A staggering 80 percent of transactions still rely on a simple phone call. Plus, nearly 90 percent of individuals whose calls go unanswered are unlikely to make any follow-up attempts. If your calls consistently go to voicemail, you could be losing a significant amount of potential clients. But how do you reduce your voicemail rates and improve your sales leads? Read on to find out.
What’s Costing Your Business Clients?
One of the biggest causes of low sales leads is a lack of communication with potential clients. This is especially true when it comes to phone calls—after all, a phone call is often the first point of contact between a client and a business. If they can’t get through to your business on the phone, chances are they’ll move on to the next company on their list.
This doesn’t just refer to getting through to a live person, but also the quality of the call itself. If a client experiences any of the following, they’re more likely to lose interest and move on.
- A lack of first-call resolution
- Frequent call transfers
- Long hold times
- A confusing or frustrating automated phone system
- Consistently reaching voicemail
These all add up to lost clients and missed opportunities for your business.
How to Avoid Becoming Part of the Statistic
Now that you know the potential consequences, how can you prevent your business from losing out on clients and sales leads? Here are some suggestions to keep in mind:
Utilize AI Answering Systems
While everyone may appreciate the convenience of voicemail, it can also be a major roadblock when it comes to potential clients. Instead of relying solely on voicemail, consider implementing an AI answering system that can handle basic inquiries and direct the caller to the appropriate department. This also increases the chances of first-call resolution.
While automated answering systems can be useful for directing calls and managing high volumes, it’s important to note they should never replace real human interaction. Making sure your clients can speak to a live person is crucial for building trust and establishing a connection.
Have On-Call Employees
Having employees who are available to take calls outside of regular business hours can make a significant impact on your sales leads. Many potential clients may be unavailable during the day due to work or other commitments, so having someone available in the evenings or weekends can greatly increase the chances of connecting with them.
This also shows that your business is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and convenient accessibility for potential clients.
Prioritize Call Quality
As mentioned earlier, call quality is just as important as getting through to a live person. Make sure your employees are trained to handle calls professionally and efficiently, avoiding long hold times and unnecessary transfers. This not only improves the client’s experience but also increases their likelihood of becoming a loyal customer.
Hire an Outbound Sales Team
If your business relies heavily on phone calls for sales leads, consider hiring a professional outbound sales team to proactively reach potential clients. They can handle follow-up calls, appointment scheduling, and even cold-calling to generate new leads. This takes the pressure off your employees and ensures that all potential clients are properly reached.
Outsourcing also allows you to focus on other areas of your business while still ensuring a consistent and effective approach to lead generation.
Pick Up Lost Clients With Professional Lead Response From Slingshot
For a more comprehensive solution, consider partnering with Slingshot for professional sales and lead response services. Our highly trained team is available 24/7 to handle all incoming calls and follow up on leads, ensuring your business never misses a potential client. Contact a representative and increase your sales leads today.
