How to follow up without being annoying
The difference between a follow-up that gets a response and one that gets ignored is usually length and pressure. Short emails with a single clear question get answered. Long emails that explain why you need a response get deferred.
For proposal follow-ups: wait 3-5 business days, send one short email, then one more after another week. After that, let it go — a client who won't respond to two follow-ups isn't coming back.
For client ghosting mid-project: acknowledge the silence without accusation, give them an easy way back into the conversation, and set a soft deadline. Most ghosts come back when you make it easy rather than uncomfortable.
For feedback delays: include a specific question. "Any thoughts?" gets deferred. "Does the color direction work, or should I explore other options?" gets answered.