How to follow up with foreign trade customers who always don’t reply or respond? 20 high-frequency scenarios practical guide!

In foreign trade, it's common for customers to read your messages but not respond. However, precise follow-up strategies and well-designed sales pitches can effectively increase your response rate. Below are 20 common business scenarios and solutions , combined with the practical experience of experienced foreign trade professionals, to help you turn silent customers into active buyers. Each sales pitch comes with English and Chinese translations for immediate application!

1. Basic follow-up scenarios

1. No response after product inquiry

Reason : The customer may compare quotations from multiple suppliers, or the priority of their needs may change.
response :

• Method : Follow up after 3-5 days, emphasizing product advantages and differentiation (such as quality, delivery time, certification, etc.).

• Talking skills :
  "Hello! Regarding the quote for [Product A], we've optimized the packaging specifically for your market, reducing costs by another 5%. Do you need to adjust the details?"
  "Hello! Regarding the quote for [Product A], we've optimized the packaging for your market, reducing costs by 5%. Would you like to adjust details?"

2. No feedback after sample delivery

Reason : The sample did not meet expectations, or the customer's decision-making process was long.
response :

• Method : After confirming the arrival of the sample, follow up within 1 week and ask for specific feedback.

• Talking skills :
  "Sample B has been sent out a week ago. Are you satisfied after testing it? We support customized adjustments to ensure it meets your needs 100%!"
  "Sample B was sent a week ago. Are you satisfied with the test results? We support customization to meet your needs 100%!"

3. No response after sending the contract/proposal

Reason : Disputes over terms or internal approval delays.
response :

• Method : Follow up after 7 days and provide a "simplified plan" or shorten the validity period of the terms.

• Talking skills :
  "[XX clause] in the proposal can be adjusted flexibly. If confirmed this week, an additional 5% spare parts will be given!"
  "The [XX clause] in the proposal is negotiable. If confirmed this week, we'll add 5% spare parts for free!"

4. The customer has not placed an order for a long time

Cause : Change in demand or supplier switching.
response :

• Method : "Value push" once a month to share industry trends and new product updates.

• Talking skills :
  "Recently, customer purchases in [a certain country] have increased by 30%. Attached is market data for your reference. Do you need to adjust your purchasing plans?"
  "Procurement from [Country] has increased by 30% recently. Attached market data for reference. Need to adjust your plan?"

5. Customer responds "No demand yet"

Reason : Low actual demand or polite refusal.
response :

• Method : Plant the hook and follow up three months later with a “limited-time offer” or “solution upgrade.”

• Talking skills :
  "We've launched [feature X] to solve [pain point Y], and you can enjoy an exclusive discount when you order this month!"
  "Our new [Feature X] solves [Pain Point Y]. Exclusive discount for orders this month!"

2. Advanced Game Scenarios

6. The customer has read but not replied many times

Reason : Lack of interest or waiting for price reduction.
response :

• Method : Change the communication channel (such as LinkedIn, WhatsApp), shorten the conversation, and ask questions directly.

• Talking skills :
  "Your silence about [product] makes me concerned that we're not meeting a need. Could you please share your concerns? We're committed to addressing them!"
  "Your silence on [product] worries me. Could you share your concerns? We'll fix it!"

7. Customers disappear after bargaining

Reason : Testing the bottom line or turning to low-price suppliers.
response :

• Method : Focus on quality and provide "tiered pricing" (price reduction for larger quantities).

• Talking skills :
  "If the order volume increases by 20%, the unit price can be reduced by 8%. This is our bottom line, but we will never compromise on quality!"
  "If the order increases by 20%, the price drops 8%. Our bottom line, but quality remains!"

8. No follow-up with exhibition customers

Reason : Information overload or lack of urgency.
response :

• Method : Send an "exhibition summary email" within 3 days, attaching product videos and customer cases.

