again from (Company name).
Wanted to follow up to tell you about how much we want to work with you.
It’s interesting to see that your online audience is growing so fast and we definitely want to make you part of our upcoming (type of campaign) campaign.
Let me know how that sounds and we can jump on a call to discuss things further.
Thanks,
(Your name)
Use case:
The first cold email has already been sent to an influencer and you’re keen to get a response with a follow-up.
What to pay attention to:
You’re looking to build a professional relationship so be sure to let them know you’ve got a great opportunity for them.
Template #6: The straightforward influencer outreach one
Subject: Re: subject
Hey there {first_name},
It’s (Your name) again with (Company name).
I reached out to you last (day of the week) to discuss a potential collaboration between us but haven’t heard back.
I understand that producing great content must be time-consuming so thought I’d reach out again to tell you more about the partnership we’re looking to build.
We’re looking for people like you to partner up and help us spread the word about (Company name).
Is that something you’d be interested in?
Let me know how that sounds and we can jump on a call to discuss things further.
Thanks,
(Your name)
Use case:
When you’ve had no response from an influencer and you want to get a really effective follow-up email into their inbox.
What to pay attention to:
Timing – you don’t want to put off your potential new connection with a follow-up too soon after your first outreach.
Let’s jump over to follow-up emails for your digital marketing and PR campaigns.
Category #3: Digital PR Follow-Up Email Templates
Digital PR can encompass a lot of elements, including getting your content and products featured in publications and on other websites and videos.
Pitching your ideas takes time, patience, and following up!
As well as sending your pitch or press release at the right time and on the right day, you need to get your follow-ups just right to prompt a reply.
We’ve got some templates that you can use or personalize for your needs, coming right up.
Template #7: The “we’ve got topics for your audience” one
Subject: Re: subject
Hi {first_name},
We haven’t been able to connect yet regarding my earlier messages but that’s ok — I’m sure it’s a busy time for you.
Let me just leave this here for you in case you get around to it later. I originally wrote to you regarding (subject). We’ve got some really interesting information for your readers, including:
– (Example)
– (Example)
– (Example)
All the details about this particular topic, along with information about us, can be found in our online newsroom, here (add link). We’re ready to help in any way we can if you’d like to learn more.
Thanks again and I hope I can reach out to you the next time we’d like to share information that your readers will find engaging.
(Your name)
Use case:
Use this email when you’re working on making new contacts to get your brand or business noticed.
What to pay attention to:
Give more detail about the relevant content than you did in the first email and match it as close as possible to the recipient’s existing audience.
Template #8: The case study pitch one
Subject: Re: subject
Hi {first_name},
I know you’re super busy and there’s a chance my last email got buried. Regarding the case study I sent over, we have a new, exclusive interview to go along with that.
Some interesting things discussed:
– (Interesting point 1)
– (Interesting point 2)
– (Interesting point 3)
Let me know if you’d like to feature it. I’ll link the case study again here.
Thanks,
(Your name)
Use case:
You’re reaching out to an editor or publisher to tell them about an informational interview that you’ve recently conducted in relation to a case study you’ve pitched in the past weeks.
What to pay attention to:
Read through the email you sent last time and ensure you reinforce the previous pitch with exciting and fresh content.
Template #9: The content promotion one
Subject: Re: subject
Hi {first_name},
Just a friendly follow-up. Were you interested in the article on {topic}? I’m sure your inbox gets bombarded daily, so no hard feelings if you’re too busy. It just got me thinking…
If you saw value in {competitor company’s} article, then you will definitely want a unique take on the topic.
Have a look at our resource here:
(link to resource)
Not trying to get anything from you. Just trying to impress!
Cheers,
(Your name)
Use case:
Your content marketing efforts went unanswered last time, so you’re pitching the resource again and relating it to a competitor.
What to pay attention to:
When comparing your work to a competitor’s, be sure that it’s relevant to the resource you’re pitching about.
Time to see some networking email samples when you’re working on setting up a collaboration.
Category #4: Collaboration Follow-Up Email Templates
Collaborating with companies and brands that are adjacent to your niche can be a great way to build up both you and them.
Setting up a collaboration can take many forms, such as guest posting, creating a podcast episode together, or sharing content to reach each others’ audience.
Whatever your collaboration proposal is, follow up from your first contact with one of these effective follow-up emails.
Template #10: The guest posting one
Subject: Re: subject
Hi {contact name},
Hope this finds you well!
Just a quick follow-up on the email I sent last week.
