You spent time pricing the job. Maybe you visited the site, measured, ran the numbers and wrote it up. Then you sent it and moved on to the next thing. A week later you realize you never heard back, and by then they've hired someone else.
That's not a sales problem. It's a reminder problem.
Why quotes go quiet
Customers rarely say no. They get busy, they're comparing two other quotes or they had a question they never asked. Often the business that checks in is the one that gets the job. Most small businesses don't, because nothing reminds them.
The rule
- Day 3: a short, friendly check-in. "Hi Jen, just checking that the quote came through and whether you had any questions."
- Day 7: one more nudge, with a reason to decide. "We're booking into November now. Want me to hold a spot for you?"
- After that: mark it Declined or keep it on a monthly list. Two follow-ups are helpful. Five are pushy.
Make it automatic
The trick is not having to remember. Here's the simple setup we use for clients:
- Every quote goes in one tracker with the customer, the amount and the date you sent it.
- Mark the status "Quote Sent."
- Every morning at 8 AM, the system checks for quotes that hit day 3 or day 7 and sends you one email listing who to call, with their phone and email.
- When they say yes or no, change the status and the reminders stop.
Revised the quote? Change the date and the cycle starts over. No new software to learn, and it works even when your computer is off.
What it's worth
Look at your last ten quotes. How many did you never follow up on? If even one of them would have closed with a phone call, that's real money you already did the work for.
Get it set up
Our Quote Follow-Up Autopilot starts at $300 and is included free with the Never-Miss-a-Lead Setup. See how it worked for a local custom apparel shop.