What is a good lead follow-up call script?
A good lead follow-up call script names what the lead asked for in the first sentence, asks permission for two minutes, asks three to five questions one at a time, and ends by booking a specific time. It works best when the call comes within minutes of the inquiry and a text goes out before and after it. Below is a call script for any service business, the voicemail and texts that go with it, an email, answers to common objections, and first-message templates for six industries.
The short version
- Speed beats wording. In the Lead Response Management study, the odds of qualifying a lead dropped fourfold between a 5-minute and a 10-minute response.
- Text, call, text. A text in the first minute, a call within a few minutes, and a text right after a voicemail.
- The script has five parts: the reason for the call, permission, a few questions, the booking, and the confirmation.
- Leave a 20-second voicemail, then text. A text is easier to answer than a voicemail.
- Know what stays with a licensed person. Coverage advice, loan rates and medical questions do not belong in a follow-up script.
How soon should you call a new lead?
Within five minutes if you can. The Lead Response Management study analyzed more than 15,000 web-generated leads and over 100,000 call attempts across six companies. It found the odds of qualifying a lead dropped fourfold between a 5-minute and a 10-minute response, and 21-fold between 5 and 30 minutes. The odds of reaching the lead at all fell more than tenfold within the first hour.
That is why the order below is text first, then call. A text lands instantly, even when nobody is free to dial, and tells the lead a real person is on it. The call follows while the lead still remembers filling out the form.
The lead follow-up call script
This works for any business where a lead asks for a quote, an estimate or a consultation. Replace the parts in brackets. Say it in your own words after the first few calls; the structure matters more than the exact phrasing.
Hi [First name], this is [Your name] with [Business]. You asked about [service] on our website a few minutes ago, so I wanted to catch you while it is fresh.
Is now an OK time for two minutes, or is there a better time today?
What made you reach out today?
When are you hoping to get this done?
[One question about the job: size, location, current provider, or what they have tried.]
Is anyone else involved in the decision?
Is there anything that would stop you from moving ahead if the fit is right?
Based on that, the next step is a [consult, estimate, quote review] with [Name]. I have [Day] at [Time] or [Day] at [Time]. Which works better?
You are booked for [Day] at [Time]. I will text you a confirmation now and a reminder beforehand. If anything changes, just reply to that text.
Two rules make this work. Ask one question and wait for the answer; a list of questions sounds like a form. And always end with two specific times rather than "when works for you," because a choice between two is easier than an open question.
What should you say in a follow-up voicemail?
Keep it to about 20 seconds: who you are, what they asked about, and that you are texting them now. Then send the text right away.
Hi [First name], it is [Your name] with [Business]. You asked about [service] a few minutes ago. I am sending you a text right now so you have my number. Reply there whenever it is easy, or call me back at [number]. Thanks.
Hi [First name], [Your name] with [Business] here. Just left you a quick voicemail about your [service] request. When is a good time for a two-minute call, or would you rather sort it out by text? Reply STOP to opt out.
The text does the real work. It gives the lead a way to answer without a phone call, and it sits at the top of their messages until they do.
What should the first text say?
The text that goes out before the call has the same four parts every time: who you are, what they asked for, one easy question, and a way to opt out.
Hi [First name], this is [Your name] with [Business]. Thanks for your request about [service]. Quick question so we get it right: when are you hoping to get this done? Reply STOP to opt out.
What is a good lead follow-up email template?
Use email for leads who did not answer the text or call, and for anything longer, like a quote or a list of options.
Subject: Your [service] request
Hi [First name],
Thanks for reaching out about [service]. I tried you by phone and text, so reply to whichever is easiest.
One question so I can point you the right way: when are you hoping to get this done?
[Your name]
[Business] · [Phone]
Subject: Should I close your request?
Hi [First name],
I have not heard back, which usually means the timing is off, and that is fine. Should I check back in a couple of months, or close your request for now?
[Your name]
How do you handle objections on a follow-up call?
| They say | You say |
|---|---|
| "I'm just getting prices." | "That makes sense. So I can give you a real number and not a guess, can I ask two quick questions about the job?" |
| "Can you just email me something?" | "Sure. So it is actually useful, what is the one thing you most want to know?" Then email that, and follow up. |
| "I'm busy right now." | "No problem. Would later today or tomorrow morning be better?" Book the callback before you hang up. |
| "I already went with someone." | "Thanks for letting me know. If anything changes, you have my number." Then stop following up. |
| "How much is it?" | Give a range if you honestly can. If it depends on the job, say what it depends on and offer the quick consult that gets them a real number. |
How many times should you call a lead?
Plan a short, steady sequence rather than one call. Here is the order we recommend for a new inquiry. It is a starting point, not a figure from a study, so adjust it to how your customers buy. Stop the sequence the moment the lead replies.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Minute 1 | First text |
| Minutes 2 to 5 | Call; voicemail and text if no answer |
| Same day | Email, if you have an address |
| Day 1 | Second call at a different time of day |
| Day 3 | Text with something useful: an answer, an opening, a price range |
| Day 7 and day 14 | Short text check-ins |
| Day 30 | The "should I close your request?" email |
Time of day can help too. The Lead Response Management study found calls between 4 and 6 pm were the most effective for making contact, and Wednesday and Thursday were the best days. Use that for your second and third calls. The first one still goes out as soon as the lead comes in.