We’ve put together a list of topics that are missing from your (Company name) blog.
(link to sample list)
My team and I are convinced that covering these topics will help you expand your target audience.
To cut a long story short, because we totally understand how busy you are, we’d love to guest post for you and be your writers for a day – or more!
Can’t wait to hear back from you!
(Your name)
Use case:
A guest post pitch didn’t get an answer the first time, so you’re following up to remind them about your suggestion.
What to pay attention to:
Don’t make it sound like a job search and you want to be their writer – you’re pitching to collaborate on their blog.
Template #11: The “let’s work together” one
Subject: Re: subject
Hi {first_name},
Hope all is well!
Although I haven’t heard from you, I’m convinced that great results could come out of a potential collaboration between us.
I’ve checked your (product/service) on (Google/social media/your website) and I’m confident I could help you with (what you offer).
Let me know if you would be interested in discussing a collaboration between me and your company.
Thanks,
(Your name)
Use case:
After contacting a potential client, you’ve not heard anything back and you want to emphasize the value you can bring to their company.
What to pay attention to:
You’re pitching your services to business owners so try to understand exactly what they offer and what you can bring to the table when you contact them.
Template #12: The content collaboration one
Subject: Re: subject
Hi {first_name},
I’m reaching out again because we’d love to be featured in {article/post name with a link to it}.
We totally think our (content) might be useful for your audience.
If you’re interested, we can discuss the conditions of this collaboration via email or phone – whichever works best for you.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks,
(Your name)
Use case:
There’s a post or resource that your content would work perfectly in, and you want to suggest an online business meeting or discussion to set up a collaboration.
What to pay attention to:
Check if the company you’re pitching to have done content collaborations before so you know they’re open to your suggestion.
Template #13: The straightforward collaboration pitch one
Subject: Re: subject
Hi {first_name},
I know you’re very selective about the companies you work with, that’s why I only wanted to reach out to assure you that the co-marketing I’m offering will bring a lot of value to you and your audience.
Here are a few examples of our recent successful collaborations with high-authority resources:
– (Example)
– (Example)
Looking forward to your response,
(Your name)
Use case:
You simply want to make a good first impression and give your ideas about collaborating with the recipient’s company.
What to pay attention to:
Present your best quality, recent collaborations to really show the value you can offer.
Template #14: The collaboration offer one
Subject: Re: subject
Hey {first_name},
How’s it going in (country)?
Listen, you know by now I’m a huge fan of your work. You’ve been pushing some hard cold facts and truths on LinkedIn, and I have great respect for you in doing so.
It hit me the other day… why not reach out and see if you’d be up to take things to the next level?
(Describe one of their pain points)
Here’s how I can help you with this: (describe your collaboration offer).
Let me know your thoughts on this,
(Your name)
P.S. Would love to see us join forces.
Use case:
You’ve spotted a great opportunity to work with someone in your industry and see a way your skills can complement theirs.
What to pay attention to:
Pick pain points that the receiver has discussed in the past on their social media accounts, rather than assume their issues are the same as everyone else.
Looking for email examples to follow up on a request for a virtual or face-to-face meeting? They’re coming right up.
Category #5: Meeting or Call Request Follow-Up Email Templates
Maybe you’ve met someone at a networking event or you want to keep your recent job seeker interview in someone’s memory.
There are lots of reasons that you’ll want to follow up with someone and get on a call with them to discuss opportunities.
Our templates here cover a range of use cases and you can edit them to match your specific needs, where necessary.
Template #15: The “let’s have a call to discuss article ideas” one
Subject: Re; subject
Hi {first_name},
A few weeks ago, I sent in a query with a couple of feature article ideas to write for your resource. As I mentioned earlier, I have my sources lined up for interviews and I already have my preliminary research ready.
I wanted to share that I have time available in my calendar for additional ideation or for getting started on an article if that works for you.
If you’d like to suggest alternative approaches to my topic or title suggestions, please let me know and I’ll gladly send some additional ideas.
Alternatively, let me know if you’d like to have a call to discuss them.
Best wishes,
(Your name)
Use case:
You’ve pitched to a website or magazine to have your content featured and you think a real-life or virtual meet-up could get the ball rolling.
What to pay attention to:
Be clear that you’re good to go without any extra work for them.
Template #16: The one after having an interview
Subject: Re: subject
Dear {Hiring manager’s name},
Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me about the position of {the position you’re applying for} with {Company name} this morning. It was a pleasure to learn more about your {innovative strategy/upcoming challenges/core values/industry insights}.
