1. How to Avoid Sending
“Just Checking In”
Follow Up Emails
Selfish

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We’ve seen these
three words before.

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We’ve seen these
three words before.
and written

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“Just checking in …”

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But is that true?

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But is that true?
We’re not “just checking in.”

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But is that true?
We’re not “just checking in.”
We’re trying to accomplish something.

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We’re desperate to hit quota.

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We’re desperate to hit quota.
We’re lost on how to re-connect prospects.

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We’re desperate to hit quota.
We’re lost on how to re-connect prospects.
We’re hustling to get hired.

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We’re desperate to hit quota.
We’re lost on how to re-connect prospects.
We’re hustling to get hired.
We’re stuck trying to network.

12. So we send the dreadful
“Just Checking In”
email.
Hi Mark,
How are you?
Just wanted to check-in and see if there’s anything I can help you
with. Per our conversation on the 16th, I wanted to see if you
confirmed the date that your current systems migration is going to
be completely done by. Do you have 10 minutes this afternoon to
speak?
Let me know what works.
Best,
John
Just Checking-In
www.getsidekick.com

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Let’s deconstruct
why this email is
selfish and useless.

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Completely generic-opening. No
personalization to your relationship
with the other person.
1
Hi Mark,
How are you?
Just wanted to check-in and see if there’s anything I can help you
with. Per our conversation on the 16th, I wanted to see if you
confirmed the date that your current systems migration is going to
be completely done by. Do you have 10 minutes this afternoon to
speak?
Let me know what works.
Best,
John
Just Checking-In
1
2
3
4

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Completely generic-opening. No
personalization to your relationship
with the other person.
1
You admit you’re checking-in for
the sake of checking-in, and have
no real value add.
2
Hi Mark,
How are you?
Just wanted to check-in and see if there’s anything I can help you
with. Per our conversation on the 16th, I wanted to see if you
confirmed the date that your current systems migration is going to
be completely done by. Do you have 10 minutes this afternoon to
speak?
Let me know what works.
Best,
John
Just Checking-In
1
2
3
4

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Completely generic-opening. No
personalization to your relationship
with the other person.
1
You admit you’re checking-in for
the sake of checking-in, and have
no real value add.
2
You are asking the person for
information rather than giving them
information.
3
Hi Mark,
How are you?
Just wanted to check-in and see if there’s anything I can help you
with. Per our conversation on the 16th, I wanted to see if you
confirmed the date that your current systems migration is going to
be completely done by. Do you have 10 minutes this afternoon to
speak?
Let me know what works.
Best,
John
Just Checking-In
1
2
3
4

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Completely generic-opening. No
personalization to your relationship
with the other person.
1
You admit you’re checking-in for
the sake of checking-in, and have
no real value add.
2
You are asking the person for
information rather than giving them
information.
3
You end with a generic call-to-
action, rather than giving a specific
next step.
4
Hi Mark,
How are you?
Just wanted to check-in and see if there’s anything I can help you
with. Per our conversation on the 16th, I wanted to see if you
confirmed the date that your current systems migration is going to
be completely done by. Do you have 10 minutes this afternoon to
speak?
Let me know what works.
Best,
John
Just Checking-In
1
2
3
4

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So how do we move from
selfish to valuable?

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So how do we move from
selfish to valuable?
We’ve broken it down
into five steps.

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Wait!

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Wait!
Before we start, here’s a tool to
track if your follow up email is opened.
Install Sidekick now!

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Wait!
Before we start, here’s a tool to
track if your follow up email is opened.
Alright, now we’re ready.
Install Sidekick now!

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Step 1:
Determine your
objective.

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Four primary objectives for a follow up email:
1. Need information.
2. Request a meeting.
3. Just to catch up.
4. Thank you.

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Let’s say we just
interviewed for our
dream job and we
need to follow up.
Clearly, this will be a
“thank you” type of
follow up email.

