How to follow up with local business leads using a simple CRM

• New: unlocked or added, not yet contacted.
• Contacted: you have reached out.
• Interested: they showed interest.
• Follow-up: you agreed to come back.
• Converted: they became a customer.
• Not Interested: closed without a sale.

Change the status immediately after each interaction. The leads list filters by status, so keeping statuses current is what makes the list useful.

End every note with what happens next and when, for example a date and the question you promised to answer. When you open the lead again, the note tells you how to start the conversation.

Tags are your own labels. A few consistent ones, such as the offer you pitched or a priority, are more useful than many. Avoid using tags to repeat information the status already holds.

1. 1
   Filter by Follow-up

   Contact everyone who is due.

2. 2
   Check Contacted leads

   Decide whether to follow up again or close them.

3. 3
   Close out

   Mark leads Converted or Not Interested so the list shows live opportunities only.

4. 4
   Add the next batch

   Only unlock new businesses once you have worked the current ones.

It does not send reminders, emails or messages, and it does not schedule follow-ups automatically. The discipline of the weekly review is yours. For the full feature list see lead management CRM.

• Leaving a lead on Contacted indefinitely instead of deciding what happens next.
• Writing notes that describe the call but not the next step.
• Chasing a prospect who has clearly said no, rather than marking Not Interested.
• Letting follow-ups depend on memory instead of a regular review.

There is no universal rule for how often to follow up. A sensible default is to follow up a few days after the first contact, then again after a week or two, and then to close the lead if there is still no response. Write the rhythm down and apply it consistently, and always stop when someone asks you to. A consistent, polite routine tends to serve you better than occasional bursts.