Is Lead Follow-Up Killing Your Sales?

You wouldn’t leave a pile of cash sitting on the sidewalk, would you? Well, if your business isn’t following up on leads properly, that’s essentially what’s happening. According to MarketingDonut, a staggering 67% of lost sales happen because businesses fail to follow up with leads. That’s not bad luck—that’s just bad process. And if you’re in the business of helping other businesses grow (looking at you, web design companies, SEO firms, and ad agencies), then you already know that generating leads is only half the battle. The real win comes from keeping them engaged. That’s where lead nurturing email examples can make all the difference.

Why Lead Nurturing Emails Matter

Most potential clients aren’t ready to buy the moment they stumble onto your website. They need time. Time to research, to compare, to convince their team, or to wait for the stars (or budgets) to align. If you’re not following up with well-crafted, timely emails, they’re either forgetting about you or signing on with someone who does a better job of staying in their inbox.

Lead nurturing emails keep your business on their radar without being a pushy salesperson. They provide value, build trust, and gently nudge potential clients toward making a decision. Done right, they create a relationship before a sale ever happens, making it more likely that when they’re ready to buy, they buy from you.

What Makes a Good Lead Nurturing Email?

Not all follow-ups are created equal. If your version of a lead nurturing email is a single “Hey, just checking in!” message, you’re missing the point. The best lead nurturing emails are timely, relevant, and actually useful to the recipient. They should answer questions, provide solutions, or simply remind prospects why they were interested in your services in the first place.

A good email sequence might include an initial thank-you email, a case study showing results, a behind-the-scenes look at how your service works, or even an invitation to a no-pressure consultation. The key is to make sure your emails serve a purpose beyond just “following up.”

Lead Nurturing Email Examples That Work

If you’re still sending generic emails that could have been written by a chatbot from 2005, it’s time for an upgrade. Here are a few lead nurturing email examples that can actually make a difference:

The Warm Welcome Email – “Thanks for reaching out! Here’s what you can expect.” First impressions matter. This email reassures leads that they’re in the right place and sets expectations for what happens next.

The Value-First Email – “We thought this might help.” Instead of immediately pushing for a sale, share something useful—a guide, a case study, or a success story from a client in their industry. This builds credibility and keeps you in their good graces.

The FOMO Email – “Others are seeing great results. Are you?” Social proof is powerful. If your agency has helped businesses get real, measurable results, show it. Let prospects see what they’re missing out on.

The Check-In Email That Doesn’t Feel Like a Check-In – “Still thinking about [problem they have]?” This email reminds them of the problem they’re trying to solve and gently nudges them toward action—without sounding desperate.

The Final Nudge Email – “Still interested? Let’s talk.” This one is for leads who have gone radio silent. A simple, direct message asking if they’re still interested can sometimes bring them back to the table.

Fixing the Follow-Up Problem

Most agencies don’t lose sales because their services are bad. They lose them because they don’t stay top of mind. And with 67% of lost sales coming down to a follow-up failure, there’s a clear takeaway: agencies that master lead nurturing email strategies are the ones that win. If your lead follow-up process is more of an afterthought than a strategy, it’s time to rethink your approach.

If you want to see better results, you need better emails. And if you’re looking for a way to generate more leads without letting them slip through the cracks, well, you’re already in the right place.


Earn Residual Revenue

Interested in referring clients to a trustworthy provider of email marketing, SEO, or paid search?

Earn a 50% revenue for the first month and 15%/month ongoing. Learn more.

Generate More Leads

Learn how the SEO Leads team can double your lead flow. Find out here.


Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *