Why do prospects suddenly disappear after showing interest, and how do top performers prevent it from happening in the first place?

In this episode, Ian and Frank break down the real reasons salespeople, real estate agents, and operators get ghosted, and why it’s almost never about follow-up frequency or buyer rudeness. Instead, ghosting is usually a breakdown in commitment, clarity, and process long before the deal goes quiet.

The guys unpack the psychology behind buyer hesitation, explain the seven levels of commitment, and reveal where most sales conversations leak momentum. From real-world war stories to practical frameworks used by elite closers, this episode teaches you how to maintain control of the process, close loops properly, and follow up with confidence, without sounding desperate or annoying.

Whether you’re in sales, real estate, leadership, or client-facing work, this conversation will change how you think about follow-up, objections, and long-term deal flow.

👇 Drop a comment with the best insight you took away or the follow-up line that’s worked best for you.

Download the Slides from today's episode

00:00 – Intro & Banter

Setting the tone and introducing the problem of getting ghosted in sales.

01:42 – Why Getting Ghosted Feels Personal (But Isn’t)

Why most people misinterpret silence as rejection.

03:10 – The Real Reason Prospects Disappear

Where deals actually break down before follow-up even starts.

06:15 – A Story from Iraq: Commitment vs Silence

Frank shares a powerful story that reframes what “ghosting” really means.

09:40 – Why “Just Following Up” Kills Deals

How weak language signals lack of authority and certainty.

12:55 – The Seven Levels of Commitment Explained

Why “I’ll call you” isn’t a close — and what actually counts as commitment.

16:20 – Where Sales Conversations Leak Control

The most common moments momentum quietly disappears.

18:45 – How Top Closers Lock the Next Step

Simple process changes that prevent ghosting before it happens.

21:30 – Follow-Up Timing: 12 Hours, 72 Hours, and Beyond

When to reach out — and when to stop chasing.

24:10 – The Psychology of Buyer Hesitation

Fear, uncertainty, and why silence feels safer than saying no.

27:05 – How to Recover a “Dead” Deal

What to say when a prospect has already gone quiet.

31:35 – The 7-Word Email That Gets Replies (Chris Voss)

A counterintuitive follow-up line that reopens conversations.

33:55 – Sales Is About Closing Loops, Not Chasing People

Why control, clarity, and leadership matter more than persistence.

36:20 – Lessons for Managers & Team Leaders

How to train teams to avoid ghosting at scale.

38:30 – Final Thoughts & Takeaways

Why follow-up is a leadership skill, not a reminder system.