So what is the true cost of forgetting follow up?
The cost of this is vital. As you think of yourself as a consumer, imagine calling your doctor because you are really ill and asking for an appointment and they never call you back.
Perhaps you have a family event you are planning and the venue of your choice just forgets to call you back. Well, you as a consumer in both cases would do what everyone would do and just move on to another provider.
This is the same thing that happens in your business, whether direct sales or network marketing. If you don’t call back, they too, will move onto another representative with your company and/or another product and service all together.
We live in a get it now society. Think about it, when you want something, how patient are you for others to call you back.
So here are a few tips to help you with follow up:
- Keep a written list of everyone you are talking to or have a master list.
- Use your calendar to remind you when to follow up. If you have a paper calendar, make sure you have it with you at all times. If you have an electronic calendar, make sure you have a device charger with you so you always have access to the device your schedule is on.
- Ask your contact what is the best way for you to follow up. Some ideas are text, email, phone call, social media messengers or in person.
- Most importantly, do what you say you are going to do.
- If you forget an appointment or have a conflict, make sure you reach out as soon as you can and don’t make excuses. Tell them what happened – you forgot, you got tied up, something came up. This makes you real and vulnerable. Most people have done this. Don’t make it a habit, but being real is attractive to most people. It is all in how you handle it.
In our industry it is easy to think of people who are succeeding and seem to have everything go their way. My guess is they are doing three things consistently. They are 1) talking to a lot of people and making sure their pipeline is full and 2) they are following up when they say they will and 3) they are asking their potential person to either buy their product and/or join their team.
Following up might be the most important part of growing your business. After all, what good is it to call and introduce what you have to your prospect if you never take the time to water the seeds that have been planted? It is like gardening. You have to take care of those seeds that have been planted. If you don’t follow up, in most cases, those seeds will wither and die or grow and take root onto someone else’s source of nourishment.
Follow up and watch your business grow! The fact is, it is not about the perfect words to say, it is about putting your idea/product/opportunity out there and seeing who is interested. Some will say yes, some will say no and some will simply not decide. Your job is to share and follow up.
Much Success! Have an outstanding day!!
Sara