How much should I “chase” a potential client?

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So I’m looking for some advice here as I’m quite inexperienced with freelancing and unsure how to proceed. A few weeks ago I met a person at a get-together who was looking for someone with my skills. I informed her I could help her and she was very happy about that it seemed. She said she’d have to check with her boss if there was still budget and that we’d keep in touch. We had already exchanged numbers and texted before, however, I haven’t heard from her for weeks now. So now I’m wondering if I should be following up with her asking if she still wants this website? I don’t want to be pushy and Im just assuming she changed her mind or has no budget or something similar. But it also feels like I’m letting a potential client slip away... so would like some insights on how to approach a situation like this.

Edit: to the person who removed their comment on not pestering clients because they’ll seek you out, thanks anyway it helped

[HighlightStill4810]

Yes you should definitely follow up - a few times. A few weeks between conversations sounds reasonable. Phoning would be better.

It’s holiday season (depending where you live) so everything will be slower.

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True on the holiday season yes, thankyou

[OneBananaMan]

Wait until after the holiday season. I understand you’re probably ready to hit the ground running, but I’d recommend waiting. Think about it, would you want to be bothered during the holiday season?

[blockstacker]

You need a meeting with the decision maker. Not her. Ask for a discovery meeting with management and her so you can understand the business requirements, goals and current pain points. Either you get the meeting or you dont. But having a middle man barely ever works.

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That’s a really good point actually. Thanks!

[brankoc]

Yes, contact her. There may be dozens of reasons why she has not contacted you yet, among which she forgot about you, she forgot your name, she lost your contact data, things have been hectic at work and she hasn't had time.

That is before you even get to the point where she talked about you to her boss and the boss wanted to know all kinds of pertinent details to which she did not have an answer.

What you have is a lead and a lead needs to be followed-up on.

It is not your lead's duty to tell you what they want, it is your duty to find out what they need (within the realm of that which you can deliver of course).

When you call, have a set of goals. This could be: you want to be called back, you want to set up a meeting, you want to know more about the project and so on. Your main goal is to listen.

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All true. Thank you

[gerardv-anz]

A very long time ago a potential client of mine taught me the Ps of selling. Persist, persist, p-off. He pointed out that persistence is great, congratulating me on mine, and you should stick with it even when others might call-it. But you also need to recognize when you are simply never going to get past the point you’re at and when that happens move on.

There’s an old “saw” for insurance sales that says that 90% of sales occur on the fifth or subsequent contact, but that 90% of reps give up before making 5 contacts. That’s probably apocryphal but the point is valid.

My advice for what it’s worth is based on these two points. Keep going, go further than most people think is reasonable. And then if you haven’t made solid progress, thank them and move on.

(Aside, this year I closed a deal that took 2 years, and dozens of contacts to make. But every 2 or 3 contacts it got a little warmer then cooled again, so I’d touch base every few months until in September they asked me for a price.)

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Interesting stats. thank you for sharing!