8. Be a little more assertive

If the timeframe you’ve requested has come and gone without a response, your messages should take on a slightly more persuasive tone. Confrontation doesn’t have to be unkind; you can simply refer back to your previous e-mail and requested timeline. Consider something to the effect of, “I had hoped to make contact by Friday, the time-frame I requested in my previous e-mail, sent on (date). I completely understand that you are busy with wedding season, but it’s necessary that we meet so that we can both move forward with our plans.” Michelle of Michelle Lange Photography says clients in this situation should ask to speak directly to the vendor: “If you do not receive a response by the reasonable response date, follow up again and request a phone call or Skype meeting to answer your question.”

9. Reach out on social

“I hope it never gets this far, but if you still do not receive a response, message them on their most active social media platform,” says Michelle of Michelle Lange Photography. Like Michelle, we encourage e-mails and phone calls first, and using social media as a kind of last resort.