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Turnaround Time for a Call Back?

by lint631
9 replies
I'm in mobile web design/offline marketing and send out a ton of emails per day. I get an ok response back and some say to give them a call. My question is:

Do I call them back immediately?

Or do I wait at least 1 day to call them back?

I usually call them back asap but then I feel like I'm desperate. I think my new method will be to wait at least 1 day to call them back. Of course not more then 1 day because then I'll look unprofessional.

Just wondering what everyone else does?
#back #call #time #turnaround
  • Profile picture of the author David Miller
    I think you should be hoping that the other people they've contacted are waiting too.....and you should call!

    There's nothing unprofessional about returning calls promptly. Most business people appreciate a quick response. If someone thinks you're "desparate" because you returned the call quickly, they're also going to think they can grind your price to the ground....and is that really the client you want?
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Agreed. "Strike while the iron is hot." Not a good feeling to do your call back, only to hear, "Oh, another company got back to us sooner and we've gone with them."

    If you're worried about conveying desperation, just say, "I wanted to get back to you while this was still fresh in your mind." Make it about them, not you.
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  • Profile picture of the author ERPLeadsWriter
    I'm with the above two. The fact that they're asking you to give them a call is already a good sign that they're closer to being a qualified lead. Besides, you could probably make yourself more convenient if you call as quickly as possible because they might be too busy with other things. It may not be polite to keep them waiting.
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  • Profile picture of the author lint631
    Ok so the verdict is in. Call back right away! I usually do that but yesterday I received the message a little later then usual. I'm going to call back this am so we'll see what happens.

    Hope the competition didn't call back.
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  • Profile picture of the author lint631
    UPDATE: Called the prospect back and left a message. He then emailed me about an hour later, thanking me for the call back and has a ton of work he wants an estimate on! I guess I was lucky this time. I will be returning calls back immediately after I get them.

    I think the lesson learned is call back (like everyone here said) asap. And make sure not to make it more then 24hrs. I feel like that's the key. 24hrs or less and you look more professional.
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    • Profile picture of the author ryanmckinney
      Originally Posted by lint631 View Post

      UPDATE: Called the prospect back and left a message. He then emailed me about an hour later, thanking me for the call back and has a ton of work he wants an estimate on! I guess I was lucky this time. I will be returning calls back immediately after I get them.

      I think the lesson learned is call back (like everyone here said) asap. And make sure not to make it more then 24hrs. I feel like that's the key. 24hrs or less and you look more professional.

      It would seem you are laying a foundation: "This call calls me back promptly every time even from the first phone call" -

      I had a client who referred me to someone, and he said the main reasons was because of my communication (as well as providing a good service),and that while I didn't always answer initially (Damn you 9-5), I always called back promptly, or sent e-mails that were informative and not fluff.

      As soon as I got the referral's information, I did some quick research on his site, and then gave him a call, pretty easy to get passed the gatekeeper when they are expecting that call, had I waited, the busy business owner might not even remembered my name or that I was suppose to call and could of shrugged off the gatekeeper (possibly). I talked to him for 20-25 minutes about his business, gave some insight to areas I can help him enhance online , and he told me out of everyone he talked to I seemed way more "confident" and "knew" was I was talking about. He is moving forward with me.

      What I have learned in a short time is call immediately, grab some ammo for whatever service you intend to provide initially, find out what makes their business tick, and let them sell their selves on what it is that you want to do as a consultant.

      Ryan
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  • Profile picture of the author lint631
    Hey Ryan thanks for the advice! I agree with a quick look over is needed. You can usually point something out that they need help. An easy one I have been using is Facebook. I tell them I can help convert more likes with a custom landing page. People are obsessed with facebook and it opens doors.
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    • Profile picture of the author ryanmckinney
      Originally Posted by lint631 View Post

      Hey Ryan thanks for the advice! I agree with a quick look over is needed. You can usually point something out that they need help. An easy one I have been using is Facebook. I tell them I can help convert more likes with a custom landing page. People are obsessed with facebook and it opens doors.
      FB is a great foot in the door, until I find a solid outsourcing guy/gal for the right price and good at it, I am not offering fan pages. All of my call backs are either from A: a direct mail (fedex) campaign or B: referral

      I still work a 9-5 , and no cell phones allowed where I spend my days, so 99% of the time I always miss the initial call back. As soon as humanly possible I call back. Hell, if I wait to long I'LL FORGET to call them back.

      Ryan
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      • Profile picture of the author lint631
        Originally Posted by ryanmckinney View Post

        FB is a great foot in the door, until I find a solid outsourcing guy/gal for the right price and good at it, I am not offering fan pages. All of my call backs are either from A: a direct mail (fedex) campaign or B: referral

        I still work a 9-5 , and no cell phones allowed where I spend my days, so 99% of the time I always miss the initial call back. As soon as humanly possible I call back. Hell, if I wait to long I'LL FORGET to call them back.

        Ryan
        Hey I could always help out with your FB fan pages if needed, just let me know. I'm even thinking about creating a WSO on my process because it's pretty simple.

        On another note I just had my second call with the client and landed 2 mobile sites! I'm proud to say it was totally done through email. I'm not a fan of cold calling so I have been using email as my main source. Thankfully this one didn't slip by but I think the constant followups by phone/email landed the job. Plus my amazing selling skills (that's a joke, I suck at selling).
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