Link building in 2025 is still driven by one essential skill: persistence. But in a world flooded with outreach emails, it’s not the initial pitch that makes the difference—it’s the follow-up.
Whether you’re waiting on feedback for a guest post, chasing down a link placement, or confirming editorial approval, most successful link builders agree: the deal is rarely sealed in the first message.
Yes, you should send follow-ups after your initial pitch. Many link builders know this, and many tools can automate follow-up messages that are part of a sequence before a contact responds.
Where many outreach professionals fall flat is after they’ve made contact. That’s the silent killer of countless link opportunities—and it’s preventable.
We use Rebump to help manage our follow-ups for all of the link building strategies we run for clients. We’ve been using it for years and have learned a lot about post-contact follow-ups, so this article will detail some of the knowledge we’ve acquired over the years.
Why Following Up After Contact Matters More Than Ever
Once a prospect replies to your initial outreach, you’ve passed the hardest hurdle. They’ve shown interest. Maybe you’ve sent over a guest post, a quote for inclusion, or a link suggestion. Then… nothing.
This “dead air” moment is where many link builders give up, assuming the lead has ghosted. But the reality? They’re just busy.
Following up after contact is where deals get closed. A well-timed nudge can bring your email back to the top of their inbox, remind them of your value, and help move things forward.
PR statistics show that journalists and bloggers get as many as 150 pitches per week, so following up, even after you make contact, will help you stand out. With AI emailing tools, this number is expected to increase rapidly over the coming months and years.
Successful follow-ups aren’t aggressive—they’re thoughtful, timely, and structured.
Tips for Following Up After a Lead Replies
Here are some things we’ve learned along that we follow at our agency to get responses after we’ve already had a conversation with a prospect.
1. Track Your Sent Content
If you’ve sent a guest post, contribution, or asset, note the date and set a reminder to follow up in 3–5 business days. Don’t wait weeks. Editors often want to publish but need a push.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Nudge More Than Once
If your first follow-up goes unanswered, send another one a week later. Keep it polite, and reiterate your message clearly. A simple “Just checking in—wondering if you had a chance to review my guest post?” is often enough. In general, it’s good to send 3-5 follow-ups.
3. Add Value, Not Pressure
Use your follow-ups to show that you’re invested in the collaboration. For example: “I’ve just updated the draft with a more recent stat—thought you might like to see the new version.” This keeps the door open and provides a reason to re-engage.
4. Use Tools to Stay Organised and Consistent
Manual tracking can get messy, especially when you’re handling dozens of active conversations. This is where automation tools like Rebump shine, especially after a lead has replied.
How Rebump Helps You Stay on Top After the First Response
One of the most overlooked stages in link building is following up after someone has already shown interest. You’ve sent the content… now you’re waiting. This is where Rebump can save you from missed opportunities.
Here’s how Rebump fits into your process:
- Automated Follow-Ups for Ongoing Threads: Rebump works inside Gmail and sends follow-up emails only if the recipient hasn’t replied. So if you’ve sent a guest post and the editor goes silent, Rebump automatically sends polite reminders on your behalf. Rebump has a good library of follow-up templates that you can look through for ideas.
- Customisable Messages and Intervals: You can control how soon Rebump follows up and what it says. This helps your nudges feel natural rather than robotic.
- Stops on Reply: The moment your contact responds, all future bumps stop, avoiding the awkwardness of chasing someone who’s already engaged.
- Hands-Off Yet Human: Rebump lets you follow up without hovering over your inbox. Once your draft is sent, it handles the rest, keeping things personal but scalable.
With rebump, we’ve been able to maintain our post-contact follow-up sequences, but have been able to cut time spent on outreach by 30%.
Final Thoughts
Many link builders know how to write a compelling pitch. Far fewer know how to close the loop after interest has been shown.
That’s where the real opportunity lies in 2025.
By following up professionally after contact, especially when you’ve sent content or deliverables, you’ll recover deals others leave hanging. With a clear process and tools like Rebump to help handle the follow-up load, you’ll win more links, faster.
Don’t just start strong. Follow through.