How to respond in the DMs when prospects say "let me think about it"
The 5 types of "not ready" messages and the responses that keep conversations alive
“This sounds interesting. Let me think about it and get back to you.”
You read it 3 times, looking for something you missed.
The conversation was good.
They engaged. They asked questions. They even said it was “exactly what I need.”
Then... that.
After going back and forth in your head, you finally type:
“Sounds good! Let me know if you have any questions.”
Reading it back, you cringe.
You just handed them permission to ghost you.
Here’s what I learned after analyzing 200+ “not right now” messages - they’re not all the same hesitation.
Each one is asking for something specific, and when you give them what they’re actually asking for, the conversation stays alive.
Today, I’m sharing the 5 types of “not right now” messages you’re getting in your DMs… and the exact responses that keep prospects engaged, without sounding pushy.
What “I need to think about it” actually means (hint: not what you think)
Why “let me talk to my spouse” is actually a buying signal - and how to respond
The response pattern that turns vague stalls into clear next steps
Let’s decode your “not ready” messages...
5 Secrets Most Coaches Miss When Prospects Say “Not Right Now”
Here’s what actually happens when prospects hesitate:
1️⃣ Secret #1: “I need to think about it” = Needs clarity, not time
SCENARIO: You just had a solid DM conversation. They engaged with every message. Asked follow-up questions. Then they hit you with: “This sounds interesting. Let me think about it and get back to you.”
You assume they’re blowing you off.
Instead of pushing for the sale, recognize what they’re really saying:
“I don’t understand enough to make a decision.”
❌ Before: “Sounds good! Let me know if you have any questions.”
✅ After: “That makes complete sense. What I’ve found is that most people who need to think about it usually have one or two specific questions that would make the decision clearer. Is there a specific part of the process or outcome you’d like me to clarify?”
Here’s how to handle clarity seekers:
1️⃣ Validate immediately: Never argue with “I need to think about it” - acknowledge it as smart
2️⃣ Share a similar example: Show what “thinking about it” often reveals when you dig deeper
3️⃣ Ask what needs clarity: Make it about a specific question. instead of leaving it vague
Instead of treating hesitation like rejection, you treated it like a request for more information (because it is).
2️⃣ Secret #2: “Let me talk to my spouse” = Needs permission language
SCENARIO: 11:23 PM. You’re reviewing your DM conversations from the day. One prospect said: “This looks good, but I need to run it by my husband first.”
You write them off as not being the real decision-maker.
Here’s what they actually mean:
“I want to move forward, but I need help explaining this value to someone who wasn’t part of our conversation.”
❌ Before: “Of course! Let me know what they say.”
✅ After: “That’s a completely reasonable approach. In my experience, having specific information often makes those conversations more productive. What questions do you think he’ll have?”
Actionable implementation:
Ask what questions their spouse typically asks about business investments
Offer a simple one-page summary they can share
Validate that this is a smart way to make decisions (because it is)
Your close rate improves simply because you started giving them ammunition instead of waiting passively.
3️⃣ Secret #3: “Maybe next quarter” = Needs budget/priority validation
SCENARIO: You’re scrolling through Instagram when a DM comes in from a conversation you had yesterday: “I love this but our budget is tied up right now. Can we revisit in Q2?”
You assume they can’t afford it.
What they’re actually saying:
“I need help justifying this against other priorities I’ve already committed to.”
❌ Before: “No problem! I’ll check back with you in April.”
✅ After: “I completely understand about budget allocation. Since you mentioned you love this approach, what would staying with your current situation for another 90 days likely cost you in terms of the results you’re trying to achieve?”
Actionable implementation:
Help them calculate what three months of the current problem costs
Reference someone in their industry who did the timing math
Make it about when the ROI makes sense, not whether they can afford it
Instead of accepting vague delays, prospects start doing the real math with your help.
4️⃣ Secret #4: “I’m not sure if I’m ready” = Needs confidence-building
SCENARIO: Tuesday morning. Coffee in hand. You open your DMs to find: “This all makes sense, but I don’t know if I’m ready to commit to something like this.”
You think they’re not serious.
What they’re actually worried about:
“I’m worried I’ll fail or won’t be able to do this successfully.”
❌ Before: “I understand. Reach out when you’re ready!”
✅ After: “That’s actually a really healthy concern. What I’ve found is that readiness usually isn’t about being fully prepared, it’s about having the right support and structure. What specifically would make you feel more ready = more clarity on the process, seeing how it works for someone at your level, or something else?”
Actionable implementation:
Never dismiss “I’m not ready” - it’s a real concern about capability
Share an example of someone who felt the same way and succeeded anyway
Ask what specific element would increase their confidence
Your conversion rate increases because you started addressing confidence instead of just capability.
5️⃣ Secret #5: “Can you check back with me?” = Needs you to lead timing
SCENARIO: Friday afternoon. You’re wrapping up the week when you see: “This is definitely interesting. Check back with me in a few weeks.”
You add a reminder to follow up in 14 days.
What they’re really doing: Delegating the timing decision to you because they’re interested but need you to guide the next step.
❌ Before: “Will do! Talk in a couple weeks.”
✅ After: “I appreciate your interest and I’m happy to stay connected. Rather than me guessing when to reconnect, what’s actually driving the few weeks timeline… is it budget timing, current projects wrapping up, or something else?”
Actionable implementation:
Ask what’s actually driving their timeline instead of accepting vague dates
Show the cost of waiting through a relevant example
Offer to schedule the next conversation now based on their real constraint
Your prospects start revealing the actual barrier instead of hiding behind vague delays.
That’s it.
Here’s what you learned today:
→ “I need to think about it” means they need clarity on something specific, not more time
→ “Let me talk to my spouse” is a buying signal—they need ammunition for that conversation
→ Vague timing delays mean they need you to lead, not wait
Take your next “not right now” message and identify which of these 5 types it is before responding.
You’re not bad at handling objections - you’re just a little to quick to give up.
When every “not ready” message gets the same follow-up, prospects disengage.
Today’s paid member mega-prompt helps you analyze any hesitation message and craft the exact response that addresses their real need...without sounding pushy.
Paid members get:
✔ The “Not Right Now” Message Analyzer mega-prompt
→ Identifies which of 5 hesitation types you’re dealing with
→ Breaks down what they’re really asking for
→ Writes the 4-step response that keeps conversation alive
✔ Breakdown of the psychology behind each response
✔ 3 warning signs that a “not ready” message is actually a polite rejection
Every paid member mega-prompt now comes in 3 formats:
• ChatGPT Version → Copy-paste friendly. Clean text format you can drop straight into ChatGPT.
• Claude Version → XML structured. Optimized for Claude (and other models that follow tags closely) so the output stays tight and consistent.
• Automation-Ready Version → JSON format. Built for builders who want to plug AI outputs into workflows like Zapier, n8n, Airtable, or APIs.