FOLLOW-UP PLAYBOOK

Follow-Up Cadence Design

A day-by-day, multi-channel sequence across SMS, email, voicemail drop, and task reminders — engineered to book the lead, surface a reply, or cleanly opt them out.

THE SEQUENCE

Day-by-day cadence

Nine touches over two weeks. Channels rotate so it feels human, not automated. Outcome rails stop the sequence the moment the lead acts.

Day 0Within 5 minSMS

Instant acknowledgment

Confirm we received the request, restate the job, and offer two booking windows. Speed beats polish at this stage.

Day 0+ 15 minEmail

Recap + next step

Email summary with scope, expected timeline, and a one-click booking link. Includes a short proof point relevant to their issue.

Day 1MorningSMS

Soft bump

Friendly check-in referencing the original request. Two new time slots offered. Plain language, no pressure.

Day 2Late morningVoicemail

Human-sounding voicemail drop

Short ringless drop from the assigned rep. Mentions the homeowner by name and the specific job. Triggers a callback from a real person.

Day 3AfternoonEmail

Objection handler

Address the top three reasons people hesitate (price, timing, trust). Includes a recent review and an FAQ link.

Day 5MorningSMS

Value reframe

Shift the message from selling to helping. Offer a quick estimate revision or a no-pressure walkthrough call.

Day 7MiddayTask

Rep review trigger

If still no reply, a task is created for the assigned rep with the full transcript, score, and recommended next move.

Day 10MorningEmail

Last call

A clear, respectful final email. Offers to close the file or keep the door open. Includes an opt-out link.

Day 14Task

Long-term nurture

Lead is moved into the monthly nurture list. Re-engaged automatically if they revisit the site or click any future email.

Booked

Sequence pauses, calendar invite is sent, CRM stage updates, and the rep gets a heads-up with full context.

Replied

Any inbound message immediately stops automation and routes to a human, with the full thread attached.

Opted out

STOP, unsubscribe, or any negative intent triggers a clean exit, suppression flag, and CRM note. No further outreach.

TIMING

Why the cadence is shaped this way

Four principles drive every touch. Break any of them and reply rates collapse.

Front-load the first 24 hours

Most replies happen in the first day. Two SMS, one email, and one voicemail inside 24 hours captures the bulk of recoverable intent without feeling spammy.

Rotate channels, not volume

Bouncing between SMS, email, and voicemail feels human. Three SMS in a row feels like a bot. The cadence is designed so no channel repeats back-to-back.

Match the message to the day

Early touches are about access and convenience. Mid-cadence touches handle objections. Late touches give the prospect a graceful exit — which actually increases replies.

Hand off the moment it matters

The instant a lead replies, books, or signals friction, automation steps aside and a human takes over with the full context already in the CRM.

MESSAGING LOGIC

What goes in each message

The cadence is only as good as the copy inside it. These rules govern every touch we ship.

01

Speed before perfection

The first touch goes out in under five minutes, every time. A short, plain-language SMS outperforms a polished email that arrives an hour later. Speed is the single biggest lever in follow-up.

02

Personalize from intake data

Every message references the specific service requested, the location, and any answer the lead gave during qualification. Generic 'just following up' messages are removed from the system entirely.

03

Channel logic, not channel spam

SMS handles urgency and scheduling. Email handles proof, FAQs, and longer context. Voicemail drops handle trust and tone. Tasks handle judgment calls. Each channel does what it does best.

04

Always offer a next step

Every message includes a single, obvious action — usually a booking link or a reply prompt. Never two CTAs in the same touch. Decision fatigue kills response rates.

05

Exit ramps protect the brand

Clear opt-out language in every channel, plus an honest 'should we close this out?' message late in the cadence. Respecting the no is what makes the yes possible later.

HUMAN HANDOFF

Where automation steps aside

The system is built so a real person takes over the moment it matters — with the full thread, qualification notes, and history already attached.

Lead replies with any question

Automation pauses, assigned rep is paged with the full thread and qualification notes.

Lead books a consultation

Sequence stops, calendar invite fires, rep is briefed before the call.

Negative sentiment detected

Lead is flagged, suppression applied, and a senior rep reviews before any further contact.

High-value job signals (budget, urgency)

Lead is escalated immediately — no waiting for the next scheduled touch.

Stalled at Day 7 with no engagement

Rep gets a task with recommended next move based on the lead's qualification score.

CUSTOM CADENCE

Want a follow-up cadence built around your business?

On a short consultation we will map your current follow-up, identify where leads are going cold, and design a multi-channel cadence tuned to your services, sales cycle, and team — with a live demo so you can see it in action.