The Value of the Follow-Up: A Personal Reflection

I’ve always been the type to keep moving forward. My brain is wired for the next challenge, the next goal, the next step. I love starting projects, mapping out plans, and imagining all the possibilities of what could be. But there’s one thing I’ve always struggled with: following up.

It’s not that I don’t see its importance—I absolutely do. But in the rush of chasing new opportunities and trying to grow, it can feel like following up is “looking back.” And who has time to look back when the future feels so full of promise?

The truth, though, is that following up isn’t about looking back at all. It’s about staying the course. It’s about showing up consistently, even when you don’t get an immediate response or the result you’re hoping for right away. And I’ve learned this the hard way—through missed opportunities, lost connections, and, frankly, some avoidable frustration.

When I don’t follow up, I leave things unfinished. A perfectly good lead turns into a question mark. A conversation with potential turns into a dead end. That “I’ll reach out again later” often turns into never. The worst part? I know I’ve left success sitting on the table more than once because I didn’t take that next step.

But when I do stick to my guns and follow up, incredible things happen.

I’ll give you an example. A few months ago, I connected with an estate planning attorney who was looking for a reliable notary to handle their clients’ trust signings. We had a great initial conversation, and I could tell there was potential for an ongoing partnership. But then…nothing. No response to my follow-up email. My first thought was, “Move on—this isn’t going anywhere.”

Instead, I decided to reach out one more time. I sent a quick message reminding them how I could help make the signing process seamless and stress-free for their clients. To my surprise, they responded immediately. They had been swamped with deadlines and had completely forgotten to reply. Within a week, we’d booked our first appointment together, and now, they’re one of my most consistent clients.

If I’d let my hesitation win, I would’ve lost out on a partnership that’s been mutually beneficial and genuinely rewarding.

The same goes for other areas of my business. A simple “Just checking in” message has led to repeat business, referrals, and even friendships. Following up shows people you’re serious, that you care, and that you’re not just in it for a quick win. It builds trust.

Of course, following up can feel awkward. It requires patience, persistence, and sometimes a thick skin. You’re putting yourself out there with the possibility of being ignored—or worse, rejected. But I’ve learned that the only thing worse than rejection is the regret of not trying.

Now, I make it a point to remind myself: following up is progress. It’s not backtracking. It’s not clinging to something that didn’t work. It’s committing to what I started and seeing it through.

So, if you’re like me and struggle with the follow-up, take a moment to pause. Ask yourself: What’s the worst that could happen? And more importantly, what’s the best that could happen? Stick to your guns. Stay the course. The results might surprise you.

They’ve certainly surprised me.

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