I used to take client silence personally. If they ghosted after I sent a proposal, I’d spiral.

I used to take client silence personally. If they ghosted after I sent a proposal, I’d spiral.

“Did I charge too much? Say something weird? Did they hire someone else?”

Then I found this one-line email that changed everything.

“Hey [Client Name], have you given up on this project?”

Credit where it’s due — this came from Chris Voss, FBI negotiator and author of Never Split the Difference.

And the reason it works?
It flips the script.

Instead of begging for attention, you’re creating psychological contrast – gently challenging their commitment without sounding pushy.

It sparks what behavioral scientists call cognitive dissonance – they don’t want to see themselves as “someone who gives up,” so they re-engage to close that loop.

It’s polite.
It’s disarming.
It’s confident.

When I started using it, clients not only replied – they apologized for the delay.

Now I teach my team:
“Detach emotionally, follow up respectfully, and trust that timing is part of sales psychology.”

Save this for the next time a dream client goes quiet. You’ll thank me later.

#freelancerlife #salespsychology #followupstrategy #clientrelationships #emailtips