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Here’s an example of a
follow up email after
an interview.
Louisa,
Thank you again for talking with me today. I really appreciated learning
more about your work as [title of position] and your experience at
[Company Name]. Working with such an autonomous [quality] team
within a company that I truly admire would be an incredible learning
experience, and I would love the opportunity to prove that I'm a great fit
for the role.
Attached is a [type of project] that I created while working for [previous
company]. I've also attached my resume as well as a cover letter to
demonstrate why I want to work for [Company Name] and how I align
with the culture. Finally, below is a link to my website where you can see
more of my publications and projects.
Let me know if you have any questions about anything or if you'd like me
to send anything else. I look forward to hearing back from you!
Appreciate your time today, Louisa!

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Here’s an example of a
follow up email after
an interview.
Louisa,
Thank you again for talking with me today. I really appreciated learning
more about your work as [title of position] and your experience at
[Company Name]. Working with such an autonomous [quality] team
within a company that I truly admire would be an incredible learning
experience, and I would love the opportunity to prove that I'm a great fit
for the role.
Attached is a [type of project] that I created while working for [previous
company]. I've also attached my resume as well as a cover letter to
demonstrate why I want to work for [Company Name] and how I align
with the culture. Finally, below is a link to my website where you can see
more of my publications and projects.
Let me know if you have any questions about anything or if you'd like me
to send anything else. I look forward to hearing back from you!
Appreciate your time today, Louisa!
Get 10 More Job
Search Templates!

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Step 2:
Open with
context.

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Don’t get to caught up
with the follow up itself.
We should help our
contact remember us
by re-emphasizing our
initial interaction.

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Common openers include:
• We met last week at the [Name of Event or Location].
• I was inspired after you spoke at the [Name of event].
• I am an avid reader of your blog.
• My friend, Scott Lenahan, suggested that I reach out.
• Last time we spoke …
• Just following up on the email I sent a few weeks ago
about [topic].

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Here’s an example of a
sales follow up email:
Hi Louisa,
Last we spoke, you requested that I get in touch in a few months to
discuss how [Company Name] can help your business achieve [goal]. I
may be a few weeks early, but I thought I would check in.
Have you given any additional consideration to my proposal? I’d be
happy to chat on the phone and answer any questions that may have
come up.
What does your schedule look like this week to talk?
Any questions, Louisa?

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Here’s an example of a
sales follow up email:
Hi Louisa,
Last we spoke, you requested that I get in touch in a few months to
discuss how [Company Name] can help your business achieve [goal]. I
may be a few weeks early, but I thought I would check in.
Have you given any additional consideration to my proposal? I’d be
happy to chat on the phone and answer any questions that may have
come up.
What does your schedule look like this week to talk?
Any questions, Louisa?
Get 16 More Sales
Email Templates!

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Step 3:
Clearly state
your purpose.

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We should be
straightforward with
why we’re sending
them an email.
The more specific,
the better.

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Common ways to articulate purpose:
• I want to invite you to join me at [Name of Event], I think you’ll
find it helpful for what you do at [Company Name].
• Any chance you can expand on your idea in [Name of Blog
Post]?
• It would be great to hear more about [topic] as I’m working on
something similar at [Company Name].
• I just wanted to thank you for your time yesterday.

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Here’s an example of a
follow up email after
a networking meeting.
Hi Louisa,
Thank you so much for taking the time to chat today. I really enjoyed
talking and learning more about your experience with [career field]. I
really appreciate all the advice and tips you offered on how to break into
[industry].
You mentioned that your team at [Company Name] is looking for a new
business development rep, and I actually just met [name of contact] who
runs the business growth strategy at [Company Name]. I think she would
be a great fit for your team. Can I make an intro?
Thanks again for your time and advice. I wish you the best of luck while
wrapping up your beta, and I hope to stay in touch!
Thought you might be interested in meeting [Name]

