By Nazreen Daud, Malay web consultant and marketer in Singapore, founder of Mulacan · Originally shared on LinkedIn, 13 October 2026
The short answer: following up a few working days after a verbal yes is normal, and most of the time people just got busy. What matters more is what you send. A verbal yes isn't the problem; a yes with no date attached is. Resend the quote in three lines, offer a real date, and don't start work until the deposit is in.
Why do clients say yes and then go quiet?
"Looks good, we'll get it moving next week."
Then… nothing. No reply. No deposit.
This week I saw a business owner describe exactly this. They sent a final quote on Friday. By Wednesday, silence. Their question: is following up now normal, or does it look too eager?
The answers from other owners were reassuring. Following up after a few working days is normal. Most of the time, people simply got busy. Your quote is one of fifty things on their list, not a test of your worth.
But the most useful advice wasn't about when to follow up. It was about what you send. As one reply put it: the verbal yes isn't the problem. A yes with no date attached is.
When should you follow up after a verbal yes?
A few working days is a sensible default. If they said "next week", follow up early that week. If they gave no timing, three to five working days after the quote is reasonable. The key is that your follow-up gives them something easy to say yes to.
The six-step checklist from verbal yes to deposit
| Step | What to do | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Before the call ends, ask: "What do you need from me to get the deposit moving this week?" | It turns a vague yes into a concrete next action |
| 2 | Don't send "still good?". Resend the quote in three lines: what's included, the deposit, and the date it holds | It's easy to read on a phone and easy to act on |
| 3 | Offer a real date: "I have the 20th open. I can hold it until Friday." Only if it's true | A real slot gives the decision a deadline without pressure |
| 4 | Say your payment terms out loud before they sign | Nobody likes discovering clause 9 later |
| 5 | Don't start work on a verbal yes | It protects your time and sets the tone for the project |
| 6 | Still quiet? One more message next week, then let it go | You stay professional and keep your energy for clients who are ready |
1. Ask for the next step before the call ends
The best follow-up happens before you hang up. "What do you need from me to get the deposit moving this week?" is friendly, practical and hard to misunderstand.
2. Resend the quote in three lines
"Just checking, still good?" gives them nothing to do. Three short lines do: what's included, the deposit amount, and the date the deposit holds. They can reply "yes" from a lift.
3. Offer a real date, honestly
"I have the 20th open. I can hold it until Friday." This only works if it's true. Invented scarcity damages trust fast. A real calendar slot, though, is simply useful information.
4. Say your payment terms out loud
Don't leave the deposit, payment schedule or cancellation terms buried in clause 9. Mention them on the call and in your three-line summary.
5. Don't start on a verbal yes
It's tempting to "get a head start" to look keen. But starting before the deposit tells the client the deposit is optional.
6. One more message, then let it go
If there's still no reply, send one more short, friendly note the following week. Then move on. That's not pressure. You simply have a calendar.
Losing deals between "yes" and "paid"? Book a call with me and we'll look at your quote-to-deposit process.
How can a system help you follow up consistently?
Most deposits slip not because the owner doesn't care, but because follow-up lives in their head. A clear next step, from first enquiry to booking to follow-up, is what Mulacan is built around. Reminders, templates and a clear pipeline mean the "Wednesday, still no reply" moment gets handled the same calm way every time.
As a Malay web consultant and marketer in Singapore, I care a lot about this part of the journey, because a beautiful website that brings in enquiries is only half the job. The other half is turning those enquiries into booked clients.
After a verbal yes, how many working days do you wait before following up? 1, 3 or 5?
FAQ
How long should I wait to follow up after a client says yes? A few working days is normal. If the client mentioned a timeframe, follow up at the start of it. Otherwise, three to five working days after sending the quote is reasonable. Make the follow-up easy to act on rather than just asking if they're still interested.
What should I say when following up on an unpaid deposit? Resend the essentials in three lines: what's included, the deposit amount and the date the deposit holds. If it's true, offer a specific available date and how long you can hold it. Keep it short, friendly and easy to answer from a phone.
Should I start work before receiving the deposit? It's safer not to. Starting on a verbal yes tells the client the deposit is optional and puts your time at risk if the project stalls. State your payment terms clearly before they sign, and begin once the deposit is in.
How many times should I follow up before giving up? A practical rule is one follow-up after a few working days, and one more the following week. If there's still no reply, let it go politely. You keep the relationship intact and your energy for clients who are ready.
Next step
Want a follow-up system that turns more yeses into deposits? Book a call with me. Read more about me, see the tools I use, or explore my ventures.