As a service business ramping up your advertising efforts, you’ll inevitably encounter leads that you can’t assist for various reasons. While it might be tempting to ignore these inquiries, that approach can harm your business in the long run. At OEPMA, we believe in creating a system to handle these situations professionally and beneficially.
Why You Might Not Be Able to Help Every Lead
- The job isn’t worth your time or effort
- The request is outside your scope of services
- The project is too large for your current capacity
- You’re booked out for months
- The lead is outside your geographic service area
The Danger of Ignoring Leads
Ignoring leads you can’t help does nothing for your business and can actually harm it:
- It leaves a bad taste in the potential client’s mouth
- They may share their negative experience with others
- It could lead to poor reviews or negative word-of-mouth
How to Handle Leads You Can’t Help
Respond Promptly: Always acknowledge the inquiry quickly.
Be Candid: Explain truthfully why you can’t help them.
Educate About Your Services: Clearly outline what you do and send detailed information about your services.
Offer Recommendations: For work outside your scope or not worth your time, refer them to another business. For geographic limitations, help them find local businesses to contact.
Explain High Demand: If you’re booked up, communicate your current workload. This signals your business’s quality and demand.
Follow Up: Send a handwritten note thanking them for their submission or call. Recap your conversation to reinforce your professionalism.
Network: Inform businesses you’ve referred leads to them. This can build valuable connections and potential for future referrals.
The Benefits of This Approach
By handling these leads professionally, you:
- Maintain a positive brand perception
- Turn a potential negative into a positive experience
- Create opportunities for future business or referrals
- Build a network within your industry
Remember, your marketing and advertising appealed to these leads for a reason. Don’t waste that goodwill by ignoring them. With minimal effort, you can transform these interactions into positive experiences that enhance your brand’s reputation.
Want to learn more about effectively marketing your business? Reach out to us at OEPMA for expert guidance and strategies.
