Leads can be confusing- how to get them, how to respond to them, how to convert them and so much more! These are questions that are almost always on top of your mind as a business owner. Lead generation is extremely important for pros like yourself to improve your business. That’s why at HomeStars we are dedicated to helping you convert them. Business leads have their own lifecycle – from the moment you get one, converting it into an opportunity to successfully finish the job. Here are some tips on how you can convert your incoming leads into business opportunities!
Make Sure You Are Getting The Right Leads
When it comes to incoming leads, a lot of pros don’t act on them because they think it’s not right for their business. If you get regular leads but they believe they don’t fit your business profile, here’s how you can fix it:
- The leading cause of getting wrong leads is not updating your ‘Display Category’ on your profile. This category at the top of the profile page tells homeowners at a glance about what you do – so make sure you display the best-suited one.
- Adding more details to your profile description is yet another way to attract the right leads. You can add details about your business and the jobs you do in your profile description – so that when homeowners browse through the profile they know if you are the right person for the job. If you offer seasonal jobs, make sure to remove them once the season is over.
- You can also create a custom gallery in your HomeStars profile to showcase your past work. 44% of homeowners said they like to look at pictures of a pro’s work along with reading reviews before they hire, so pictures can also convey your category of work.
Respond To Homeowners
In our homeowner survey, 46% of homeowners said that they were unable to hire a pro as they never responded to their request. If you actively use HomeStars for Pros, you can always accept a lead and start chatting with the project-ready homeowner while the lead is hot. However, we understand that you may be busy with another job or travelling for business and responding immediately may not always be an option. That’s why we have introduced automated replies on the HomeStars Pro app so every time you accept a lead, the homeowner will get an automated message. This message can be customized to let them know about your availability and other details that may be needed. This has multiple benefits:
- You can eliminate long waiting times which can frustrate your customer.
- You form better homeowner connections.
- You can let homeowners know that you are serious about taking up the job.
- You can significantly increase your chances of getting hired for the job.
If you are unsure about how to craft an auto-reply message, your dedicated customer success manager can help you with this task.
Practise Good Communication With Homeowners
Another step that can go a long way in converting leads into opportunities is following up with the homeowner. If you have set up a sales funnel, it can help you remember to check off every step of the process. Your automated reply may keep them interested for a while, but a personal touch always conveys that you put in that extra effort. Here are some best practices to follow when talking to potential clients:
- Always follow up with clients even if they have received your automated message. Project-ready homeowners are not pros and hence every project is a big step for them or maybe even an urgent one – communicating with them can help alleviate their troubles and ensure that you intend to take up the job.
- It’s extremely important that you read the homeowner’s message carefully before responding. If they have explained the project’s scope or outlined the pain points, ensure you address them. If they have asked for specific details, include them in your response. If they haven’t shared any specific information or if you need to know more for a more accurate timeline, share your questions with them.
- Ensure that you are communicating with the homeowner on their preferred channels. While some may prefer a call, others may choose to text or email. After finding out their preferred mode of communication, it’s best to use the same for closing the job. Ensure that you do not show up at their door without confirming an appointment time with them – many homeowners may find this uncomfortable and it may further put them off about hiring you. This helps create a better homeowner experience and connection.
Use the tips to get the right leads and convert the ones that come your way. You can also reach out to your dedicated account manager to know about more tips on drafting messages and other tips on converting leads into jobs!