The details you provided me with about the position convinced me that this is a job I’d enjoy and one where I could make a valuable contribution with my skills and experience {refer to your specific area of expertise and how it can benefit your employer}.
I was also thinking about what you said regarding {specific issue discussed during the interview}. In my last role as {your current or most recent position}, I found that {data-backed explanation of how you would tackle the issue in question}.
Finally, attached you’ll find the details of some of the projects we talked about. Please feel free to contact me if you find you need any more information.
I look forward to our call next week as discussed.
Thank you once again, {hiring manager’s name}.
Best regards,
(Your name)
Use case:
When you’ve had a great meeting with a recruiter and want to ensure your conversation stays fresh in their memory whilst they’re busy meeting other candidates.
What to pay attention to:
Show your enthusiasm for your potential new job title and send this follow-up within a day or two of the interview.
Template #17: The “I’m here to help you” one
Subject: Re: subject
Hey {first_name},
I understand that you must be very busy so thought I’d send you an email to remind you how much I could do for (Company name).
I’ve been blogging for over (years) and have a website that gets over (visits) monthly visits.
I heard about (Company name) from (source), checked you out on Instagram and Facebook, and really like your products.
Would you be interested in discussing a collaboration between us?
If you’d like to learn more, please book a call on my calendar for this week:
[URL]
Looking forward to talking to you!
(Your name)
Use case:
When a contact has made a referral and you’re following up after your initial conversation to reinforce the value you can offer.
What to pay attention to:
It’s a good idea to include your mutual contact’s name so you demonstrate your mutual connection.
Template #18: The content collaboration one
Subject: Re: subject
Hey {first_name},
It’s (Your name) with (Company name)— yes, the (Something about the company).
Wanted to follow up on my previous email in case it slipped through the cracks.
I know you’re a busy person, so I’m going to make it quick.
We’re looking for blogs like yours; ones that cover topics around (topic), to partner with.
Would you be interested in setting up a call to discuss things further?
Here’s a link to my calendar in case you’re interested:
(Link to calendar)
Thanks,
(Your name)
Use case:
When you’re getting in touch for a meeting request about a collaboration and haven’t heard anything back so want to land in their inbox again.
What to pay attention to:
Be sure that the information you give about your company demonstrates value or highlights how your businesses resonate.
Next, we’ve got templates of email messages to follow up from a sales contact.
Category #6: Sales Follow-Up Email Templates
We’re sure you and your co-workers get a range of sales emails in your inbox on a regular basis.
So many sales pitches start as emails, you need to make sure that your sales email gets read and gets a positive response; a strong follow-up email can really make a difference.
Our email templates should hit all the points you’ll need to follow up on a potential sale for your business and a good sales cycle, so let’s check them out.
Template #19: The follow-up after having a talk
Subject: Re: subject
Hey {first_name},
I’m writing to thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to you on {day}.
I’ve checked with our {accounting department/boss/warehouse} and they would be very happy to arrange {special request}.
Please let me know how you would like to proceed from here.
Thank you,
(Your name)
Use case:
Use this follow-up email after networking at an event and securing interest for something your company can offer.
What to pay attention to:
Confirm the specific details of what the potential client or customer was looking for and copy in the contact within your company.
Template #20: The “we’re a great fit for your company” one
Subject: Re: subject
Hi {first_name}
I sent you an email a while ago about (Company name) and how I think we could be a great fit for you and (Company).
Did you know that our clients report a {client business outcome} when they use our {product}? We also offer {perk} and {benefit}.
If you’d like to hear about this in more detail, please let me know. I’d happily spend 30 mins telling you everything you need to know.
I look forward to your response.
(Your name)
Use case:
Requesting a follow-up meeting after a previous email where you pitched your product to a company.
What to pay attention to:
Give solid, measurable results that your existing clients have experienced to back up your pitch.
Template #21: The free trial one
Subject: Re: subject
Hi {first_name},
I know how busy you must be managing your team and helping them increase {job function}. I sent you some information about {product or service} a while ago and I thought this might be a good time to give you a practical demonstration.
I’ve {created/attached} a few guest {logins/free samples/vouchers} that you can use to {access/sample} {product or service}. Feel free to share these with your staff and colleagues. I’d be very interested to hear what they think of it.
I’d really like to have 30 mins of your time as I feel we can really add value to your (area of operations).
Can we book a phone call or a meeting?
I look forward to your response.
(Your name)
Use case:
Convinced your product will solve an issue in a company? Follow up your initial pitch with a freebie so they can learn the value for themselves.
