Pricing & Sales

Following Up on Quotes: A Method That Works

Updated: 2026-05-27 Holdwise editorial team Quote Follow-up Sales

Follow up on every quote you send. Many clients who stay silent meant to answer, but they got busy and forgot. If you send a few short, friendly reminders, you win back many of these deals. At Holdwise, we updated this answer on 27 May 2026 and change it when the rules change.

Most lost deals were just forgotten

You send a quote on a Wednesday. The client gets busy with something else, and a few weeks pass. Usually the client's silence is unintentional. After a polite reminder, the client often replies.

The basic sequence

For most quotes, you can use this schedule:

Day 0: send the quote, with a clear validity date and next step.
Days 3 to 4: a short, friendly check-in: "Just confirming you received the quote, happy to answer any questions."
Day 10: a slightly firmer follow-up. Ask if the client has any concerns or wants to plan the work.
Day 21: a final note: "I will assume the timing is off for now and close the file, but happy to revisit later."

Each follow-up should add something

Clients soon get tired of messages like "Just bumping this up". Put something useful in each message, such as a question, a relevant idea or a short piece of information. Clients then see your follow-up as help.

The last message often gets a reply

Clients often reply to the final "I will close the file" message, and some of them want to discuss the quote again. Once you have sent it, you can stop thinking about the quote.

Keep the tone friendly

Give the client time to decide, and keep your messages free of pressure and judgement.

Track what you sent and when

Keep a list of open quotes and follow-up dates in a spreadsheet or a customer relationship management system (CRM). You then remember every follow-up and avoid sending too many messages. If you follow up on every quote in this way, you win more deals.

Frequently asked questions

Is following up annoying? +

Only if the message is pointless or puts pressure on the client. Busy clients usually welcome a short, friendly follow-up with something useful in it.

How many follow-ups before I stop? +

Three or four messages over a few weeks is enough. End with a polite "I will close the file" message. After that message, clients often give you a clear answer.

What if they say they are still thinking? +

Accept the answer, ask if there is anything you can explain, and agree on a date to talk again. When a client says "I will let you know", always agree on a concrete next step.

Sources Belastingdienst · KVK · wetten.overheid.nl Last updated: 2026-05-27