You know those times when you keep following up with a lead, but they don’t see any closer to making a decision? Eventually, you either have to force the lead to make a decision or let them go. But, what if you could shorten the time it took for the lead to make a decision and convert to a customer? What if you could get them to trust you quicker, give them an offer that helps them make a decision quicker and respond faster to their requests.
You can if you have partners. Here’s 3 reasons why your partners can reduce the time it takes for your lead to convert into a customer.
- Partners organically introduce you
Which are you more likely to trust? A random ad that gets inserted into your Twitter feed or a brief paragraph on a new product in a company newsletter that you’ve subscribed to? If you answered the latter, you’re like the rest of us.
People are more likely to use a product that’s recommended by someone they trust. Having your partners introduce you organically, like mentioning you in their newsletter, automatically gets their customer’s attention in a way that a random Twitter ad never could. They’re already primed to like you.
- Partners offer your product as part of a package
Which product are you likely to buy? Software that you have to install and set up yourself or a software package that includes an installation and set up service? You’ll probably want the latter because it saves you time and effort.
Partners who offer your product as part of a package are more likely to get you, buyers, you wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. They expand your reach and help you find more opportunities. Offering your product as part of a package also makes the decision process a little easier.
- Partners help you respond faster
Who are you going to like more? A company that responds to your meeting request within an hour or a company that takes a whole day to respond? You’re going to like the one that responds as quickly as possible and your partners can help you be that company.
Your partners can take some of the load off of your sales team and help you respond to meeting requests as quickly as possible. Perhaps your sales team’s calendar is booked through the next month, but your prospect wants a meeting this month. Your partner can attend that meeting on your behalf, satisfying the prospect with their quick response time. This makes them more likely to convert as they’ve seen that you and your partners respond to their requests quickly.
It takes a while for a lead to turn into a customer. Leads often do their own research, are more likely to go with companies they already trust, and want to be responded to as quickly as possible. For a single company, this often translates into a long lead conversion time.
This time can be shortened by having your partners help you convert your lead to a customer. Your partners can help you respond to lead requests faster, offer your product as part of a package to make it look more attractive, and quickly establish trust with your lead. Your partners’ actions prime the lead to like you and shortens the time it takes them to get to know you.