How important is following up with businesses?

You didn't do anything wrong. Direct Marketing is a numbers game. For every 1,000 letters, postcards, emails...etc you send out, you may get 5 or 6 responses. Research information on direct marketing, cold calling, direct emailling...etc to get the best possible reponse pullers.

In my experience with direct marketing, it usually takes about 4-7 follow up attempts before you will get a bite or possibly a sale. The more they see your message or hear your voice, the more it will be on their mind and want to try you out.

If you plan on cold calling, don't drill them from the get go. Ease them to the call of action and don't let up. If they really need your service, they will come around more easily if they are comfortable talking to you.

KISS-Keep It Simple Superstar

You could probably benefit from a thread I started the othe day.
I'm a business owner and I can tell you now follow up is vital.

http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...lly-think.html

There has been some really good comments on the thread I hope you benefit from it.

Following up is very important. At least once. After that, if you don't hear anything, then you can leave it. But many business owners, myself included, are simply so busy that it's not uncommon to be interested in something like a cold offer, but then just completely forget about it. If someone calls me to remind me they sent me an offer, I'm more likely to want to refresh my memory and hear about it again.

Good for you getting out there and prospecting! Now, on to what you could improve on My advice comes as a cold caller for years - which doesn't matter, a follow up is a follow up.


YES. people are busy, rude, uptight and otherwise need prodding especially when they didn't expect your call or email. No, most people that receive a call, email or VM (that's another issue) do not respond immediately unless they were already looking for what you are selling. Put it this way, if I NEVER called back those that were out of the office, or that I sent an email to that didn't answer, or that I was sent to VM on...I'd be horrible at my job. You call them back, because it will be the only way you will get a response with some people. Even if that response is no, you aren't left wondering.

You can do it anyway you want, but here is my suggestion (and again I may be biased). You would serve yourself better pulling their phone number and email and making yourself a list (like excel). I'm assuming you already pulled a list of emails, so do both at the same time. Then, CALL THEM, and say "My name is Melissa with ABC Services, I know you are busy, but I'd like to know if I can send you an email to introduce myself and my SEO services." They are going to say:
1- NO (then thank them and call the next guy)
2- Well tell me a little more about yourself first (and then you're in on the phone)
3- Yes, and they'll give you an email address (to which you reply, "great, look for an email with the subject _____, is there a day I can follow up with you next week to discuss?" They'll either say whenever, or yes, or no...but you'll call them anyways to FOLLOW UP!)

Now, for that second question. If you do it your way, and blind email, then you should still call them back, but you say this when you call. "This is Melissa with ABC Services, I sent you an email on Wednesday and didn't hear back from you. I'm sure you're busy, but I wanted to make sure you got it and answer any questions." They will say:
1- No, I didn't get it (then you can either pitch on the phone or verify email, or ask them to check spam...and send it again)
2- Yes, I got it but I'm not int (rebuttal or move on)
3- Yes, I was just busy, tell me a little more OR YOU say, when is a good time for us to discuss for a few minutes on the phone? How about Tuesday at 1 pm? (BAM, appt)

Nothing, you can only learn by doing...not by not doing.

Good luck! PM me if you have any other questions or need some more advice!