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Posted almost 9 years ago

Why You Should Always Answer the Phone

The simplest thing you can do to generate more leads in your business is ANSWER THE PHONE!

If an unknown number calls you, DO NOT let it go to voicemail. Answer the phone promptly and politely. If it is a homeowner calling you to chew you out about a yellow letter they received in the mail, who cares! All you have to do is hang up and take them off your marketing list. If you are afraid of answering the phone in this business, you are in the wrong business. Two years ago, when I was still in college, I received a phone call from a motivated seller. He had refinanced his mortgage in order to lower the mortgage so me and another investor could obtain the house subject 2 the existing mortgage.

Two years ago, I was afraid because I had not done a deal yet. I was still at college in another state, how could I possibly get the deal done? He called me three times. I did not pick up the phone. When I mustered up the courage to finally call the guy back about a week later, he had already sold it to another investor subject 2. My soon to be first deal in real estate slipped away from me for one reason, I did not answer my phone. I understand that you might be busy with other things, but someone has to answer the phone. They are calling you for a reason. They want to talk to a real person, so give them a real person! The chances of you getting that property will increase by you answering the phone. They are the customer. Put yourselves in their shoes. If you were calling someone because you thought they had a solution to your problem, you would want them to answer the phone and help you solve your problem right??? It's the golden rule, treat others the way you would want to be treated. Nothing irritates me more when contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc. DO NOT pick up when I call or respond when I shoot them a text message. My property manager always answers the phone and always texts me back within 5 minutes. I will recommend him to every person I can!!! It's simple, if you want more business, answer the damn phone


Comments (3)

  1. This sounds great in theory, but it assumes that you're not a busy person & have time to answer all of your & texts immediately.  Once your business grows to a certain level answering every call immediately isn't possible or even practical.  Bottom line is some clients or leads are more important than others. 

    What's more practical is to develop a back office system that captures/screens the leads.  We have specific numbers for seller leads.  When they call that number we know they are responding to one of our marketing ads or they have come to us by word of mouth.  Whether we answer the phone or not our back office captures their number & alerts us that it's a seller lead versus a buyer lead.  We've also VA & office assistants for this.


  2. I agree with you and like your business style.  So many people in business Do Not Answer the phone.  As a matter of fact, when I call them and they Do Not Answer the phone after it has rung numerous times, I simply hang up and call someone else.  

    If I left a message and they have not called be back by the end of business the next day, I simply contact someone else that offers the product or service I need.  


  3. This was very inspiring, and motivating thanks @Devan Mcclish.  I too used to be scared to answer the phone for the calls coming in from my Direct Mail campaign.  I'd find excuses not to answer the call, then when I'd muster up the courage to call the number back I would just get a voicemail that I'd leave a message to but would get no call back.  That there could have been a missed opportunity. 

    I still get nervous from time to time because there's always that person that could be upset and let me know not to send them another letter, but who cares.  Like you said cross them off your list and move on.  Thanks again for this wonderful BLOG