How many follow-ups are too many?

The line between persistence and harassment depends on context, but clear signals indicate when you've crossed it.

Signs you're sending too many:

Unsubscribe requests spike in later sequence stages

Replies become hostile or exasperated

Spam complaints increase

People explicitly tell you to stop

Industry peers comment on your aggressive follow-ups

General thresholds:

Beyond 5 to 6 total emails, response rates approach zero

Multiple follow-ups per week feels aggressive

Sequences lasting more than 4 to 6 weeks often overstay

Context matters:

High-value enterprise deals may justify more touches

Quick transactional offerings need fewer

Previous engagement (website visits, content downloads) changes the equation

Explicit interest signals warrant more follow-up

The fundamental question: If someone hasn't responded after 4 or 5 messages, they've given you an answer. Silence is a response. Continuing to message suggests you're prioritizing your goals over their clearly expressed disinterest.