# Follow-up email + reply handlers

Send **exactly one** follow-up, 5 business days after the original.
If no reply to the follow-up, move the KOL to the "cold" list and do
not contact again for 6 months.

---

## Follow-up email

**Subject:** Re: [original subject line]

Hi [first name],

Following up on my note from last week — totally understand if this
isn't a priority right now.

If it helps, the one thing I'd most value is a 60-second gut check on
the [fact-check warning](https://outlineai.dev/r/ymyl) — specifically
whether the [non-dismissible banner approach](https://outlineai.dev/r/sleep)
reads as responsible or paternalistic to a working SEO.

Either way, no pressure. The [samples library](https://outlineai.dev/r/samples)
is public if you want to look at any of it later.

[Your name]
OutlineAI

---

## Reply handler: "Tell me more"

Reply within 4 hours. Don't paste a feature list. Paste one specific
thing you want them to look at and the relevant tracked link.

> Thanks [name] — appreciate the reply. The single thing I'd most
> want your eyes on is [one specific thing, e.g. "whether our
> internal-link-suggestion output is useful for your content cluster
> model"]. Here's the YMYL sample that exercises the
> [fact-check warning flow](https://outlineai.dev/r/sleep).
>
> If you'd like a 6-month Pro code to actually try the workflow,
> your work email works — I'll send a fresh key today.
>
> [Your name]

## Reply handler: "Send me a code"

Send the code same day. Use the existing `api_keys` table — generate
a key with `credits = 600` and `label = "{kol_slug} - 6mo trial"`,
then email it. Never promise custom features; the KOL is testing
the current product.

> Here's your 6-month Pro code: [key]
> It works on https://outlineai.dev and via the API. The endpoints
> are documented at /#api on the homepage.
>
> One ask: if you publish anything, please use this short link so
> we can credit the trial: https://outlineai.dev/r/{kol_slug}
>
> [Your name]

## Reply handler: "Not interested" / "Wrong fit"

Reply once, briefly, then stop. Do not try to re-engage.

> Understood — thanks for letting me know. If anything changes,
> the [samples library](https://outlineai.dev/r/samples) is public.
>
> [Your name]

## Reply handler: "How much to write a sponsored post?"

Default answer for KOLs we trust: yes, we can pay, ballpark is in the
USD $300-800 range for a single review post, and we pay 50% upfront
on a published URL we approve. We do not pay for positive coverage;
the review is the review.

Do not commit to a number without checking the budget first.

## Reply handler: silent (no reply after follow-up)

Move to the "cold" list. Do not email again for 6 months. The
original email and follow-up stay in the sent log so we know
attempt history. The `/r/{kol_slug}` link still works for organic
click attribution if they ever share it themselves.

## Reply handler: angry / "this is spam"

Reply once, briefly, apologize, remove from the list immediately.
Do not argue, do not justify, do not try to recover the
relationship.

> Apologies — I misjudged the fit. Removed from the list, won't
> email again.
> [Your name]