You may have read our last article about calling a lead within the first five minutes to maximize lead conversion. What happens if you do not receive an answer? Should you keep calling? Research shows that using a mix of communication methods is the most effective way to contact a potential client. With today’s technology, many people are more receptive to answering a text or an e-mail or are more likely to answer a call from someone who has followed up with different methods of communication. Doing so will ensure that you have made the best use of your leads.

Studies Show Consumers May Prefer Text Messaging Over Phone Calls

“So many people don’t like talking on the phone or answering calls from unknown numbers, so we like to also send prompt emails and text messages to the lead as well.”

-Attorney Eric C Staton, Mintz Law Firm, LLC

While a phone call is the standard industry choice for contacting leads, many consumers may not be receptive to the traditional method of communication. Many people will not answer a call from an unknown number, or may not answer a call while at work. Your call may get sent straight to voicemail, leaving you with another lead to follow up on. According to statistics by TextMagic, many consumers across industries prefer text messaging for appointment setting or transactional messaging. This means that you are more likely to get a response from a lead and make an appointment if you not only make a phone call but send texts and email messages as well.

Using Call, Text, and Emails Maximizes Your Chances of Conversion Threefold

If you have followed the advice to call a lead within the first five minutes, utilizing different outreach methods will only increase your success further. By hitting all of these communication methods, you can make sure that you communicate effectively with every single lead you receive. Some people prefer phone calls, many prefer more traditional methods of communication. By covering all these bases, you make sure to reach out to each and every lead in a way that is effective and likely to convert them to a client.

Personalized touches to correspondence can make this method even more effective. Use names, personal details, and different messaging types to make leads feel like you care about them. If someone feels acknowledged by a business, they are more likely to respond.

Many People Expect You to Text or Email

Because automated text messaging and emails are so common in multiple industries, most people expect this kind of communication from all businesses they interact with. If someone receives an automated text or email from their dentist or retail store, they may come to expect this same effort in communication from someone who is trying to get their business. By using different methods of contact, you show that you are serious about doing business with them and that you are up-to-date with industry communication standards.

Make Use of Automated Messaging Systems to Further Help Your Business

Many businesses are now utilizing online chat functions and automated messaging systems to keep up with leads and clients. Online chat functionality on your business’s website will help clients have instant access to a representative. Many people do not like to speak on the phone, even if they intend to follow up. Having instant chat access that makes communication easily accessible can make all the difference.

Automated messaging also allows your firm to persistently follow up on leads without having to remember to do so. Following up on leads is only a small fraction of the work you do, and it may be hard to remember to make multiple follow-up attempts or to schedule those in amongst the work you do. Automated messaging makes sure that you follow up on leads without having to think about it, increasing lead conversion rates further. Automated messaging is also a useful function even after you have converted a lead. Automated messages that send appointment reminders or confirmations can be not only helpful for you and the client but make the client feel important and well taken care of. This is important for maintaining good client relations and ensuring a good experience for your client. The better experience the client has, the more likely they are to recommend you to someone, prompting even more potential clients.

Social Media is Another Effective Way to Communicate

These days, almost everyone has a social media presence. Whether it be LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook, utilizing social media can be extremely helpful to your business. In addition to phone calls, texts, and emails, your social media presence can be an effective way of communicating with leads. Use your leads to tailor posts and ads to reach your specific client base. Many people will check out social media pages before following up with a business. If they see content that appeals to them, they are even more likely to follow up.

Respond quickly and in a personal fashion to any messages, you receive on personal media. People may be more likely to ask questions on a social media website, and this can be an effective tool for communicating with leads if used correctly.

Leads Are Important to Your Business — Make Sure You Are Using Them!

Some studies show that many firms not only wait to follow up on leads but also do not follow up at all. By contacting leads quickly and with a variety of communication methods, you can make sure you get a leg up on the competition, and that you are utilizing the leads that you pay for.

At Legal Brand Marketing, we specialize not only in generating leads for your firm but also in talking you through implementing a brand strategy that makes sure you utilize those leads effectively to maximize firm business. You owe it to your business to follow up on each and every lead in the most effective way to generate as much business as possible.

Contact Legal Brand Marketing for questions about lead conversion success or if you need help implementing lead conversion strategies for your firm.