Oh, mate. Of course it's been buried. That proposal's sitting at the bottom of a pile of fourteen Slack pings, three broken ad accounts, and someone's urgent request to "just make the logo bigger." You're gonna have to call them back, and you're gonna have to dial up the charm like you're selling ice to a penguin.
Here's how I'd play it - not a script, more a vibe:
"Hey X, brilliant to meet you the other week. Thanks for letting us throw our hat in the ring. I know I'm just buzzing you out of nowhere - got two minutes? No? Cool, when works?"
If they say no, lock a time immediately. Don't let them ghost.
Then hit them with: "Honest thoughts on the proposal? Even if it's just feedback - what stank?"
That usually gets a real conversation going. Then I lean into their risk fears about working with a startup. Something like: "You mentioned the 'startup risk' - I get it. But I genuinely believe the customers we onboard now are building the DNA of this company. That means we'll bend over backwards to make sure you're happy. Here's how it's going with a couple of other early fools... I mean, adopters."
Ask questions. Shut up. Listen. Follow the thread like you're tracking a runaway cart.
Don't try to close. Not yet. If it's a fact-finding call, let it be exactly that. End with an ask for an in-person meeting or at least a Teams call with a few decision-makers so you can answer every boring question in one go.
And for the love of god, stop stressing about the call. I treat every follow-up like I'm ringing a mate to see if they fancy a pint. We're all just humans doing a job - 99% of them are less terrifying than you imagine. The other 1% get filed under "wanker" and never thought of again.
