Do You Follow Up?

I believe many people forget to follow up. Whether it be with a potential customer, client or friend.
Could one reason be that you feel you may come across as being annoying or perhaps you feel there really isn't a need to follow up with someone.

Have you ever made plans in advance with a friend or family member and on the date you were to meet, your plans did not go exactly the way you remembered? Was that due to not following up to confirm or to make sure you both had the same things in mind? A simple, casual follow up call after the initial conversation, would had eliminated any confusion.

If you own a business, do you follow up with all current and potential customers? Following up is the most important thing to do. After initial contact, it is important to follow up within a short period of time. With current customers, a follow up call or email to just thank them for choosing your company. Maybe consider asking them if they were satisfied with your company or ask if they have any suggestions. This will show your interest and repeat business will probably come your way.

With potential customers, a follow up to prior contact will keep your business in the back of their mind. Perhaps this potential customer has truly been too busy to give thought about your service or product. Life has a way of keeping us all busy. When receiving contact again through a follow up call, letter or email, you again have another chance to sell your services or product without sounding desperate. Maybe the first time they received contact from you, they weren't ready for your services or product, but after receiving a follow up, they realize they now need what you have to offer them.

What if you are in the market for a new job? Some job-seekers don't follow up after an interview for fear of sounding desperate or annoying. If you do it right, you will come across as interested, not desperate. Following up job leads shows prospective employers your interest in the company and position -- and gives you another chance to sell your qualifications.

When receiving a comment on blogs and/or social networks, it is just as important to follow up and respond. I was lacking in this area myself, but I believe I am doing much better with following up to comments. I never realized that not replying to a comment might be taken as a lack of interest on my part. I am very thankful when receiving a comment and now I make it a point to reply and show my thanks.

I personally have a pet peeve when friends do not follow up after I leave a message on their voicemail. I left a message, so I would receive a follow up call, right? Keeping this in mind, I make a conscious effort to follow up whenever necessary with both my personal and business dealings.