Prospect Ghosting You? Use this ghosting schedule to follow up.
undefined
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do prospects ghost agencies after a good first meeting?
Prospects ghost agencies after solid first meetings for several reasons: they’re not feeling enough pain to make a change yet, internal priorities shifted, budget approval stalled, or they’re simply conflict-averse and don’t want to deliver a “no.” It’s rarely a reflection of the meeting itself. The mistake agencies make is interpreting silence as a final answer and stopping outreach entirely.
How many times should you follow up with a prospect who isn’t responding?
You should follow up at least 6 to 8 times before genuinely retiring a prospect. Most agencies stop after 2 to 3 attempts, but research consistently shows that the majority of responses come after the 5th or 6th contact. The key is spacing those touches out, not following up every day, but maintaining a consistent presence over 60 to 90 days with varied content and formats.
What should you say when following up with a prospect who has gone silent?
The most effective follow-ups after ghosting reference something new and relevant, such as a piece of content, a client win, or a market development relevant to their category, rather than simply asking “Did you get my last email?” Each follow-up should give the prospect a reason to re-engage, not just a reminder that you exist. Varying the format across email, LinkedIn message, and relevant article shares also increases response rates.
How long should you wait before following up after a first agency meeting?
Follow up within 24 hours of the first meeting with a recap and next step. If you don’t hear back, follow up again at 5 to 7 days, then 2 weeks, then monthly. A structured ghosting schedule removes the guesswork and keeps the outreach consistent without becoming aggressive.
As Vice President of Sales at RSW/US, Lee drives sales efforts to bring ad agencies and marketing services firms on board with RSW, creates content around successful new business tactics and takes part in RSW/US marketing objectives, including social media channels, blog content, webinars, video and speaking engagements. You can find him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/leemcknightjr) or Twitter (@leemcknightjr).

