The Quote Follow-Up Sequence
The seven messages that turn a sent quote into a booked job — timing, wording, and when to stop. Copy them straight out and send them as they are.
Most quotes aren't lost on price. They're lost because one company followed up twice and the other followed up once. This is a sequence that runs over three weeks and then stops — because chasing forever costs you more in reputation than it wins in jobs. Swap the bracketed parts for your own words; the timing matters more than the wording.
Message 1 — The Send
Text · within the hour of sending the quote
Hi [NAME], [YOUR NAME] from [COMPANY]. Just sent the quote for [THE JOB] to [EMAIL] — worth checking your spam folder if it hasn't shown up. Happy to walk through any of it. What questions have you got?
Message 2 — The Nudge
Text · 2 days later, if nothing back
Hi [NAME], did the quote for [THE JOB] make sense? If anything looked off — the scope, the timing, the number — tell me and I'll rework it. Easier to change now than after we start.
Message 3 — The Useful One
Email · day 5
Subject: One thing worth knowing about [THE JOB] Hi [NAME], While the quote's with you — one thing that catches people out on jobs like this: [SPECIFIC, REAL DETAIL. Access, permits, lead time on a material, what the weather does to the schedule.] We've allowed for it in the quote, so nothing changes on your side. Just worth knowing if you're comparing against others, because it's the sort of thing that shows up as a variation later. Anything you want changed, say the word. [YOUR NAME] [PHONE]
Message 4 — The Scheduling Reason
Text · day 9
Hi [NAME], booking work in for [MONTH] now. Do you want me to hold a slot for [THE JOB] while you decide? No commitment — I'd just rather keep the space than have you waiting weeks.
Message 5 — The Straight Question
Text or call · day 14
Hi [NAME], where did you land on [THE JOB]? Completely fine either way — I'd just rather know than keep chasing you.
Message 6 — The Close-Out
Email · day 21
Subject: Closing the file on [THE JOB] Hi [NAME], I'll close this one off so I'm not filling your phone up. The quote stands until [DATE] if things change. After that I'd need to re-check material pricing, but the scope wouldn't change. If you went with someone else, no hard feelings at all — but I'd genuinely appreciate knowing what made the difference. It's how we get better. [YOUR NAME] [PHONE]
Message 7 — The Long Game
Text · 90 days later
Hi [NAME], [YOUR NAME] from [COMPANY]. Quoted you for [THE JOB] back in [MONTH]. No pitch — just checking whether it ever got done, and whether you still need it.
Two rules make this work. First, every message gives them a reason to reply that isn't 'have you decided yet' — a question, a useful detail, a scheduling slot. Second, it ends. Message six closes the file cleanly, which is what makes message seven welcome instead of irritating. The hard part isn't writing these — it's sending all seven, every time, on every quote, when you're busy. That's the part worth handing to software.
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