The 5 replies every business should have running
Ready-to-paste templates for the five messages you're losing clients over, even if you've tried automation before and it felt robotic. Swap the brackets, set them live and stop replying a day late.
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The business that answers first usually wins. Not the best one, the fastest one. When Harvard Business Review researchers sent a test inquiry to 2,241 U.S. companies, 23% never answered, and the ones that answered within 30 days took 42 hours on average. You can't sit on your inbox at 11pm on a Sunday, which is exactly when people ask. These five replies handle the first 30 seconds for you, so a real conversation is still alive when you show up.
Source: J. Oldroyd, K. McElheran and D. Elkington, “The Short Life of Online Sales Leads”, Harvard Business Review, March 2011.
“How much is it?”
Fires whensomeone asks about price in a comment or DM.
Great question, happy to help. [Service] usually runs between [$X and $Y], depending on [what drives the price]. To give you an exact number, can I ask two quick things: [Q1] and [Q2]? I'll send a precise quote right after.
Why it works
A range kills the ghosting that “DM us for pricing” causes, and the two questions turn a price-shopper into a conversation.
After hours
Fires whena message arrives outside your business hours.
Thanks for reaching out. You caught us after hours, but your message is first in line. We're back at [time] and you'll hear from a real person then. If it's urgent, reply URGENT and we'll prioritize it.
Why it works
Silence at 11pm reads as “closed forever.” One automated line keeps the lead warm until morning.
“Can we talk?”
Fires whensomeone wants to schedule a call or consultation.
Love it. Grab whatever time works for you here: [booking link]. It's a quick [15-min] call. Bring [one thing to prepare], and I'll come with [what you'll bring]. See you there 👊
Why it works
The back-and-forth of “what time works?” is where most calls die. One link, one expectation, fewer no-shows.
A returning client
Fires whena past client messages you again.
[Name], good to see you back. Want to pick up where we left off with [last thing], or is this something new? Either way I've got you. Tell me what you need and I'll get it moving today.
Why it works
Being remembered beats any discount. Recognition is the cheapest loyalty program you have.
The one who went quiet
Fires whenthere's no reply for [24 to 48 hours] after your last message.
Hey [Name], no pressure at all. Just didn't want your [quote / spot / project] to get lost. Still want me to move forward, or should I check back another time? A one-word reply is totally fine 👍
Why it works
Most “lost” leads aren't gone, they got busy. One low-friction nudge with an easy out recovers more than you'd expect.
Websites & brands we've built · 500+ projects
- American Minerals
- Viewnetic
- Yaklen
- Space.io
- LATAM Outdoor Holding
- Pistacchio Pane e Caffè
Set up the first two today
Want the whole system (replies, follow-ups and the automation behind them) answering your website chat, texts and DMs? That's what we build.
- +1 (650) 643-5040
- contact@digimarketplace.net
- 150 SE 2nd Ave, Suite 206, Miami, FL 33131
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