A check-in is an indirect request for our time or attention, and we find ourselves wishing the sender had gotten straight to the point. There is no one-size-fits-all alternative to "just checking in" and It’s not a new phrase you need but an entirely new strategy.

We all instantly see through a "just checking in" email

Even when you’re ultimately trying to get something, it can be helpful to give something useful as a lead-in. Example: Are you still looking for solutions to convert [company] website visitors to subscribers? I read a great article this morning about the power of using quizzes to ease visitors into your sales funnel, and I thought you’d appreciate a link. Do you have a few minutes Tuesday at 2:30 Eastern to chat about it? If you're networking or pursuing a sale, use this approach and the approaches that follow. Conclude with a CTA that points your contact at the next step.

Offer something of value

There’s no better way to network than going to events, so why not invite your most valuable contacts to join you? Example: I was making plans to attend the Great Big Event the weekend of July 7th and it occurred to me you might be interested in going. If you decide to register (or you already have), let me know so we can get together for coffee or lunch. I hope to see you there!

Recommend an event you're attending in their area

Use the request for a status update as a call-to-action, and make it time-sensitive so you’re more likely to get a response. Example: I’d love to hear how things are going with the Great Big Infographic design brief. Could you give me a quick status update by end-of-day?

Directly Ask for an update

It never hurts to mention the connections you and your contact have in common as long as they’re relevant to the ongoing conversation. Example: I had lunch with Kylie Larson yesterday and your name came up. (All good things!) She said your team is still looking for the right project management tool. I wondered if [software] is still on your radar. I could set you up with a free trial account. Then we could meet for a 15-minute video walk-through so you can see if [software] is the best solution for you. Should I make that happen?

Drop a name

Emails get lost in busy inboxes. It happens. Your contact might appreciate a reminder that there’s still an open email chain needing attention. Example: Did this thread get buried? I wanted to make sure things were still in progress. Let me know if you need any help.

Send a friendly reminder

It’s likely you and your contacts and sales leads have some common interests. When a contact or their company posts something relevant to you, that’s a perfect reason to check-in. Example: I read your blog post about email funnel strategies yesterday. I liked what you had to say about building trust with new subscribers. That’s the email marketing philosophy we embrace at ABC Consultants, too. I’d love to meet for coffee this week to talk about potentially working together. Are you available Thursday at 10:30 a.m.?”

Reference a blog post they published

If you’re concerned that a task may have fallen through the cracks, start with a little context. It can be helpful to explain why the task is important to you, too. Example:Last Friday, we talked about growth strategies over lunch, and you shared some thoughts. You offered to put together a list of project ideas for further brainstorming. I’ve been excited to get your input. Have you had a moment to jot those ideas down?

Open with context

“Just checking in” emails are the bane of working professionals. Here are a few expert tips to make sure your follow-up incites action, not apathy.