1. Follow up after someone joins your free tier
Subject: Quick question about [community name] Hi [first name], thanks for joining [community name]. I'm [your name], I run it. What made you sign up? I ask everyone so I can point you to the right people. If you're working on [common goal, e.g. finishing a first romance novel], the [channel name] channel is where that happens. Reply anytime. [your name] Use this within 24 hours of a free signup, while they still remember why they joined.
2. Follow up after a conversation in another community
Subject: Following up from [Discord server / subreddit name] Hi [first name], we talked in [place, e.g. the #introductions channel of a writers' Discord] about [their problem, e.g. finding beta readers]. I run [community name], a small group of [who, e.g. indie romance authors] who [what they do, e.g. swap beta reads every week]. Want me to send you an invite? No pressure if the timing is off. [your name] Use this a day or two after a helpful public thread or DM, never as a cold opener.
3. Follow up when a free trial is ending
Subject: Your trial ends [day] Hi [first name], your trial of [community name] ends on [date]. This week you [specific thing they did, e.g. posted two chapters for feedback]. If you stay, it's [price] a month and you keep [main benefit, e.g. weekly critique circles and the editor office hours]. Join here: [link]. If it wasn't useful, I'd really like to know why. One line is enough. [your name] Send this 2 to 3 days before the trial ends, and mention something they actually did.
4. Follow up with a member who went quiet
Subject: Haven't seen you in [community name] Hi [first name], I noticed you haven't posted since [month]. No guilt, life happens. Is there something we could change that would make it worth coming back? For example, [specific option, e.g. a smaller accountability group or a monthly call instead of weekly]. Just reply with what would help. [your name] Use this after 3 to 4 weeks of silence, before they cancel.
5. Follow up after an event or live call
Subject: Notes from [event name] + what's next Hi [first name], thanks for coming to [event name]. The main takeaways were [1 to 2 short points]. The recording is here: [link]. Next one is [date] on [topic]. [Member name] also mentioned [related resource], here it is: [link]. If you want to bring a friend who'd fit in, just send them this email. [your name] Send this the same day as the event, when the energy is highest.
6. Follow up on a partnership with another community
Subject: Swapping members with [their community name]? Hi [first name], I run [community name] for [who]. Your members in [their community] and mine overlap a lot, especially around [shared topic]. Would you be up for a simple swap? I'll feature your [event / resource] in our [channel or newsletter] if you share ours with yours. Happy to go first. [your name] Use this with organizers of adjacent communities, like a romance cover designers' group if you run an author community.
7. Ask a happy member for a referral
Subject: Small favor? Hi [first name], you've been one of the most helpful people in [community name], especially [specific thing, e.g. your feedback on openings]. Do you know one or two people who'd fit in here? If so, send them this link: [invite link]. Thank you either way. [your name] Send this right after a member thanks you or shares a win; the last step is that Hulby, an AI cofounder, can draft and track these follow-ups for you daily.
People asking this right now
Real, public posts from the last few weeks. Each one is somebody you could help today.
- 🍂 We're Thankful for YOU! 🍂Tanner is showing our appreciation with a month-long giveaway! We're grateful for our customers and community, (Bluesky)
- it's times like this i am thankful for my community and customers who are so patient with me. i know i've been going slow with my commission (Bluesky)
- btw, those affected by the #a03 outage, i assure you, the romance writer community is more than happy to send each other customers! just fin (Bluesky)
- 📣 Looking for an online advertising venue? Discover SEEKERS HUB on Discord! Bring your business, share what you offer, and put your service (Bluesky)
Mistakes to skip
- Sending the same generic message to everyone instead of referencing what they did.
- Waiting a week or more to follow up after a signup or event.
- Posting promo links in other communities' channels instead of building relationships first.
- Following up once and giving up; most replies come on the second or third message.
Want this done for your community, every day?
Hulby finds the people asking for what you built, writes every reply and email, and keeps you on it until they pay. Free to start.
Find my first customersQuestions
How many times should I follow up?
Two to three times, spaced 3 to 5 days apart. Stop if they say no.
Should I use email or DMs?
Use wherever you first talked. If you met on Discord, DM there first, then move to email.
Do I need an email tool?
No. Send from your normal inbox and track people in a simple spreadsheet.
What if nobody replies?
Shorten the message and end with one easy question, like asking what made them join.