follow-up
Scannednpx machina-cli add skill humanizerai/agent-skills/follow-up --openclawWrite Follow-Up Email
Generate a follow-up email that re-engages prospects who didn't respond.
Input
Parse $ARGUMENTS for:
- Original email or context of first outreach
- Days since last email: How long ago was it sent
- Follow-up number: Is this #1, #2, or #3?
- New context (optional): News, trigger events, new value to offer
If original context is missing, ask for the key points from the first email.
Strategy by Follow-Up Number
Follow-up #1 (3-5 days after)
- Assume they're busy, not uninterested
- Add new value or angle
- Keep it shorter than original
Follow-up #2 (7-10 days after)
- Try a different approach
- Share a relevant insight or resource
- Reframe the value prop
Follow-up #3 (14+ days after)
- "Break-up" email or permission-based close
- Give them an easy out
- Last attempt before moving on
Frameworks
The Bump
- Quick, friendly nudge
- "Floating this back up" energy
- Best for follow-up #1
The Value-Add
- Share something useful (article, insight, idea)
- Shows you're thinking about their problems
- Best for follow-up #2
The Breakup
- "Should I close your file?"
- Creates urgency without pressure
- Best for follow-up #3
Hard Rules
- Shorter than original - Each follow-up gets shorter
- New angle: Don't just repeat the first email
- No guilt trips: "I haven't heard back" sounds needy
- No "just checking in": Empty phrase, add value instead
- Reference original: Brief callback to first email
- One CTA: Same or simplified ask
- 30-75 words max: Follow-ups should be scannable
What NOT to Write
- "I wanted to follow up on my last email" (weak opener)
- "I'm sure you're busy but..." (apologetic)
- Resending the exact same email
- Being passive-aggressive about no response
- Multiple CTAs or new complex asks
Output Format
Subject: Re: [original subject] or [new short subject]
[Email body]
[First name]
Framework used: [which one] What's different: [how this differs from original] Word count: [number]
Source
git clone https://github.com/humanizerai/agent-skills/blob/main/skills/follow-up/SKILL.mdView on GitHub Overview
Write follow-up emails that re-engage prospects who didn't respond. The approach uses proven psychology for follow-up sequences and notes that 42% of replies come from follow-ups. Each message is shorter than the original, introduces a new angle, and sticks to a single call to action.
How This Skill Works
Inputs are parsed from ARGUMENTS: the original email context, days since last email, follow-up number (1-3), and an optional new context. Depending on the follow-up number, the system applies a framework: The Bump for #1, The Value-Add for #2, and The Breakup for #3. All outputs are 30-75 words, reference the original briefly, and include a single CTA; the output format prescribes a subject and body.
When to Use It
- After the initial outreach, 3-5 days later (Follow-up #1) to acknowledge busyness and add a new value.
- 7-10 days after the original email (Follow-up #2) with a different approach and a relevant resource.
- 14+ days after the original email (Follow-up #3) as a breakup/close with an easy opt-out.
- When you have a new context (news, trigger events) to share that alters the value proposition.
- When you want to briefly reference the original email and present a single, clear CTA.
Quick Start
- Step 1: Parse inputs: original email, days since sent, follow-up number, and optional new context.
- Step 2: Choose framework by follow-up number: #1 = Bump, #2 = Value-Add, #3 = Breakup.
- Step 3: Write 30-75 word email with a single CTA, reference the original, and format with Subject and Body.
Best Practices
- Shorter than the original email; each follow-up should be briefer.
- Use a new angle or value instead of repeating the first message.
- Avoid guilt trips and apologetic language.
- Drop empty phrases like 'just checking in' and replace with value.
- Reference the original briefly and keep to one CTA; 30-75 words max.
Example Use Cases
- Bump (Follow-up #1): Subject remains the same; body adds a quick value nugget and references the first email.
- Value-Add (Follow-up #2): Share a relevant article or insight tied to their industry or pain point.
- Breakup (Follow-up #3): Final note with an easy opt-out and a single CTA to schedule a short call if interested.
- Context-trigger: Mention a recent product update or market change that affects their use case.
- Single CTA: Propose one clear action (e.g., a 15-minute call) with no other asks.
