Most cold emails don’t get replies right away. That’s normal. But what about follow-up reminders?

Well, lots of marketing resources out there recommend sending multiple follow-ups—some even suggest 12 (!).

Nowadays, email providers (and recipients) are far more sensitive to over-following. While 3+ follow-ups used to be common practice, sending more than 2 can feel spammy—especially if your email wasn’t a good fit to begin with.

Think about it—every time I get a third cold email that’s not relevant to me, I either mark it as spam or (if the sender has clearly put in effort), ask to be unsubscribed.

This is why finding the right balance between being persistent and being perceived as annoying (or getting reported as spam) means sticking to a maximum of 2 follow-ups.

✅ Day 0: Initial Cold Email

Craft your subject line and email content with care and creativity. Follow this step-by-step system to master the art of cold emailing.

✅ Day 3–4: First Follow-Up

Wait 3–4 business days (make sure it doesn’t land on a weekend). Your goal here: sound human, stay low-pressure, and offer extra value. Here’s how to do it:

✅ Day 7–10: Final Reminder (optional)

Only send this if you genuinely believe there’s a strong fit. Keep it light, respectful, and optional—but don’t be afraid to add a subtle FOMO touch. Examples:

“Last nudge, promise! Let me know if this is worth a conversation—or not the right time.”

“I just got off a call with [Competitor Name], and it reminded me I never heard back from you. Totally fine if now’s not the moment—just let me know either way.”

“I’m wrapping up sharing our free audit on how companies like yours could grow 20%+ in 60 days. Based on the silence, I’m guessing it’s not the right time—correct me if I’m wrong?”

Summary

• Include previous emails in every follow-up so the recipient can easily review the conversation.
• Don’t send empty “just following up” messages—add value or context every time.
• Stick to two follow-ups max. Respect the silence. No guilt-tripping, no desperate chasing.