Customer template inquiry, do this to improve the success rate?

In daily business, have you ever encountered the following problems: limited inquiry information from customers, low response rates, and less than smooth communication? Such customers often leave only an email or a platform account, making it difficult to follow up. So, how do we establish initial contact under these circumstances and pave the way for deeper cooperation?


 
For Customers Who Read but Don’t Reply

Sometimes, customer inquiries are very limited, with only an email address or platform account provided. In such cases, directly sending an email often fails to get a response. To improve communication efficiency and the likelihood of a reply, it is advisable to take a more proactive approach, such as scheduling a phone call. You could say in your email:
 
"Would you mind having a quick 2-minute call regarding [related topic] at [2:00 PM your local time]?"
 
This short and clear expression can increase the chances of the customer responding. If there is no reply, you can add a probing statement in your follow-up, like:
 
"I will stop contacting you if there is no current demand. However, feel free to reach out when the need arises."
 
This kind of language shows respect for the customer while leaving room for future contact. To increase the chances of real-time communication, you can include popular chat tool accounts (such as WhatsApp, WeChat, etc.) in the email, so the customer can choose the tool they are comfortable with.
 
For such low-interest customers, it is recommended to create a templated follow-up plan to save time and effort.
 
If You Have the Customer's Phone Number or Social Media Account

If you find the customer's phone number or social media account, directly calling them is a more efficient approach. The key is to make the most of the first three minutes after the call is answered. In the first few sentences, you need to quickly connect with the customer and convey valuable information.
 
How can you convey value quickly? The answer lies in the customer’s inquiry. Based on the customer’s focus on the product and combining it with your product’s advantages, deliver this information concisely. Keeping the conversation brief is crucial in phone communication. If you’re unsure how to start, you can try this three-step method:
 
1. Introduce yourself (Me)
   Briefly explain who you are and the company you represent.
 
2. Show achievements (Task)
   Share your experience in the field, along with completed projects or achievements.
 
3. Deliver value (Value)
   Clearly state the specific benefits you can offer to the customer.
 
Phone calls not only facilitate efficient communication but also quickly verify whether the customer has a genuine need, thus saving time.
 
During the call, you also need to adjust your wording based on the customer's personality and communication style. For example, if the customer uses “proforma” to refer to an invoice, you should adopt the same terminology to demonstrate professionalism. Additionally, capturing customer responses and identifying potential needs or pain points is an important skill to foster deeper conversations.
 
The primary goal of phone communication is not to immediately close a deal but to understand the customer’s needs and challenges so that you can provide more targeted solutions in future exchanges, ultimately winning the order.
 
How to Identify Potential Customers
 
Among the vast number of inquiries, identifying potential customers is critical. Background checks are key at this stage. There are customers who will greet you politely but ask for quotes for the full range of products right away. For such customers, you need to utilize tools like customs data, company websites, and social media platforms to conduct preliminary background checks. Then, based on the results, select potential target customers for deeper development.
 
Excellent salespeople not only need outstanding time management skills but also a sharp ability to analyze customer needs and potential. Often, increased negotiation efficiency is built on solid background research.