When a lead says call me next month, ask for a date before you hang up: which week, and which day suits? Send a one-line note the same day with the date in it. Put the date in your list, so the call is a task and not a memory. Send at most one useful thing in between, and call when you said you would.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| On the call | Ask for a date, not a month |
| Same day | One line that confirms it |
| In between | At most one useful thing |
| If they miss the date | One message with two new dates, then park |
The method
“never letting a day word survive on its own. friday, early next week, end of month, that is where this always goes wrong. make yourself write a real date and time”A reply in r/RealEstateTechnology, on notes from phone calls. "Next month" is a day word too.
- Ask for a date: "Which week works, and is a morning or an afternoon better?" If they give one, you have a plan.
- Write the real date in your list as you hang up. "Next month" is not a date.
- Send one line the same day that confirms it. It reminds them and gives them an easy way to move it.
- In between, send at most one useful thing, such as an answer to something they asked. Nothing that only says you remembered.
- On the day before or the day itself, send a short reminder, then call at the time you said.
- If they miss it, message once within a day with two new dates. If that gets no answer, set one more date and then park.
3 messages to adapt
Replace every [BRACKET] with a real fact. If you cannot, delete the line.
- Confirm the dateHi [NAME], good to speak. I have you down for a call on [DAY, DATE] at [TIME]. If another day suits better, tell me and I will move it.
- Something useful in betweenSubject: [TOPIC]: the answer to your questionHi [NAME], You asked about [WHAT THEY ASKED] when we spoke. [THE ANSWER IN ONE OR TWO LINES.] No need to reply. I will call on [DATE] as agreed. [YOUR NAME]
- They missed the dateHi [NAME], I tried you on [DATE] and missed you. Would [DAY AND TIME] or [DAY AND TIME] suit? If the timing has changed, tell me and I will leave it until you are ready.
When to send them
- Put the real date in "Don't chase before". The free tool keeps the lead off your list until that day, then shows it as "Your planned date has come".
- With no planned date, the sales preset lists a person after 5 working days of silence. That is too soon for someone who said next month, so always set the date.
- Send the confirmation the same day and the reminder the day before or the day itself.
- If the date falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, move it to a working day and say so.
What to avoid
- Writing "next month" in the date column.
- Calling on the first of the month without agreeing to it.
- Filling the gap with weekly check-ins.
- Sending a brochure to show you remembered.
- Letting the date pass without a message.
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Who to chase today
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Questions people ask
What if they will not give me a date?
Offer one: "Shall I call on [DATE]? Tell me if another day is better." A date they can change is easier than one they have to invent.
Should I contact them before next month?
At most once, and only with something useful to them. A message that only says you remembered is a nudge they did not ask for.
Is call me next month a polite no?
It can be. You cannot tell from the words. A date they agree to is a better sign than a month. If they will not agree to any date, treat it as a soft no and park them for three months.