Following Up with Marketers: Emails That Match Modern Marketing Trends No ratings yet.

Let’s be honest. Marketers get flooded with emails every day. Most of them? Deleted without being read. Not because the sender had nothing to offer, but because the email didn’t speak the marketer’s language. It wasn’t timely. It didn’t match the trends. It didn’t feel personal.

If you want your follow-up emails to actually get replies, you’ve got to level up. This guide is here to help you do exactly that. We’ll cover how to write follow-up emails that feel relevant, not annoying. Emails that fit into the current marketing landscape. Emails that convert.

Why Follow-Up Emails Matter More Than Ever

Here’s the thing: the first email rarely gets the job done.

• People are busy.
• Inboxes are full.
• Attention spans are short.

So if you’re not sending a follow-up, you’re leaving a potential opportunity hanging.

But we’re not talking about lazy copy-paste follow-ups. We’re talking smart, tailored messages that speak to what matters now—trends, tech, and timing.

Let’s break it down.

Understand the Mindset of Today’s Marketer

Before you hit send, think about the person on the other side. What’s on their mind?

Most marketers today are focused on:

• Performance metrics (like ROI, conversions, and engagement)
• Content that matches user intent
• Staying ahead of AI and automation trends
• Personalization at scale
• Omni-channel strategies (social, email, SEO, PPC—all working together)

So if your follow-up doesn’t touch one of those areas, it might not land.

The Funnel Approach to Follow-Up Emails

Think of your email follow-ups like a funnel. Each message should guide the reader one step closer to action.

Top of Funnel (TOFU): Reconnect With Relevance

Your goal here is to remind them who you are and why your message matters now.

Tips for TOFU Emails:

• Mention a recent marketing trend (e.g., AI-generated content or short-form video)
• Refer to their recent content, campaign, or event
• Keep the ask small—like a quick reply or one question

Example:

Hi [Name],

Just saw your latest webinar on influencer trends—loved how you broke down the shift in creator partnerships.

Curious—are you currently exploring tools to help scale outreach for collabs like that? I’d love to show you a quick demo if it makes sense.

Short. Relevant. No pressure.

Middle of Funnel (MOFU): Add Value and Start a Conversation

Now that you’ve re-established contact, give them something useful. Marketers love tools, templates, checklists, and trend data.

What to include:

• A recent blog post or case study that matches their focus
• Quick tips related to their industry
• A resource built around a hot topic (e.g., “Email subject lines that boosted open rates by 42% in 2025”)

Don’t just drop a link. Explain why it’s useful.

Bottom of Funnel (BOFU): Make the Ask Clear

By now, they’ve seen your name a few times. You’ve shared something helpful. It’s time to guide them to a decision.

This could be:

• Booking a call
• Signing up for a free trial
• Giving feedback
• Connecting you to someone else on their team

Keep it simple. Avoid pushy language. But don’t be vague either.

Matching Trends: Make Your Emails Feel “Now”

If your email sounds like it was written in 2018, it’ll get ignored. So, stay updated. Show them you know what’s happening in their world.

Here are some current marketing trends to reference:

• AI in content and email marketing: Tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Smartwriter
• User-generated content: Reviews, community-driven posts
• Hyper-personalization: Emails that adjust based on behavior and preferences
• Data privacy: Marketers are more careful about how they collect and use data
• Micro-influencers: Smaller audiences, higher trust

How to use these in follow-ups:

Instead of:

Just checking if you had a chance to look at my last message…

Try:

Noticed your team’s been exploring UGC more lately—smart move, considering how much higher it converts compared to brand-led ads. I’ve got a short idea that could fit into that strategy. Can I share it?

That kind of follow-up shows you’re paying attention.

Personalization: Go Deeper Than the First Name

We’re past the point where “Hi [Name]” counts as personalization. Marketers expect more.

Real personalization looks like:

• Mentioning a recent blog post, social post, or campaign
• Noting a company announcement or job change
• Referencing a challenge they’re likely dealing with

Example:

I saw your team just launched a new affiliate program—congrats!

I work with brands optimizing affiliate outreach using automated follow-ups (timed based on CTR data). Happy to share a few examples if you’re interested.

Specific. Relevant. Not generic.

The Power of Timing

Don’t send 5 follow-ups in 3 days. That’s spammy. But don’t disappear after one try either.

Here’s a simple sequence:

1. Initial outreach 
2. Follow-up after 2–3 days (light reminder)
3. Second follow-up after 4–5 days (add value or resource)
4. Final follow-up after 7–10 days (friendly close or breakup email)

Spacing things out shows patience and respect. It also increases your chances of catching them at the right time. Just as important is making sure your emails actually land in their inbox—implementing practices like SPF flattening can improve deliverability and prevent your messages from being flagged as spoofed or spam.

Subject Lines That Actually Get Opened

If they never open the email, it doesn’t matter how good your message is. Your subject line does the heavy lifting.

What works now:

• Short and clear (under 50 characters)
• Personal or specific
• Tied to a trend or result

Good examples:

• “Your post on AI marketing got me thinking”
• “One idea for your next affiliate launch”
• “Quick resource on video ads that scale”

Avoid salesy stuff like “LIMITED TIME OFFER” or “RE: RE: Final notice”

Common Follow-Up Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s keep it real—bad follow-ups kill deals. Here are a few things to avoid:

❌ Generic templates

If it sounds like it was sent to 100 other people, it probably was. That’s why it won’t work.

❌ Too many words

People skim. Keep it short. 3–5 sentences max is often best.

❌ No real reason to reply

If your email doesn’t clearly say what you want or why it matters to them, they won’t answer.

❌ Guilt-tripping

Don’t say “I reached out three times and you haven’t responded.” That’s not their problem. Move on gracefully.

What to Track and Improve

You’re not done once you send the email. Measure what’s working so you can improve.

Track things like:

• Open rates (subject line effectiveness)
• Click rates (link relevance)
• Reply rates (message clarity and timing)
• Conversion rates (next-step actions)

Use this data to tweak your tone, timing, and topics. Over time, your follow-ups will get sharper—and more effective.

Final Thoughts

Follow-up emails don’t need to be awkward or ignored. They can actually be the best part of your outreach strategy—if you write them well.

Think about the person on the other end. Stay relevant. Match the trends. Speak their language. And always, always add value.

That’s how you write emails that marketers respect—and respond to.