Following up on our conversation

You will mostly see this phrase at the very beginning of an email or a LinkedIn message. It serves as the 'hook.' You state the phrase, then immediately mention the specific topic. For example: Following up on our conversation about the marketing budget. It works like a GPS for the reader's brain. It tells them exactly which 'file' to open in their head. You can also use it in a phone call if you're returning a missed call. Just make sure you actually *had* a conversation first. Using this on someone you've never met is a fast way to get marked as spam.

This phrase lives in the formal and business neutral world. It is the tuxedo of email openings—reliable, sharp, and always appropriate. In a very casual setting, like texting a friend about pizza, it sounds a bit ridiculous. If you text your best friend, "Following up on our conversation regarding pepperoni," they will probably ask if you’ve been hacked by a robot. For casual settings, stick to "Hey, about that pizza..." or "Anyway, like I was saying." Use this phrase for bosses, clients, and people you want to impress with your adulting skills. It strikes a balance between being firm and being gracious.

Imagine you just finished a job interview on Zoom. You felt great, but it’s been three days. You send an email: Following up on our conversation on Tuesday, I wanted to share my updated portfolio. This shows initiative. Or perhaps you are a freelancer talking to a client about a deadline. You might say, Following up on our conversation yesterday, I've attached the first draft. It’s also great for personal-professional crossovers. Maybe you talked to a neighbor about fixing the fence. Following up on our conversation about the fence, I found a great contractor. It turns a verbal agreement into a written record. It’s the paper trail we all need to survive the modern world.

The best time to use this is 24 to 48 hours after a meeting. This is the "sweet spot" of professional persistence. Use it when you need to send a document that you promised. Use it when you need a decision from a manager who is notoriously slow at checking their inbox. It’s also perfect for networking. If you met someone at a conference and talked about AI trends, Following up on our conversation is the perfect way to start your LinkedIn connection request. It proves you weren't just nodding while thinking about lunch. It shows you were actually listening.

Don't use this ten minutes after the meeting ends. You'll look desperate, and nobody wants to be the 'overly attached' coworker. Also, avoid using it if the previous conversation was negative or a heated argument. In those cases, it can feel passive-aggressive, like you're rubbing salt in the wound. Following up on our conversation about why I’m firing you is probably unnecessary. Finally, don't use it if the 'conversation' was just you talking at someone while they walked away. That's not a conversation; that's a monologue. You need two people for this phrase to work correctly.

Learners often trip up on the prepositions. You follow up on a conversation, not up to or of.

Another mistake is being too vague. Don't just say Following up on our conversation. and stop. You must add the about [topic] part. Otherwise, the person will spend ten minutes trying to remember what on earth you talked about. Don't make them do mental gymnastics before coffee. Also, avoid the "Per my last email" vibe. That is the angry cousin of this phrase. Stay friendly, stay helpful, and don't use it as a weapon.

If you want to sound slightly less formal, try Just checking in on our talk. It’s friendlier and works well for long-term colleagues. If you want to be even more formal (like a lawyer), you could use Further to our discussion. If you’re feeling modern and tech-savvy, many people now say Circling back to our chat. This is very common in Silicon Valley. Touching base regarding our conversation is another classic. It sounds a bit like a baseball metaphor, but it’s standard corporate speak. Just pick the one that fits your office culture. If everyone wears hoodies, go with Checking in. If everyone wears suits, stick with Following up.

Is it too formal for Slack? Yes, usually. On Slack, just say "Hey, about that thing we talked about." Does it require a comma? Yes, if it starts the sentence. Following up on our conversation, I have an update. Can I use it for a phone call? Absolutely. "I'm calling to follow up on our conversation from this morning." Is it okay to use it multiple times? Be careful. If you follow up three times in a week, you're not 'following up,' you're 'stalking.' Space it out! Remember, the goal is to be helpful, not a nuisance. Keep it light, keep it professional, and you'll be the master of the inbox.