She Blocked Me (And I Deserved It)

For the longest time, I thought persistence just meant showing up more.

More follow-ups. More messages. More “just checking in.”

I honestly believed that if I stayed in front of someone long enough, they’d eventually say yes. That’s what all the sales gurus preached, right?

“The fortune is in the follow-up.”

“80% of sales happen after the fifth contact.”

“Never give up on a lead.”

So I didn’t…

I had this one prospect. Let’s call her Suzie.

Suzie had been on a discovery call with me. She loved the offer. She said she was “really interested” and just needed to “think about it for a few days.”

Cool. I gave her space.

Three days later, I followed up.

“Hey Suzie, just checking in! Have you had a chance to think things over?”

No response.

A week later, I tried again.

“Hi Suzie! Following up on my last message. Would love to chat if you have any questions.”

Crickets.

Another week passed. I sent message number three.

“Hey! Wanted to circle back and see where you’re at with everything.”

Still nothing.

But I wasn’t giving up. Because persistence, remember?

Message four. Message five. Message six.

All basically the same thing. Just reworded slightly so it didn’t feel like I was copy-pasting (even though I kind of was).

By message ten, I was really reaching.

“Hey Suzie! I know you’re probably busy, but I didn’t want you to miss out on this opportunity...”

That’s when she blocked me.

And honestly? I don’t blame her one bit.

Because if someone did that to me, I’d do the same damn thing.

The Follow-Up Formula That Actually Works

Here’s what I didn’t understand back then: follow-up isn’t about reminding someone you exist. It’s about giving them a reason to respond.

Every time I sent Suzie a message, I was essentially saying “Hey, remember me? I’m still here. Are you ready to buy yet?”

That’s not valuable. That’s annoying AF.

So I started asking myself a different question: What would make ME reply?

A generic “just checking in” text? Absolutely not.

Something that’s actually valuable, curious, and unique? Now we’re talking.

Here’s what changed in my approach:

1. I stopped using the same language

Every follow-up needs to feel fresh. Not just reworded, but genuinely different in its approach and angle.

Instead of “just checking in” over and over, I’d send:

• A relevant article or resource

• A question about something they mentioned on our call

• An insight about their specific situation

• A case study of someone in a similar position

Each message stood on its own. Each one gave them a reason to engage.

2. I kept it short

Nobody has time to read your 1500 character text message. I don’t care how well-written it is.

If your follow-up is longer than three sentences, it’s too long.

Get in. Add value. Get out.

3. I became genuinely curious

Instead of pushing for the sale, I started asking real questions.

“I’ve been thinking about what you said on our call about wanting to scale without burning out. Have you tried building any systems yet, or are you still in the weeds with everything?”

That’s not a pitch. That’s curiosity.

And curiosity gets responses.

4. I changed my timeline

I used to follow up every 3-5 days like clockwork. Which meant I was in someone’s inbox twice a week for a month straight.

Now? I space it out based on where they are in their decision-making process.

First follow-up: 3 days after the call Second follow-up: 1 week later Third follow-up: 2 weeks later Fourth follow-up: 1 month later

And if I haven’t heard back after four thoughtful, valuable follow-ups? I let it go.

Because here’s the truth: if someone wants what you’re selling, they’ll buy it. Your job isn’t to convince them. It’s to stay top of mind in a way that builds trust, not resentment.

The Real Problem With Bad Follow-Up

When you send the same message 10 times, you’re not being persistent. You’re being desperate.

And desperation repels buyers.

It tells them you need the sale more than they need the solution. It makes them question whether your offer is actually valuable if you’re this hungry for their money.

Good follow-up builds rapport. Bad follow-up damages it.

I’ve lost deals because I followed up too much with the wrong approach. And I’ve closed deals months later because I followed up strategically with value.

The difference? Respect.

When you respect someone’s time, their inbox, and their decision-making process, they feel it. And when they’re ready to buy, they remember who treated them like a human instead of a transaction.

What To Do Instead

If you’re currently stuck in the “just checking in” cycle, here’s how to fix it:

Stop ghosting completely. Some people think the answer to over-following-up is to not follow up at all. Wrong. You need a follow-up strategy. You just need a better one.

Map out 4-5 follow-up messages in advance. Write them out. Make sure each one is different. Each one adds value. Each one gives them a reason to respond.

Use the buyer type framework. Not everyone responds to the same kind of follow-up. Some people need data. Some need stories. Some need social proof. Adapt your message to who you’re talking to.

Set a limit. Decide in advance how many times you’ll follow up before you let it go. For me, it’s four. For you, it might be three or five. But have a number so you’re not endlessly chasing people who aren’t ready.

Ask better questions. Stop asking “Are you ready to move forward?” Start asking “What would need to happen for this to be a yes for you?”

One is a yes/no question. The other is a conversation starter.

The Follow-Up Truth Nobody Tells You

Here’s what I wish someone had told me when I was sending those 10 messages to Suzie:

The right people will say yes. The wrong people won’t. And no amount of follow-up will change that.

Your job isn’t to convince someone to buy. Your job is to stay in front of the right people in a way that makes them want to work with you when they’re ready.

That’s it.

So stop burning bridges with repetitive, desperate follow-ups. Start building trust with thoughtful, valuable ones.

Be curious. Be brief. Be worth replying to.

And if they still don’t respond after four solid attempts? Let them go.

Because the person who’s meant to work with you won’t make you chase them for two months.

They’ll say yes. And you’ll wonder why you wasted so much time on the ones who didn’t.

Ready to fix your follow-up strategy?

Book a 15-minute revenue audit this week and we’ll map out how to follow up with value based on buyer type so you’re building trust, not burning bridges.

Click here to Book Your Revenue Audit

-Sausha

salesmama.biz