How to Master the Art of Follow Up: Maximize Your Time, Money, and Energy as an Entrepreneur
As a business strategist and entrepreneur for over half a decade I can tell you the biggest game-changer for me was being intentional and strategic in my follow-up and focusing on nurturing my audience. To be successful in business, entrepreneurs need to master the art of following up. Following up with potential customers, partners, and other contacts is a key part of maintaining and growing relationships. It’s also essential for staying on top of opportunities, closing deals, and getting referrals.
In this blog post, I’ll explain what following up is, the benefits of doing it, strategies for effective follow up, tools and resources for effective follow up, tips for tracking follow up progress, techniques for optimizing follow up efforts, which of the following is consistent with relationship marketing, how to utilize automation for follow ups, and common mistakes in follow up.
What is the Art of Follow Up in your Business?
Simply put, following up is the practice of actively engaging with people or organizations you’ve previously talked to or interacted with. It’s an essential tool in any salesperson’s toolbox, as it helps them build relationships and create opportunities.
Following up is also a way to stay in touch with people or organizations and keep them engaged. When done right, it can help you stand out from the competition. This is especially true if you follow up in a way that speaks to the recipient’s needs and preferences.
Let’s dig deeper.
Benefits of Following Up in Sales both pre-and post hire.
There are many benefits to following up in sales. Here are some of the most important ones:
Strengthen relationships: Following up helps you build relationships and strengthen them over time.
Increase conversions: Following up with potential customers can help you increase conversions, as it gives you more opportunities to talk about your product and services.
Stay top of mind: Following up is also a great way to stay top of mind with prospects. When done right, it can help you stay ahead of the competition.
Generate referrals: Following up can also help you generate referrals, as it gives you the opportunity to ask for referrals from satisfied customers.
Strategies for Effective Follow Up
When it comes to effective follow up, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, there are some strategies you can use to ensure your follow up efforts are successful. Here are some of the most effective strategies:
Personalize your follow up: Personalizing your follow up messages makes the recipient feel like you’re talking directly to them. This can help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of getting a response.
Follow up regularly: Following up regularly is essential if you want to maintain relationships and stay top of mind. Make sure to follow up with people at least once a month organically. Just stay on their radar.
Follow up at the right time: Timing is everything when it comes to follow up. Make sure to follow up at the right time, such as after a meeting or right after you’ve sent an email.
Use a variety of methods: Following up doesn’t have to be limited to email. You can also use other methods such as phone calls, text messages, hand written notes (lost art) and social media messages and engaging in general.
Tools and Resources for Effective Follow Up
There are many tools and resources available to help you with effective follow up. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Email tracking tools: Email tracking tools such as Yesware, Mailtrack, and Mixmax can help you track emails, know when emails are opened, and follow up accordingly.
CRM software: CRM software such as Dubsado (link saves you 20% on your first year, Honeybook, and Monday and can help you keep track of customer interactions and ensure you follow up with the right people at the right time.
A simple to use and easily accessible lead tracker! Here is one I have for you to snag for yourself for free.
Tips for Tracking Follow Up Progress
Tracking follow up progress is essential if you want to make sure your follow up efforts are effective. Here are some tips to help you track follow up progress:
Set goals: Setting goals is essential if you want to track progress. Make sure to set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
Track your interactions: Make sure to track each interaction you have with a customer or prospect. This will help you keep track of your progress and ensure you follow up with the right people at the right time.
Use a CRM: Using a CRM will help you keep track of customer interactions and ensure you follow up with the right people at the right time. I personally use Dubsado but you need to find the systems that best fits your business. As a strategist this is something I help my clients identify.
Use analytics: Using analytics such as Google Analytics or your analytics built into your website will help you track your follow up progress and get insights into customer behavior. My website host Square Space has a great analytics feature and links to google console.
Techniques for Optimizing Follow Up Efforts
Optimizing your follow up efforts is essential if you want to maximize your time, money, and energy as an entrepreneur. Here are some techniques you can use to optimize your follow up efforts:
Automate your follow up: Automating your follow up will help you save time and energy, as you won’t have to manually follow up with each customer or prospect. I do this through my Dubsado account.
Personalize your messages: Personalizing your messages will help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of getting a response.
Track progress: Tracking progress will help you stay on top of opportunities and maximize your efforts.
Use analytics: Using analytics will help you get insights into customer behavior and optimize your follow up efforts.
Which of the Following is Consistent with Relationship Marketing?
Relationship marketing is a type of marketing that focuses on building relationships with customers and prospects. It is focused on creating long-term relationships with customers and developing loyalty.
Some of the activities that are consistent with relationship marketing include:
Personalized communication: Personalizing communication with customers and prospects is essential for building relationships.
Customer loyalty programs: Loyalty programs are an effective way to reward customers for their loyalty and encourage them to continue to do business with you.
Relationship building activities: Activities such as events, webinars, and live chats can help you build relationships with customers.
Referral programs: Referral programs are a great way to encourage customers to refer your business to their friends and family. See my previous trainings on this. Increase your revenue through authentic referrals and Master your money though affiliate relationships.
Common Mistakes in Follow Up
When it comes to following up, there are some common mistakes you should avoid. Here are some of the most common mistakes in follow up:
Not following up: One of the biggest mistakes you can make is not following up. Make sure to follow up regularly with customers and prospects to stay top of mind.
Not personalizing messages: Not personalizing messages is another common mistake. Make sure to personalize your messages to make the recipient feel like you’re talking directly to them.
Not tracking progress: Not tracking progress is another mistake you should avoid. Make sure to track your progress so you can stay on top of opportunities and maximize your efforts.
Not utilizing automation: Not utilizing automation is another mistake you should avoid. Automation will help you save time and energy, so make sure to use it to your advantage.
Conclusion
Following up is an essential tool in any Entrepreneur’s toolbox. It’s a great way to build relationships, stay top of mind, increase conversions, and generate referrals. To be successful in business, entrepreneurs need to master the art of follow up.
In this blog post, I’ve explained what following up is, the benefits of doing it, strategies for effective follow up, tools and resources for effective follow up, tips for tracking follow up progress, techniques for optimizing follow up efforts, which of the following is consistent with relationship marketing, how to utilize automation for follow ups, and common mistakes in follow up.
If you want to master the art of follow up, make sure to use the strategies, tools, and techniques outlined in this blog post. This will help you maximize your time, money, and energy as an entrepreneur.
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Danielle Throckmorton is a business strategist, coach, speaker and luxury retreat host. A two-time NextGen Under 30 award winner, Danielle now offers business strategy and coaching services to female entrepreneurs through 1:1 mentoring, workshops and retreats.