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

In foreign trade business, it is common for customers to "read but not reply", but through precise follow-up strategies and speech design, the response rate can be effectively improved. The following are 20 high-frequency business scenarios and coping methods , combined with the practical experience of foreign trade veterans, to help you turn "silent customers" into "active buyers". The speech methods are all accompanied by Chinese and English translations, which can be directly applied!

1. Basic follow-up scenarios

1. No response after product inquiry

Reason : The customer may compare quotes 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 quotation for [Product A], we have optimized the packaging solution specifically for your market, which can reduce the cost 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 for a week. Are you satisfied after testing it? We support customized adjustments to ensure that 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 the contract/proposal is sent

Reason : Dispute over terms or internal approval delay.
response :

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

• Talking skills :
  “[XX clause] in the proposal can be adjusted flexibly. If it is confirmed this week, an additional 5% of 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

Reason : Change in demand or supplier switching.
response :

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

• Talking skills :
  "Recently, the purchase volume of customers in [a certain country] has increased by 30%. Attached is the market data for your reference. Do you need to adjust your purchase plan?"
  "Procurement from [Country] has increased by 30% recently. Attached market data for reference. Need to adjust your plan?"

5. Customer replies "No demand at the moment"

Reason : Low actual demand or euphemistic refusal.
response :

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

• Talking skills :
  “We’ve just launched [feature X] to solve [pain point Y]. Order this month and enjoy an exclusive discount!”
  "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 responded for 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 on [product] makes me concerned that we’re not meeting a need. Can you please let me know of your concern? We’ll do our best to address it!”
  "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, with product videos and customer cases attached.

• Talking skills :
  "The [Product C] you were interested in at the exhibition has updated its technical parameters. 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 reminder

Reason : Tight funds or process jams.
response :

• Method : Emphasize the impact of overdue payments (such as delayed delivery) and provide 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 have customized an annual purchase rebate plan for you. If you achieve your goal, you can get a maximum rebate of 5%. Would you like to call us for detailed instructions?"
  "Customized annual rebate plan for you—up to 5% back! Can we discuss details via call?"

3. Advanced Ice-breaking Scenarios

11. The customer changes the contact person

response :

• Talking skills :
  "Welcome to join! This is a record of past cooperation. If you need to adjust your strategy, we are always ready 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 sorted out 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 of the product], which has the same core functions 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 reviews. You can arrange online inspection at any time!"
  "Here's our factory video and client reviews. Online inspection available!"

15. Delay in internal decision making by the client

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 products] are now online, order now to enjoy holiday specials!”
"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 subject line.

• Talking skills :
  “I am worried that you may not have received the previous emails, so I am 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 noticed that [Trend X] is popular in your market recently, and we have 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 that I may have missed 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-ups 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 pain points when following up next time.

Finally, a reminder : No response from the customer does not mean no chance, it may be that the timing is not right. Be professional, patient, and provide value, and the orders will come naturally!