Divyanshi Sharma
January 3, 2025
Getting prospects to respond to a cold email is tough, but turning those responses into conversions can be even trickier.
That’s where Time-To-Lead comes in– It is the most important aspect of inbox management - and is this single thing that will have the biggest impact on your conversions!
Here’s a simple, actionable guide to craft a winning strategy that boosts your conversion rates while keeping communication clear and engaging.
What is Time-to-Lead?
Time-to-lead refers to the time it takes you (or your inbox manager) to respond to a prospect. The faster you reply, the higher your chances of converting that lead into a meaningful conversation.
Why is Time-to-Lead Important?
Responding to leads within 5 minutes can increase your chances of securing a meeting by as much as 100 times! Quick replies show prospects you’re attentive and professional, which can make all the difference.
How to Manage Time-to-Lead Effectively
1. Use a Master Inbox
Forward all emails to a single, centralized inbox. If you’ve already set this up, managing replies becomes much faster and easier.
Having one inbox helps you keep everything organized.
It allows you or your team to reply promptly without missing any messages.
Tools like Front or your CRM can also be helpful, but we recommend sticking to one master inbox for simplicity.
2. Set Up Instant Reply Notifications
To stay on top of replies, create automations that notify you or your team as soon as a lead responds.
Use platforms like Instantly or SmartLead to push notifications directly to tools like Slack.
Instant notifications ensure you’re alerted even when you’re away from your desk, so you can act quickly.
We recommend setting up automations that notify you/your team of a reply from your campaigns
👇 Click here to see how to set up the automation
📲 Reply Received Pushed To Slack Notification
3. Establish a 5-Minute KPI
Make it a goal to respond to all leads within 5 minutes. Set this as a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for yourself or your team.
Tips to Hit the 5-Minute KPI:
Automate Notifications:
Set up reply alerts in Slack or your preferred tool to ensure no message gets missed.
Incentivize Your Team:
Pay inbox managers per booking to motivate them.
Show them how achieving the <5-minute response KPI can significantly boost their earnings.
Add them to the Slack channel where reply notifications are received, so they’re always informed and ready to act.
The Bottom Line
By prioritizing time-to-lead and implementing these strategies, you’ll create a smoother process for managing your inbox and significantly improve your conversion rates. Quick replies mean more bookings, happier prospects, and better results!
At AcquisitionX, we help B2B marketing leaders generate more qualified leads through cold email and LinkedIn strategies. Want to learn how we can elevate your LinkedIn content game?