• Talking skills :
  "[Product C], which you were interested in at the exhibition, has updated its technical specifications. Click on the video to see the actual test results!"
  "[Product C] you focused on at the exhibition has updated specs. Click for video demo!"

9. No response to payment reminders

Reason : Financial constraints or process delays.
response :

• Method : Emphasize the impact of overdue payments (such as delayed delivery) and offer installment payment plans.

• Talking skills :
  "If payment is completed this week, production will be prioritized to ensure on-time delivery!"
  "Payment this week ensures production priority and on-time delivery!"

10. Decrease in orders from old customers

Reason : Intervention of competing products or dissatisfaction with service.
response :

• Method : Take the initiative to arrange a telephone conference and propose an "annual cooperation rebate plan".

• Talking skills :
  "We've customized an annual purchasing rebate plan for you, offering a maximum rebate of 5% if you achieve your goals! Would you be willing to call us for more details?"
  "Customized annual rebate plan for you—up to 5% back! Can we discuss details via call?"

3. Advanced Icebreaking Scenarios

11. Customer changes contact person

response :

• Talking skills :
  "Welcome! This is our past cooperation record. If you need to adjust your strategy, we are always available to cooperate!"
  "Welcome! Here's our cooperation history. We're ready to adjust strategies!"

12. The customer has questions about the product but has not clarified them

response :

• Talking skills :
  "For the [Problem A] you mentioned last time, we have compiled 3 solutions. Which one is more suitable for you?"
  "For [Issue A], we prepared 3 solutions. Which suits you best?"

13. Insufficient client budget

response :

• Talking skills :
  "If your budget is limited, I recommend the simplified version. It offers the same core functionality, but costs 30% less!"
  "For limited budgets, try [simplified version] with core functions—30% cheaper!"

14. Customers are comparing suppliers

response :

• Talking skills :
  "This is our factory inspection video and customer testimonials. You can arrange online inspection at any time!"
  "Here's our factory video and client reviews. Online inspection available!"

15. Delays in Customer Internal Decision-Making

response :

• Talking skills :
  “Would you like us to provide [market data/competitive analysis] to help you drive internal processes?”
  "Need [market data/competitor analysis] to speed up internal approval?"

4. Special Scenarios

16. Holiday follow-up

Talking skills :
"Happy holidays! Our [new product] is now available, order now to enjoy special holiday discounts!"
"Happy holidays! [New product] launched—special discount for festive orders!"

17. Customer emails are blocked

response :

• Method : Send the email to a different email address and write “Urgent: Important update about [order/product]” in the title.

• Talking skills :
  “We are worried that you may not have received the previous emails, so we are sending them again. Please confirm your needs!”
  "Worried you missed previous emails. Resending—please confirm needs!"

18. Changes in customer needs

response :

• Talking skills :
  “We’ve noticed [Trend X] is trending in your market lately, and we’ve launched an adaptation solution!”
  "Noticing [Trend X] in your market—we've launched compatible solutions!"

19. Customers are dissatisfied with the service

response :

• Talking skills :
  "Sorry to disappoint you! We have upgraded our service process and attached the rectification plan for your review."
  "Sorry for the inconvenience! We've upgraded services—please review our plan."

20. Customer forgets to respond

response :

• Talking skills :
  "Your silence makes me worried I've missed some important information! Could you please reply '1' to confirm the progress?"
  "Your silence worries me! Reply '1' to confirm progress, please!"

Core Principles

1. Every follow-up must bring value : whether it is new products, discounts or market data, avoid empty urging.

2. The rhythm is flexible : the first three follow-up visits with new customers are spaced 1-3-7 days apart, and then extended to 2-4 weeks.

3. Multi-channel coverage : Email + LinkedIn + WhatsApp combination to increase exposure.

4. Record customer preferences : Use AB Customer CRM (free) to record customer concerns and address their pain points next time you follow up.

A final reminder : A lack of customer response doesn't mean there's no chance; it might just be that the timing isn't right. Be professional, patient, and provide value, and the orders will naturally follow!