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Follow-up GuideMarch 4, 20265 min read
How Many Follow-Ups Before Giving Up
Count rules by scenario. Links to nurture timeline.
follow-uppersistencewhen to stopnurtureFollow-Up Count by Scenario
| Follow-ups | Scenario | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 3-5 | No reply at all | Pause. Revisit in 2-3 months. |
| 2 | Opened but no reply | One more follow-up. Then pause. |
| 1 | Replied 'not now' | See nurture timeline. |
| 0 | Replied 'not interested' | Stop. Remove from list. |
If they said not now, use our nurture timeline and re-engagement triggers. For interpreting no-reply, see why businesses ignore outreach.
FAQ
How many follow-ups for cold email?
3-5 spaced 3-5 days apart. If no opens after 3, consider stopping. If they opened, 2 follow-ups is reasonable.
When to stop following up?
After explicit 'not interested', stop. After 5 emails with zero engagement, pause. If they said not now, follow the 3-6-12 month nurture interval.