What to pay attention to:
Make your freebie or trial period long enough that they will actually be able to see the value of your product, such as two weeks or one-month free access.
Template #22: The product launch one
Subject: Re: subject
Hi {first_name}!
We are super excited to announce our new {name of a digital product/service}.
{1-liner description about the product and its function}
During the past few months, we’ve been working really hard to improve our {product/service}, and we believe that {name of the offering} will help you enjoy your experience with {company} even more.
What’s {offering} all about?
{explain the purpose of your product or service, focusing on the features, add visuals}.
{if applicable} You can download our app directly from the App Store or the Google Play Store.
{CTA button}
Happy testing!
Best,
(Your name)
Use case:
Your new product or service is ready to hit the market and you want to drum up attention and interest with people you’ve networked with in the past.
What to pay attention to:
Have really strong copy that exudes the benefit of your product and is clear about the next steps they need to take to get on board.
That’s all of the follow-up email templates we have for you, so let’s close this out.
The Components of a Successful Networking Follow-Up Email
Now that we’ve seem some templates, let’s break down the exact components necessary to write a successful networking follow-up email of your very own.
Salutation
If you know the name of the person you are emailing, it is best to use their first and last name in your salutation. For example: “Dear Mr. Smith,” or “Dear Ms. Jones,”.
If you do not know the name of the person you are emailing, you can use a generic salutation such as “Dear Hiring Manager,”, “Dear Human Resources Representative,”, or “To Whom It May Concern:”.
If you have a connection or mutual acquaintance that you are referencing in the email, you can use their name in the salutation. For example: “Dear Mary, (per our conversation with John,)” or “Dear Joe (as recommended by Jane)”.
Regardless of which salutation you use, make sure to capitalize the first letter of each word in the salutation. Additionally, be sure to close the salutation with a comma or colon.
For example:
- Dear Mr. Smith,
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear Mary (per our conversation with John),
- Dear Joe (as recommended by Jane).
Introduction
The introduction should be brief, but should include some relevant information about yourself and what you are looking for.
Start by introducing yourself and your purpose for writing.
If you are following up from a meeting or event, briefly mention it and thank the recipient for their time.
If you are reaching out for the first time, provide some background information about yourself and explain why you are connecting. If you have any mutual acquaintances, mention them as well.
Context
After introducing yourself, explain the reason why you are reaching out to the recipient.
This could include asking for advice, networking opportunities, requesting an informational interview, or even asking for a job.
It is important to be specific and explain exactly why you are reaching out and what you hope to get out of the conversation.
Next Steps
Depending on the purpose of your email, the next steps can vary.
If you are looking to connect further, suggest a time and place for a meeting.
Give a few of your available dates and ask the recipient which would work best for them.
You can also suggest an online communication platform, such as Skype or Zoom, if a face-to-face meeting is not possible.
If you are looking for advice or feedback, suggest a specific timeline for when you would like to hear back from them.
Offer to provide additional information if necessary and be sure to thank them in advance for their time.
If you are looking for a job opportunity, ask for the next steps in the hiring process. Ask what information they need from you and provide it in a timely manner.
Offer to provide additional information if they need it.
By providing clear next steps in your networking follow-up email, you make it easier for the recipient to take the necessary action.
This will help to build a strong and lasting connection with them.
Closing
The closing portion of your networking follow-up email should be concise and polite. Start by thanking the person you are writing to for their time and attention.
You should also offer to help in any way that you can.
This could include providing more information or offering your services.
Finally, sign off with something like “Sincerely,” or “Best regards,” followed by your name. This will leave the recipient with a positive impression of you and your message.
Signature
An email signature serves two purposes:
- Makes you look more professional
- Proivdes your recipient with additional contact details
It doesn’t have to be super-fancy: just your company logo or headshot with your website link, phone number, and social media handles will do the job just fine.
Think of it as your business card.
Link building cheat sheet
Now Over to You
We’re done!
That’s all the useful email templates we have for when you’re following up after networking with clients or collaborators.
Along with these networking emails that should get you a timely response, don’t forget you need a killer subject line to make sure your emails get clicks.
Your email subject line tells the reader what’s in store for them, and we’ve got some super useful networking subject line templates that you can use in conjunction with these networking email follow-ups.
We’ve got a range of resources to check out when it comes to follow-up emails that should help you target your email.
Check out these posts for more inspiration and don’t hesitate to start your 7-day free trial with Respona to see how we can help scale up your networking outreach efforts!
