Why Clients Aren’t Responding to Your Emails (And How to Fix It)
If you've ever felt like you're sending outreach emails into the void, you're not alone. One of the most common frustrations I hear from designers and illustrators is: "I'm doing the work, I'm reaching out... but no one's responding."
Recently, I spoke to an illustrator in exactly this position. Their portfolio was strong, their outreach list was thoughtful, and they were putting themselves out there—but they weren’t hearing back.
When I asked, “How often are you following up?”
They replied, “I’m not. I figured if they didn’t respond, they weren’t interested.”
Here’s the truth: most people don’t respond to the first email—not because they’re not interested, but because they’re busy.
Why Follow-Ups Matter More Than You Think
It’s easy to assume silence means “no,” but more often than not, it just means “not right now.”
A study by HubSpot found that 60% of customers say no four times before saying yes—yet 48% of salespeople never follow up. Let that sink in. The people who persist, politely and professionally, are the ones more likely to land the project.
When this illustrator started following up, things changed.
A few weeks later, one of those follow-ups led to a project with a client they’d been hoping to work with for months.
It was their second follow-up—the first two emails had simply been buried in the client's inbox.
Following Up Isn’t Pushy—It’s Professional
When done with care, follow-ups show that you're reliable, organised, and genuinely interested in working together.
3 Tips for Better Follow-Ups:
1. Give It Time (But Not Too Much)
Wait about 5–7 business days before sending your first follow-up. People need time to read, consider, and respond—but if you leave it too long, you risk being forgotten.
2. Keep It Short and Friendly
A good follow-up doesn’t need to be long. Try something like: "Just checking in to see if you had a chance to review my previous message. I'd love to connect when the timing works."
3. Stay Consistent (But Know When to Stop)
A good rule of thumb? 2–3 follow-ups spaced over a few weeks. After that, it’s okay to let it go—or circle back in a few months if you still feel like it’s a good fit.
Wrapping Up: The First Email Is Just the Beginning
Outreach isn’t about sending one perfect email and crossing your fingers. It’s about building relationships—and that takes persistence.
A well-timed, respectful follow-up can be the difference between silence and securing your next big client.
So, if you’ve been feeling stuck with outreach, ask yourself: "Am I following up?"
Because the creatives who do? They’re often the ones who get the opportunity.