Lead follow-up templates by industry
The structure stays the same. What changes is the question that matters most in each business, and what has to stay with a licensed or qualified person. Each first text below goes out within a minute.
Insurance quote request
Hi [First name], this is [Agent] with [Agency]. Thanks for your [auto/home] quote request. To get you an accurate quote, when does your current policy renew? Reply STOP to opt out.
Key questions: coverage type, current carrier, renewal date, ZIP. Stays with a licensed agent: recommending coverage or limits, and anything about what a policy covers. We explain why in will AI replace insurance agents? More on follow-up for insurance agencies.
Mortgage inquiry
Hi [First name], this is [Loan officer] with [Company]. Thanks for reaching out. Are you buying a home or looking at a refinance? Reply STOP to opt out.
Key questions: purchase or refinance, timeline, whether they have found a home, best time for a call. Stays with the loan officer: rates, terms and anything that sounds like a loan offer. More on follow-up for loan officers.
Real estate buyer or seller
Hi [First name], this is [Agent] with [Brokerage]. Thanks for asking about [Address]. It is still available. Are you hoping to see it this week, or just starting to look? Reply STOP to opt out.
Key questions: buying or selling, timeline, pre-approval, whether they already have an agent. Stays with the agent: price opinions, offers and neighborhood judgments. The full set, with six lead types and three emails, is in our real estate lead follow-up scripts.
Solar consultation
Hi [First name], this is [Name] with [Company]. Thanks for your interest in solar. Quick question: do you own the home, and roughly what is your average monthly electric bill? Reply STOP to opt out.
Key questions: homeowner or renter, average bill, roof age and shade, timeline. Stays with your consultant: savings estimates and financing terms. More on follow-up for solar companies.
Home services estimate
Hi [First name], this is [Name] with [Company]. Thanks for your request. Is this urgent, like a leak or no heat, or something we can schedule this week? Reply STOP to opt out.
Key questions: urgency, the problem, address, when someone can be home. Stays with a person: emergencies, which should go to whoever is on call right away. More on follow-up for home services.
Med spa consultation
Hi [First name], this is [Name] at [Med spa]. Thanks for your interest in [treatment]. Would you like to book a consultation? I have [Day] at [Time] or [Day] at [Time]. Reply STOP to opt out.
Key questions: treatment of interest, first visit or returning, preferred days. Stays with your clinical team: anything about medical history, candidacy or results; keep those for the consultation. More on follow-up for med spas.
Want this running on every lead, at 9 pm and on Sundays too? Our AI lead follow-up sends the first text within 60 seconds, asks the questions one at a time, books the call and keeps following up, written with you for your industry. On a free 30-minute Where AI Fits call we map it to your lead sources.
Book a Where AI Fits callWhat are the rules for follow-up texts and calls?
Keep it simple. Contact people who gave you their number and asked to hear from you. Register your texting number with the carriers, known as A2P registration, so messages are delivered. Include a way to opt out and honor STOP right away. Keep to reasonable hours.
One rule changed recently for automated calls. In February 2024 the FCC ruled that calls made with AI-generated voices are "artificial" under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, so the consent rules for robocalls apply to them. If a tool places follow-up calls with an AI voice, check how it gets and records consent. Your compliance contact should review any script before it goes live.
Can AI do your lead follow-up for you?
Most of it. A well-built system sends the first text within a minute, asks the questions one at a time, reads each reply and answers it, books the appointment and keeps following up for weeks. It hands the lead to a person the moment they ask for one, or the moment the conversation needs a license or judgment. The call itself, when it matters, stays yours, and it starts with a lead who has already told you what they need.
For the phone side, see AI receptionist and our comparison of AI answering services. For the research on response time, read the speed to lead guide. To see what slow follow-up costs you now, try the lead leak calculator.
Questions about lead follow-up scripts
What should I say when I call a new lead?+
What is a good voicemail for a lead follow-up?+
How soon should I call a new lead?+
How many times should I follow up with a lead?+
What should a lead follow-up text say?+
Can AI make lead follow-up calls?+
- Lead Response Management Study (InsideSales.com with Dr. James Oldroyd). More than 15,000 web-generated leads and over 100,000 call attempts across six companies; qualification odds down fourfold from 5 to 10 minutes and 21-fold from 5 to 30 minutes; contact odds down more than tenfold within the first hour; best days and hours for contact. leadresponsemanagement.org
- Federal Communications Commission. "FCC Makes AI-Generated Voices in Robocalls Illegal," news release, February 8, 2024. fcc.gov (PDF)
Published September 13, 2026. Every figure was read on its source and checked again before publishing; see how we research and write. The scripts are ours; copy and adapt them freely. Found an error? Email hello@leadsixty.com.
A script is only as good as the minute it goes out.
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