Strategic follow-ups can help strengthen business relationships, not harm them.
In the case of maintaining positive business relationships, many people are focused on the first meeting or the initial cycle of contract discussions. However, those initial conversations are only one aspect of the equation.
If you want to close the deal or maintain a healthy business relationship, nothing is more important than following up.If done correctly, convincing follow-ups could be the key to unlocking the maximum potential of your business and its relationships.
1.Maintain Perfect Alignment
In the beginning, the business relationship is focused on achieving real alignment between the partners. This is crucial when working towards big-picture objectives, for example, determining the most important KPIs and how to gauge the effectiveness of the relationship.
In time, it is possible that things will alter. One partner might decide that they are looking to launch a brand new service or product. They could encounter changes with other partners or customers. Also, major disruptions globally (related to supply chains or the workforce) might affect their operations.
Whatever the circumstance, the need for follow-up is essential to maintaining full alignment in all business relationships. This could be because specific aspects of your relationship have to be revised or reviewed or because partners need to stay “in the loop” on certain areas and issues; consistency is essential.
If you make regular follow-up an important part of your business, relationships will maintain the same degree of trust and momentum they started with. It’s not necessary to maintain constant communicationur business, relationships will maintain the same degree of trust and momentum they started with. It’s not necessary to maintain constant communication. However, it is a requirement to keep in touch with your partner at any time something happens that might affect the way you work.
2.Be on top of your game.
In reality, follow-up isn’t just essential in an established business relationship. It’s also essential when trying to conclude an agreement or focus on the kind of partnership that will appear.
But the thing is, there are many others trying to connect with a potential partner (or conclude the deal). There’s plenty of competition. If you’re not responding in a persuasive manner, it’s quite easy to get lost.
It’s not difficult to observe the effect of a persuasive follow-up on sales, as more than 80 percent of sales that are successful require at least five follow-up phone calls following the initial meeting before an agreement is reached. Yet, 44 percent of salespeople abandon their efforts after the initial follow-up phone call. In this case, their product or service isn’t at the top of their list, which means the sale does not happen. Lack of follow-up may be a major problem for any potential business relationship.
According to Paul do Campo, founder of OmniDrip, “Never wait.” In actuality, it is imperative to follow up with potential clients or partners as quickly as you can within your desired date frame; there’s no time to be complacent. This will keep you focused on prospects rather than waiting for someone else to come in and take advantage of the opportunity ahead of you. A persuasive follow-up message that is focused on their needs can help you make a mark in the sea of emails and continue to move forward.
3.Demonstrating your affection
There is a report that states companies are losing between 10 and 25 percent of their customers every year. Although companies are able to make up the gap by acquiring new customers, it can eventually be far more costly than the alternative of being able to keep existing customers in the loop and earn their continued business.
There are many aspects that affect the loyalty of customers; convincing and converting are two of the most important. provides examples of the numerous brands that make use of constantly monitored social media accounts to give quick and accurate responses to queries. This gives customers a sense of security that allows them to feel as if they are taken care of even when they are interacting with major brands via an online platform.
In this instance, the follow-up that is persuasive isn’t always focused on making the sale. It’s more about responding to customer concerns in a timely and courteous way that shows that the company is committed to providing high-quality customer service.
In business, a persuasive follow-up could yield similar results. For instance, a vendor may respond quickly when a business client makes an order. They can follow up by providing regular updates on the purchase and shipment’s progress.
Once the order is received, the company makes sure to verify that everything went through as expected, demonstrating their determination to get things done right.
The consistency of follow-up will aid in the development of trust between the customer and the provider, as well as the prompt resolution of any issues that may arise.This could help in building a long-lasting relationship.
Do not forget the follow-up.
It’s actually quite simple to follow up, which is why it often slips between the cracks. It’s an afterthought that’s poorly executed when it does get any attention at all.
However, it shouldn’t be this way. Follow-ups that are persuasive can be crucial to building healthy, long-lasting relationships that ensure both of you are connected while also showing your dedication and level of interest.
If follow-up is required, it could be via an in-person meeting, an email, or even a social media post, depending on your business’s customers or partners. However, what’s important is that it’s happening consistently.
