MOVE 48 · TIMING & SILENCE · FREE
Follow Up After Silence
When a client or counterpart goes quiet, send a short, low-pressure follow-up that makes replying easy and offers a clear exit.
Silence is usually a priority problem, not a verdict — make it easy to answer.
WHY IT WORKS
People go quiet because they are busy, undecided or uncomfortable saying no. A brief message that summarises the open point, offers simple response options and permits a 'no' lowers the effort of replying and often restarts the conversation or brings honest closure.
WHEN TO USE IT
- A client stopped replying after a proposal or meeting.
- A hiring process has gone quiet past the promised date.
WHEN NOT TO USE IT
- You have already followed up several times; consider closing instead.
- The silence follows a conflict that needs repair first.
SIGNALS IT FITS
- Two weeks or more without reply to a time-sensitive question.
- You are drafting increasingly long follow-ups.
PREPARATION
- Summarise the open question in one sentence.
- Offer two or three easy reply options.
STEP BY STEP
- Reference the original topic briefly.
- Offer simple choices including 'not now'.
- Keep it under five sentences.
- If no reply, send one final close-the-loop message after a set period.
OPENING LINE
“Just checking in on the proposal — a quick one-word reply is fine.”
SCRIPT
Hi Ben — checking in on the proposal from the 3rd. Is it (a) still under consideration, (b) a go, or (c) not right for now? Any answer helps me plan.
LIKELY RESPONSES & COUNTERS
- If they reply 'not now'
- Thank them, ask whether you can check back in a set number of months, and close gracefully.
- If they still don't reply
- Send one final message closing the loop and stop following up.
SECOND MOVE
If silence continues after the final message, use Step Back Without Burning the Bridge.
FOLLOW-UP
Log the date of each follow-up so you stop after two or three.
COMMON MISTAKES
- Guilt-tripping language like 'I haven't heard back from you'.
- Following up daily.
WALK-AWAY CONDITIONS
- Two or three follow-ups over several weeks receive no reply at all.
EXAMPLE (FICTIONAL)
A freelancer's multiple-choice follow-up got a reply within an hour: '(a) — budget approval is next week'. Her previous three open-ended emails had received no answer.
ETHICAL BOUNDARY
Respect a non-answer after reasonable attempts. Persistent chasing after clear disinterest becomes harassment.
RELATED MOVES
Content version 1 · Drafted by Power Move IQ Editorial · Not yet human-reviewed · Educational decision support, not legal, financial or employment advice.