How to Follow Up Without Being Annoying : Article 9

This article is a part of a ten article series, Racing with Intention.

So you’ve made the connection. You’ve been sharing great content. You even sent a well-crafted initial message to a sponsor or marketing contact. But now comes one of the most overlooked parts of racer-sponsor relationship building—the follow-up.

This is where many racers drop the ball.

They either:

Never follow up at all, thinking “If they were interested, they’d reply.”
Or they send the dreaded: “Did you get my message?”

That’s not how you build trust or stand out in a professional space like LinkedIn.

Let’s break down how to follow up like a pro—with patience, professionalism, and purpose.

Best Practices for Following Up on LinkedIn

Wait 7–10 Days

Give your contact time to see and digest your first message. Marketing professionals are busy. Sometimes, your message just gets buried—not ignored.

Don’t Repeat—Add Value

Instead of repeating your original pitch or question, build on it.

For example:

“Hey [Name], I just posted a quick story about our last race. I think it shows the kind of authentic content I love to create for brands I work with. Would love for you to check it out.”

Other ideas:

Share a link to a recent press feature you were in.
Mention a mutual contact or company you both follow.
Offer to send a sample of your content or stats deck.

Keep It Brief, Polite, and Confident

Here’s what a follow-up message shouldn’t sound like:

“Hi again, just wondering if you saw my message?”

Instead, try:

“Hi [Name], I know your time is valuable, so I won’t take much of it. Just wanted to share something I posted that highlights the kind of partner I aim to be. Thanks for considering.”

Professionalism stands out. Assume good intent and don’t take a lack of response personally.

Make It Easy for Them to Say Yes

If someone does check your profile after you message them, make sure they immediately see your value.

Use the “Featured” Section

Pin your best:

Partner posts
Behind-the-scenes videos
Race results or media mentions
Rider spotlight articles

This curated section turns your LinkedIn profile into a quick-hit sponsorship portfolio.

Include Links When Relevant

If you post about a brand or create value-rich content, drop a link:

“Here’s the post I mentioned: [link] — it shows how I integrate my partners into race-day storytelling.”

Bonus Pro Tip: Use a Follow-Up Tracker

Don’t leave your networking to memory. Create a simple tracker (spreadsheet or CRM-style notes) that includes:

Name + Title
Brand/Company
First Message Date
Last Follow-Up Date
Response Status
Next Step

This small habit can be the difference between missed opportunities and long-term sponsorship relationships.

Action Step:

Open your messages and choose one contact you’ve reached out to—but haven’t heard back from. Send a thoughtful, short follow-up that adds value (not pressure).

Remember: Sponsors want partners, not beggars. Your professionalism and persistence set you apart.

What’s Coming Next

Racing isn’t just about the laps you run—it’s about the connections you make. This 10-part series is here to help racers like you turn LinkedIn into a place where opportunities happen, partnerships grow, and your personal brand shines. You’ll find each piece here on ScottLukaitis.com, as well as ThePrivateersStory.com, my LinkedIn page, and beyond—because your next big break could start with one conversation.

Here are links to each article in the series.

Each article includes actionable steps, real-world examples, and insider tips based on my years of experience in powersports, sponsorship, and branding.

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