How to respond to "not the right time": email templates
"Not right now" is often true, and arguing with it rarely works. This reply accepts it, asks what would need to change for the timing to be right, and agrees a specific date to check back. You leave with a real follow-up date instead of an open-ended "reach out anytime".
;sl-obj-timing;sl-obj-timing in any app.Variations
The same message for a different channel or tone. Copy the one that fits.
When there's a real, specific cost to waiting that they may not have considered.
For a quick reply in chat or LinkedIn.
When to use it
- The prospect says "not now", "next quarter" or "after our launch".
- They're interested but have a genuine competing priority.
- You want a specific check-back date rather than an open door.
What to avoid
- Don't argue that now is the right time. Ask what would make it so.
- Don't invent a cost of waiting. Only use the variant when the cost is real and specific.
- Don't forget to follow up when you said you would.
The fields in this template
Retext fills these in when the snippet expands. In plain text they become [brackets] to replace by hand.
- First name
{fill:First name} - The prospect's first name.
- Check-back month
{fill:Check-back month} - The month you'll follow up, e.g. "January".
- Cursor
{cursor} - Where your cursor lands after the snippet expands, so you can start typing the personal part straight away.
- ;sig-work
{snippet:sig-work} - Pulls in your ;sig-work snippet, so a change to that snippet updates every reply that uses it. Create a snippet with that trigger first (any template in the email signatures pack works), or the field stays as typed.
- What happens if they wait
{fill:What happens if they wait} - A specific, true consequence, e.g. "your current contract auto-renews in March".
Tips
- •The question about what needs to happen often reveals the real objection, like budget or a missing stakeholder.
- •Record the check-back month in your CRM the moment you send this.
- •When the month arrives, ;sl-reengage picks the conversation back up.
Works in Gmail, Outlook, LinkedIn, HubSpot and every other app
Retext types the snippet wherever your cursor is. To use a different version in one app, give it the same trigger and limit it to that app with per-app snippets. They go by app, not website, so every tab in your browser counts as one app.
Keep all three objection replies in the team pack under the shared sl-obj- prefix. New reps learn them faster as a set.
See Retext for TeamsQuestions
How do I respond when a prospect says it's not the right time?
Accept it, ask what would need to change for the timing to work, and agree a specific date to check back. Then follow up on that date.
Is "not the right time" a real objection?
Often it is. Sometimes it covers budget or authority concerns. Asking what would make it the right time usually tells you which.
Related templates
Objection: too expensive
;sl-obj-priceSales
Hi [First name], Thanks for being straight about the price. So I can respond properly: is it high compared to another op…
Re-engagement email
;sl-reengageSales
Hi [First name], We last spoke in [Last contact month] about [Topic]. You mentioned the timing would be better after [Wh…
Breakup email
;sl-breakupSales
Hi [First name], I haven't heard back, so I'll assume [Topic] isn't a priority right now, and I'll stop following up. If…
Type ;sl-obj-timing, get the whole reply
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