Why People Ghost You and How to Get Around It

Ghosting used to be something you only heard about in the dating world. Now? It’s infiltrated business and it feels very personal. You spend time crafting the perfect pitch, delivering real value on a discovery call, maybe even sending a follow-up or two. Then… nothing. No reply. No “thanks, but no thanks.” Just digital silence.

So what gives?

Let’s break down why ghosting happens in business and more importantly, how you can prevent it, respond to it, and rise above it.

What Is Business Ghosting, Really?

Business ghosting happens when a prospective client, partner, or connection suddenly stops responding to messages, calls, emails and voicemails with no explanation.

You might have:

• Hosted a great discovery call.

• Sent a customized proposal.

• Followed up once, twice, even three times…

And then: silence.

It’s frustrating, demoralizing, and - if I’m being honest… a little confusing. Especially when things felt like they were going well.

6 Reasons People Ghost in Business (That Aren’t About You)

1. They Weren’t Ready, and Didn’t Know How to Say It

Saying, “I’m not ready” takes vulnerability. Ghosting is easier.

2. They Felt Pressured

If your pitch leaned too hard into “now or never,” they may have pulled away just to feel in control again.

3. Their Priorities Changed

Life happens. You slipped off their radar. It’s not personal, it’s timing.

4. They Got Overwhelmed by Options

If you sounded like everyone else, or lacked a strong differentiator, you may have been silently filtered out.

5. You Didn’t Create Clear Next Steps

Leaving things with “Let me know” = invitation to disappear. No urgency, no commitment, no reply.

6. They Felt Insecure or Not Ready Emotionally

Sometimes people do want your help, but they doubt themselves. Instead of admitting that, they vanish.

How to Get Around It Without Sounding Desperate

1. Set Clear Next Steps

Every call should end with a specific action:

“Let’s reconnect Thursday at 2PM to review the agreement.”

or

“On a scale of 1–10, how ready do you feel to move forward?”

2. Follow Up with Value

Stop “checking in.” Start delivering value:

• A short personalized video

• A case study

• A relevant tool or blog post

3. Use Empathetic Permission-Based Language

“Totally understand if the timing isn’t right. Just let me know if you’d like me to close the loop… no pressure.”

This resets the tone and often prompts a response.

4. Qualify Earlier

Use pre-call/pre-qualification forms to gather information, mention investment ranges, or set expectations clearly before the call to ensure alignment early.

5. Build a Re-Engagement Flow

Ghosted leads aren’t always dead, they’re often just stuck.

Set up a 3-touch re-engagement:

1. Share a value bomb

2. Show a relatable success story

3. Ask: “Is this still a priority for you?”

What NOT to Do

• Don’t guilt-trip them

• Don’t chase endlessly

• Don’t internalize the silence

Their silence IS NOT your failure. Keep showing up with value, clarity, and leadership.

The Big Lesson: Detach from Outcome, Commit to Process

You’re not just building a business… you’re building trust.

Not every lead will say yes. But your process, your clarity, and your confidence will determine who comes back… and who refers others.

Final Thought

If ghosting is a pattern you keep experiencing, look at your process:

• Are you making it easy to say yes?

• Are you making them feel safe and supported?

• Are you showing up as a guide and not just a closer?

Fix those, and the silence gets a lot less frequent.