People who fill in a form are usually comparing options. The first company to respond helpfully often wins — and contact rates fall quickly as minutes turn into hours. Speed to lead is one of the cheapest ways to improve marketing results, because you have already paid for the lead.
Build the process
- Instant confirmation by email (and SMS where you have consent) telling them what happens next.
- Instant alert to sales or the call center, with the lead’s details and source.
- First call within five minutes during business hours — automatic dialling helps.
- A cadence for those you miss: several attempts over several days at different times, plus email.
- Nurture for those not ready: helpful emails until they are.
Sample cadence
Day 1: call immediately, after an hour and late afternoon, with an SMS after the first missed call. Days 2–3: morning and evening calls. Days 5 and 7: call and email. Then move to monthly nurture.
Measure it
- Median time to first contact.
- Contact rate within one hour.
- Conversion rate by response time.
Respect consent
Only call and text with valid consent, follow calling-hour rules, and honour opt-outs immediately.
Learn the full system in Sales & Conversion.