We’re Not Your Ex—Just Tell Us What Changed: Silence after a proposal.

You were excited. We were excited.
We had the call, the vibe was right, the needs were clear. You asked us for a proposal. We sent it.
And then… nothing.

No questions. No feedback. No “we’re going in another direction.”
Just digital tumbleweeds blowing through the inbox.

Look, we’re not here to shame anyone. Life gets busy. Priorities shift. Budgets get reworked. Sometimes, internal chaos erupts the very moment someone hits “Send.”

But here’s the thing: if you’re running a business and you’ve asked someone for their time, their brainpower, and their roadmap… don’t vanish on them.
Not only does it damage the relationship—it quietly stalls your own momentum, too.

Let’s talk about what really happens when clients disappear after a proposal, and why a little professional courtesy goes a long way.

1. Silence Isn’t Neutral—It’s a Decision Without Context

Here’s what most business owners don’t see: when you go quiet after receiving a proposal, your silence doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
From your side, it might feel like “just waiting” or “still thinking.”
From our side, it feels like “this deal is dead.”

Agencies and consultants plan their calendars, staff, and priorities around the work they expect to bring on. When a proposal is requested, we often earmark bandwidth, pull resources, and in some cases, hold off on pitching other clients in your space.

So when that silence drags on for days… then weeks… it doesn’t feel like you’re thinking.
It feels like a slow, passive “no.”
And that affects not just our time—but your own ability to move forward.

2. We Don’t Want to Pester You—But We Need to Know

Sales follow-ups are awkward. You don’t want to feel hounded, and we don’t want to feel like we’re chasing ghosts.
The reality? Most commercial folks hate following up more than you hate receiving the follow-up.

But if we don’t hear anything, what else can we do?

Here’s what most agencies or consultants are thinking:

“Did they hate the proposal? Did someone else undercut us? Did the budget change? Did someone leave the company? Are they just super busy? Did we say something weird on the call?!”

We’re not mind readers. And if we’re keeping the door open for you, we’re also closing it to other opportunities.
That’s why even a quick “Hey—we’re not ready yet” or “We’ve decided to pause for now” is hugely helpful.

It’s not about us being pushy. It’s about not wasting each other’s time.

3. What Clients Should Ask Themselves Before Requesting a Proposal

We’re all about being proactive, but there’s a fine line between “doing research” and “sending people on a wild goose chase.”
Here are a few questions to ask yourself before hitting that “Can you send me a proposal?” button:

• Do I have a clear goal and budget?
  If not, your proposal request might be premature.
• Do I need to get internal approvals first?
  If the final decision-maker hasn’t been looped in yet, press pause.
• Am I just curious to see what agencies come up with?
  Be honest—if you're not planning to move forward with anyone, don’t waste their time or yours.
• Am I requesting proposals from five different agencies just to “see what’s out there”?
  We get it, but be transparent. Ghosting five people isn’t better than ghosting one.

4. Things Clients Should Definitely Avoid

If you’ve been guilty of a proposal ghosting in the past, no judgment—but let’s course correct:

• Avoid pretending you’re still reviewing when you’re not.
  A polite “we’re passing” is way better than false hope.
• Avoid going silent just because your priorities changed.
  We get it. Just tell us. We’ll respect you more for it.
• Avoid assuming we won’t notice.
  We noticed. We always notice.

5. How to Handle It Like a Pro (Even If You’re Saying No)

Want to be the kind of client agencies love even if you don’t move forward? It’s simple:

• 🟢 Send a two-line update.
  “Hey, we’re still finalizing things internally. I’ll circle back by [date].”
  Boom. Done. Zero awkwardness.
• 🟢 Say “not now” if needed.
  We respect boundaries and timing. “We’ve decided to pause” earns you more goodwill than ghosting ever will.
• 🟢 Offer clarity.
  “We’re going with another agency.” or “The proposal didn’t align with our current goals.” That’s golden feedback.
• 🟢 Don’t ghost. Ever.
  Silence speaks—but it doesn’t say anything helpful.

6. Final Thought: We’re Not Your Ex—Just Tell Us What’s Up

Look, you’re not obligated to work with us. That’s not the point.

The point is, we’re professionals—and so are you.
If you respect someone’s time enough to ask them for a proposal, respect them enough to close the loop.

Even a “thanks but no thanks” shows more integrity than leaving people hanging.
Because at the end of the day, agencies and consultants aren’t chasing your money—they’re chasing clarity.

🧠 TL;DR: The Courtesy Checklist

✅ Don’t request proposals unless you’re actually ready to consider them
✅ Communicate early and often—even if it’s a “no”
✅ Remember: ghosting doesn’t just hurt the agency—it delays your own results
✅ Be honest, be timely, be human. That’s all we ask.

Need help figuring out your priorities before asking for a proposal?
Let’s chat. I’d rather help you get clear than send another proposal into the abyss.
[Book a Free Strategy Chat →]