Have you ever called a restaurant excited to make a reservation, but then were placed on hold forever? Or maybe you were trying to make an appointment, but no one could attend to you at that moment? It’s a frustrating experience having to wait, and makes you want to just call the next company on your list.

This is how clients feel when you don’t respond to their inquiry right away! They get frustrated, impatient, and can quickly move on to someone else.

The most difficult part of advancing prospective clients into actual clients is making sure your turnaround time is immediate.

Tick Tock: Clients Want Fast Responses

When clients are interested, they want you to engage with them right away! Why? Often because they’re over-the-moon excited to begin planning their event. Businesses that take longer to get back will be left in the dust, because that client will have found someone else who already responded to their inquiry.

Many clients are also pressed for time and don’t want to wait days before you address their request or proposal. Amidst their busy lives and jobs, they want the ease of immediate communication, as well as assurance that their event is already “in the books”.

Have you ever lost a client because you took too long to get back to them? While it may never be your intention, prospective clients will often go with the first event rental company they like that gets back to them. How can you make sure that’s you?

Make Magic Happen

As an event rental business owner, your busy calendar is never-ending. There will always be a need to attend to in order to make magic happen for your existing clients. Needless to say, it’s important to pay attention to prospective clients, because they also want to be a part of the magic you create! While it may prove difficult to always be on top of acknowledging prospective clients, it’s essential you do so for everyone’s benefit. They want you and you want them!

Whether it be in the evening or on the weekends, often new event requests or email inquiries will hit your inbox outside of your business hours. Given that prospective clients are also busy during the day with their jobs, that may very well be the most popular time to reach out in the first place.

Yes, you could hire one employee to work crazy nocturnal hours in the evenings and on the weekends. While having this employee on standby during off-hours sounds handy, the truth is it’s a ridiculous waste of time and money (and will likely cause this employee to eventually storm off and quit). It’s impossible for a person to check every single email and receive every single call that comes in real-time, especially during off-hours.

The true best solution to give prospective clients immediate responses is by allowing technology to do it for you.

Your Website Is Key

While addressing new clients at any time, any hour seems impossible— we live in an age where technology and software make everything possible.

If prospective clients are interested in your services, the first thing they will do is go to your website. Your website is your best friend for securing new leads and getting them knocking on your door! When was the last time you purchased something without googling it first? Your clients are doing the same thing with you and your services.

It’s important to leverage your website as an appealing digital storefront or online lookbook, because this is where your prospective clients will get dreamy eyes over your inventory! The last thing you want is for them to click the exit button before they’ve even learned what you’re all about.

If your website catches their attention, prospective clients will browse all the inventory you have to offer and consider making an inquiry. Make sure to list your prices, because clients appreciate price transparency and in the end it wastes no one’s time.

Instead of making prospective clients craft you a long email with their inquiry, why not allow them to easily start building their quote straight from your website? That would make it really easy to start the conversation and get the ball rolling, PLUS it removes a ton of leg-work from you and your sales team! Think about how much business you are missing out on by not having an easy-to-use, customizable experience on your website.

Goodshuffle Pro’s Website Integration allows prospective clients to build their dream proposal as they’re browsing your website. For them, it’s as easy as online shopping and adding items into their cart! When they submit their proposal, the project is immediately started in Goodshuffle Pro, reducing the back-and-forth between you and your client.

It’s time to stop losing contracts from long turnaround time and start impressing with quick responses. If someone believes you have what it takes to make their special occasion memorable, make magic happen for them! Your services (and time and energy) are valuable, and deserve to be experienced by all who are interested (and willing to pay what you’re worth)!