Why a fast reply often beats the lowest price

A customer who sends a quote request is waiting for an answer. The first reply gives an impression: is this provider interested, reliable and professional?

Why speed decides

• The customer is engaged right now. The longer they wait, the more likely they are to contact someone else.
• Speed says something about professionalism. If the reply comes quickly, the customer assumes the same way of working throughout the job.
• Quotes are compared. The customer reads the first quotes first.

A quick reply does not replace a good quote, though. It is the door in.

Practical ways

1. Turn on notifications. Make sure your email works and check it several times a day.
2. Set aside two moments a day for requests. For example morning and evening.
3. Use a template. Write a quote template you can adapt quickly: introduction, what the price includes, schedule.
4. Reply briefly if you cannot do it fully. "Thanks for the request, I will give you a quote tomorrow" is better than silence.
5. Choose your requests. Do not answer a request where you cannot do a good job.

What you do not do

• Do not make a price estimate in a hurry that does not cover your costs.
• Do not reply with a copy-paste message that does not answer the customer's request.
• Do not promise a schedule you cannot keep.

And if your price is higher?

Speed and clarity can win against a cheaper but slower quote. Still, say what the price is made of so the customer understands the difference.

Afterwards

When the customer chooses you, keep the same pace in the messages. A good start and a good finish make up the review.