You’ve had a sales enquiry. On average, how long does it take you to respond?
In the age of AI I ran a query through Perplexity.
- Responding within 5 minutes increases the likelihood of qualifying a lead by 21 times compared to responding after 30 minutes.
- Engaging leads within 60 seconds of inquiry can boost conversion rates by nearly 400%.
- A one-minute lead response time can increase conversions by a staggering 391%.
- Despite these clear advantages, only 7% of companies manage to respond to leads within the first 5 minutes. Shockingly, 55% take 5 or more days to make contact, highlighting massive room for improvement.
Generally, I agree with the sentiment: speed matters. Many of my prospects have commented on how quickly I’ve responded to their i
nquiries. But here’s the catch: is faster always better?
When Waiting Works Better
Years ago, I heard a story that’s stuck with me. A large financial institution ran a campaign offering a free consultation with an advisor. Prospects called in and left their details.
Here’s what they discovered:
- When prospects were called back immediately, conversions were low. Why? They assumed the call was from a telemarketing consultant.
- However, when the callback happened two days later, conversions shot up. The delay made prospects believe they were speaking with a “real” financial consultant who was obviously busy – a perception that boosted credibility and trust.
The Takeaway
Don’t take general advice at face value. All marketing and sales strategies need to be tested and tailor
ed to your specific circumstances. Speed isn’t always the answer—timing and context are just as crucial.
Plan for Success
I work with our clients to understand their market, determine and implement strategies that consistently increase both revenue and profitability.
As we wind down for Christmas, now and early January are perfect times to strategize for a bumper 2025.
Let’s work together to develop and implement strategies that increase both revenue and profitability, so you can exceed your growth goals.
Ready to get started? Let’s talk.
