7 steps to getting your hot leads on the phone

The seven steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Call within seconds, not hours

   Interest fades fast, and the lead probably filled out a competitor’s form too. Call the moment the form comes in, ring every available rep at once, and track response time by rep and by source.

2. 2

   Step 2: Keep your numbers off the spam list

   A “Spam Likely” label means the lead never answers, no matter how fast you call. Register your numbers, show your business name, use local numbers, and replace any that get flagged.

3. 3

   Step 3: Text before and after you call

   A heads-up text puts a name to your number before you call. A missed-call text lets the lead reply when it suits them, and a reply is a hot lead.

4. 4

   Step 4: Get past AI call screeners

   iPhones and Android phones can now screen unknown callers automatically. Don’t hang up: say who you are and what the lead asked for in one sentence, then wait for them to pick up.

5. 5

   Step 5: Leave a voicemail that gets a callback

   Most leads won’t answer the first call. Under 30 seconds: your name, company, what they asked for, one reason to call back, and your number twice. Then send a text.

6. 6

   Step 6: Follow up more than once

   One attempt isn’t enough. Plan a multi-day sequence of calls, texts and voicemails at different times of day, and stop when the lead answers, books, or asks you to stop.

7. 7

   Step 7: Cover leads that come in after hours

   Leads fill out forms at night and on weekends. Text back right away, and call as soon as you’re allowed: 8 AM to 9 PM in the lead’s local time.

The checklist has the full list for every step, ready to print. Get it free.