Great First Date, Didn’t Call

When I was younger (and lonelier), I wrote a song called “Unrequited Love.”

I wrote it a few weeks after a blind date. I thought the date went well. I called her — several times. Left messages suggesting a second date.

No reply. No more dates. Sad story.

I’m thinking of writing a similar song today. I might call it “Prospect Alone at the Altar.”

This goes back to the email I received last week. In my email to you last week, I wrote about the great cold-call email I received from Ramon who was pitching payroll management software and services. 

I replied to Ramon. Told him I’d like to get together on the phone.

I want to get to know his business. I think there may be a relationship in our future. I might want to purchase his software.

No reply. No second date. Sad story.

I don’t know what happened to Ramon. He may have a valid reason for not following up with me.

So I won’t rip Ramon directly here.

Instead, I’m going to rip marketers, in general.

So many marketers are really good at the first date…

…but they’re lousy at following-up.

Marketers spend big bucks and long hours attracting leads.

They send excellent cold-call emails.

They master the search engines and drive big traffic to their websites.

They create clever ads that draw in prospects.

They collect business cards at trade shows and networking events.

And then what?

Too often, they don’t have a plan to engage prospects who are interested. Too often, they leave prospects alone at the altar.

So before you spend a dime or a minute on attracting new leads, plan how you will…

…follow-up and engage with those who are interested…

…identify who are qualified prospects and who are not…

…close the deal…

…maximize the relationship so you both benefit.

Maybe Ramon had a plan. But I doubt his plan was to ignore a qualified prospect who told him, “Let’s talk.” 

First dates are easy.

After the first date?

It’s up to you to write the happy song.