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Here’s an example of a
follow up email after
a networking meeting.
Hi Louisa,
Thank you so much for taking the time to chat today. I really enjoyed
talking and learning more about your experience with [career field]. I
really appreciate all the advice and tips you offered on how to break into
[industry].
You mentioned that your team at [Company Name] is looking for a new
business development rep, and I actually just met [name of contact] who
runs the business growth strategy at [Company Name]. I think she would
be a great fit for your team. Can I make an intro?
Thanks again for your time and advice. I wish you the best of luck while
wrapping up your beta, and I hope to stay in touch!
Thought you might be interested in meeting [Name]
X
Get 10 More Networking
Email Templates!

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Step 4:
Craft a fine
subject line.

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Subject lines should be
short and sweet,
but pique their curiosity.
We conducted a study
in 2014 using 6.4 million
emails and learned a
few things about
subject lines.

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Here are a few things that might help:
• Use concrete numbers and times.
Emails with “Quick” in the subject line were opened 17% less
than those without.
• Create a sense of urgency by using “tomorrow.”
Emails with “Tomorrow” in the subject line were opened 10%
more than those without.
• Try omitting the subject line.
Emails with no subject line altogether were opened 8% more
than those with a subject line.

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Here’s an example of a
follow up email after
submitting an application.
Hi Louisa,
My name is [Your Name], I saw that [Company Name] is looking for
[position title] and had to reach out to you. I think I would be a great
addition to your team for the following reasons:
I’m teachable. I love learning and am always reading a new book, blog,
or listening to a podcast (current favorite is [Podcast Title]).
I’m [list your unique qualities].
I believe in [Company] and your mission to [restate mission].
I’ve attached my resume and a video of me explaining why I would be a
great addition to your team. I've also included my website and samples
of projects that I’ve worked on for [previous relevant role or position] in
case you’d like to see samples of my work.
3 reasons I would be a great addition to your team

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Here’s an example of a
follow up email after
submitting an application.
Hi Louisa,
My name is [Your Name], I saw that [Company Name] is looking for
[position title] and had to reach out to you. I think I would be a great
addition to your team for the following reasons:
I’m teachable. I love learning and am always reading a new book, blog,
or listening to a podcast (current favorite is [Podcast Title]).
I’m [list your unique qualities].
I believe in [Company] and your mission to [restate mission].
I’ve attached my resume and a video of me explaining why I would be a
great addition to your team. I've also included my website and samples
of projects that I’ve worked on for [previous relevant role or position] in
case you’d like to see samples of my work.
3 reasons I would be a great addition to your team
Install Sidekick now!
Find out when they
open your email
using this free tool.

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Step 5:
Decide when to
follow up.

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So our follow up
email is written,
but when should
we send it?

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So our follow up
email is written,
but when should
we send it?
It depends.

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These are suggested time frames
based on various use cases:

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Here’s an example of a
follow up email after
an interview.
Hi Louisa,
I just wanted to thank you for your time during our interview today,
especially while you were in the midst of a new feature roll out.
As asked, I’ve attached my resume, cover letter, and application below. I
also included my personal website and a few projects that I’ve been
working on so you can see some examples of my experience in front-end
development.
Again, I appreciate the opportunity to have shared my background and
interest in the position with you. I think my experience with Java and web
development in entrepreneurial organizations align perfectly with what
your team is looking for, and I hope to prove that.
Thank you, and I hope we’ll be in touch soon!
Thanks for taking the time to meet me today!

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That’s it!

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Ready to upgrade
your follow up game?
Try Sidekick Today!

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By the way, here are the three
sets of templates again.
12 Networking Templates
10 Job Search Templates
16 Sales Templates

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Brought to you by:
Cambria Davies
GROWTH MARKETER,
SIDEKICK BY HUBSPOT
@Cambria_Davies
John Sherer
SENIOR SALES REP
HUBSPOT
@JohnSherer

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