The “get back to me later” objection: how to turn it into a meeting

How to tell a real reason from a polite no, four responses that turn “later” into a meeting with substance, and why you shouldn’t get in touch before then without a reason.

It also sounds like this: “Call me again after the summer.”, “Now isn’t a good time.”, “Get in touch again next year.”

When the objection comes

At the end of a call or meeting, when the topic fits in principle, just not now.

What’s behind it

Something specific is coming up.
How to tell: The person names the reason: a restructuring, the budget round, a project already under way.
A polite no with a date.
How to tell: Asked “What will be different then?”, they have no answer.
The topic lacks urgency.
How to tell: The person agrees there is a problem, but nothing forces them to act.

How to respond

Replace whatever is in [brackets] with your own details.

“What will be different in six months from today?”
A real reason has an answer; a polite no doesn’t.
“If nothing changes by then, would it still be on your list?”
Checks whether the problem stays. If it does, waiting itself costs something, and you can say so.
“Sure. Shall we fix the date now so neither of us has to remember? Does [date] work for you?”
A date in both calendars is a meeting. “I’ll get in touch” is an intention.
“What should have happened by then for us to have a useful conversation?”
Turns the later meeting into a conversation with substance rather than a reminder call.

What not to say

“OK, I’ll get in touch then”, with no date.
Without a date there is no meeting, just an intention nobody will remember in six months.
Creating artificial time pressure.
A discount that is only valid until Friday costs trust if the reason for “later” was real.
Calling regularly in the meantime.
The person named a time. Getting in touch before it without a reason ignores that.

If the objection stays

If it stays at “later”: set a date, note what should happen by then, and call at exactly that time, referring back to today’s conversation.

Frequently asked questions

What do I say to “get back to me in six months”?

Ask what will be different then. A real reason has an answer, a polite no doesn’t. If the reason is real, fix the date straight away.

How do I turn “later” into a real meeting?

With a date in both calendars, not with “I’ll get in touch”. And with the question of what should have happened by then, so the conversation has substance.

Can I get in touch before then?

Only with a reason, for example when something has changed on their side or yours that matters to them. Without a reason, an earlier call ignores the time they named.

More objections

All objections at a glance, with two responses each →Objection handling techniques: from the clarifying question to pre-empting →