Off the Trail: The Gentle Power of Following Up

Off the Trail: Where the Broker Herd captures the spirit of exploring something new and unexpected.

“I didn’t want to bug you, but…”
That sentence has rolled off my tongue more times than I can count.

Whether it’s following up with a customer, a brand I’ve ordered from, or a friend who forgot to text back—we often hesitate. We don’t want to nag. We don’t want to come off pushy. We sure don’t want to feel like that person.

But here’s the truth I’ve come to realize in this season of life: polite follow-ups are not a nuisance—they’re often an unexpected blessing.

The Myth of Being a Pest

As a wife, mom, business owner, homemaker, chauffeur, chef [I use that term loosely], and laundry fairy—my brain is juggling so many tabs open at once, it’s a wonder anything gets remembered. And despite my color-coded calendar and my grocery list scribbled on the back of a school permission slip, things still fall through the cracks.

And I’m so thankful when someone gives me a nudge.

• That friend who re-sent the surprise birthday party details when I completely forgot my husband's friend's birthday already.

• The small business who gently reminded me I had items waiting in my cart before a launch closed.

• The teacher who followed up about the field trip form I swore I’d already returned [I hadn’t].

Not one of those reminders annoyed me. In fact, they saved me.

So now, I try to return the favor. I follow up—with kindness, patience, and the kind of respect we all deserve.

Following Up Without Feeling Pushy

Here are a few ways I try to approach follow-ups, whether I’m the one waiting or the one reminding:

1. When You’re the One Waiting…

You placed an order, reached out with a question, or are waiting on a promised update.

Kind Follow-Up Templates:

• Gentle Nudge:
  “Hi [Name], I know things get busy, so I just wanted to kindly check in on [insert item or issue]. I completely understand delays happen—just keeping this on your radar!”

• Adding a Personal Touch:
  “Hey [Name], I hope your week is going well! I wanted to follow up on my order from [insert date]. I’m really looking forward to it and just wanted to see if you had an update?”

• When It’s Time-Sensitive:
  “Hi there, I’m just reaching out again about [specific need]. I know life and business can get hectic—I’ve been there myself! Just hoping to get an update before [insert deadline if applicable]. Thank you!”

2. When You’re the One Reminding…

You run a business, lead a project, or just don’t want someone to miss out on something special.

Polite Reminder Templates:

• The Gentle Reminder:
  “Hey [Name], just popping in to remind you about [insert item]. No rush at all—just wanted to make sure it didn’t get buried in the inbox shuffle!”

• Gracious & Grateful:
  “Hi [Name], I wanted to quickly follow up about [insert detail]. Totally understand if it slipped through the cracks—just giving it a little bump to the top of the list. Thank you again for your time!”

• Humorous Honesty:
  “Just your friendly nudge! I’ve had at least three tabs open for a week now and figured this one might’ve gotten lost too 😅 No worries either way—just thought I’d check in!”

Why It Matters

Following up is less about pressure and more about partnership.

It says:
“I value our exchange enough to make sure it doesn’t get lost.”
“I understand that life happens—and I’m here to help.”
“You’re not forgotten.”

And for those of us carrying more hats than a rodeo queen at a merch table, that’s a blessing we can all get behind.

A Trail Worth Following

If there’s something you’ve been hesitant to check in about—a project, a question, an idea, or even a “just thinking of you” message—this is your sign. Follow up.

You might just be giving someone exactly what they needed to hear, right when they needed it.

With dusty hands and a grateful heart,
Brianne Evelyn