--- title: 5 Things to Avoid When Responding to Leads description: Responding to leads properly is an art form. What not to say and do is just as important as what TO say and do when making contact with a potential customer. image: https://blog.mdsbrand.com/hubfs/5%20Things%20to%20Avoid%20When%20Responding%20to%20Leads%20-%20Image-01.jpg --- - - - - (855) 569-3991 [![MDS Brand](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MDSbrand-Logo-blackGradientColor_small.png?width=202&height=90&name=MDSbrand-Logo-blackGradientColor_small.png "MDS Brand")](http://mdsbrand.com) - [Home](https://mdsbrand.com/) - [Solutions](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/) - [Website Design](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/website-design/) - [CallersIQ](https://callersiq.com/) - [Call Campaigns](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/call-campaigns/) - [Virtual BDC](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/virtual-bdc-call-center) - [Live Chat](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/live-chat) - [SEO & SEM](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/seo-ppc) - [Reputation Management](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/reputation-management/) - [Testimonials](https://mdsbrand.com/why-us/#testimonials) - [Contact Us](https://mdsbrand.com/contact/) - [Blog](https://blog.mdsbrand.com)  - - - - (855) 569-3991 [![Marine Dealer Solutions | Marketing Agency | Virtual Call Center | Social Media | SEO | SEM | Boat Show Promotions](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/hubfs/Marinedealersolutions_March_2016/images/mobile_logo.jpg)](http://www.marinedealersolutions.com) - [Home](https://mdsbrand.com/) - [Solutions](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/) - [Website Design](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/website-design/) - [CallersIQ](https://callersiq.com/) - [Call Campaigns](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/call-campaigns/) - [Virtual BDC](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/virtual-bdc-call-center) - [Live Chat](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/live-chat) - [SEO & SEM](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/seo-ppc) - [Reputation Management](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/reputation-management/) - [Testimonials](https://mdsbrand.com/why-us/#testimonials) - [Contact Us](https://mdsbrand.com/contact/) - [Blog](https://blog.mdsbrand.com) search # MDS Brand Blog # 5 Things to Avoid When Responding to Leads Posted by [MDS Brand](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/author/mds-brand) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![5 Things to Avoid When Responding to Leads - Image-01.jpg](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/hs-fs/hubfs/5%20Things%20to%20Avoid%20When%20Responding%20to%20Leads%20-%20Image-01.jpg?width=1024&name=5%20Things%20to%20Avoid%20When%20Responding%20to%20Leads%20-%20Image-01.jpg)********Responding to leads is a day to day responsibility in a dealership’s life. The goal is to convert those leads into sales. Whether the lead is coming from a walk-in, phone call, or an internet lead, the way you respond to that lead is essential. [**Click here to download the Ultimate Lead Response & Follow Up Toolkit **](http://offers.marinedealersolutions.com/ultimate-lead-response-follow-up-toolkit) # **Here are 5 things to avoid when responding to leads:** 1. **Avoid Being Tardy** First impressions are so important. That is why, when responding to a lead, making sure to avoid being tardy is essential. When a customer walks through your doors, calls into the dealership, or sends an inquiry online, nothing is worse than having a delayed response. It is very important to be prompt with a response and show the customer that you are ready to cater to their needs. 1. **Avoid Being Impersonal** Being personal is essential to making a real connection. It is extremely discouraging to potential customers to be treated as if they are just a routine response or check in. Make the response unique and create a personality for each lead. It goes a long way. 1. **Avoid Being Distracted** When responding to a lead, being ready to dedicate your full attention to the lead is absolutely necessary. Responding to a lead when you are distracted shows the customer that you are not there fully for them. Subsequently, it damages your chances of [converting the lead](https://blog.marinedealersolutions.com/5-call-campaign-ideas-to-increase-sales) because your focus will be somewhere else instead of on the lead. 1. **Avoid Being Vague/Uncertain** When a new lead comes in, it is very important to be as specific as possible with the customer. Being vague or uncertain in your conversation sets a negative tone and shows a lack of confidence. Even if you are unsure on how to answer a question or what route would best fit the customer's needs, being specific and clear in communications is beneficial because it allows the customer to leave the encounter self-assured that they are in the right place. 1. **Avoid Being Hasty/Reckless/In A Hurry** One of the most common mistakes is being overly eager and reckless when it comes to responding to leads. Often times a lead comes in as just another site visitor looking at the new models. Nothing turns a potential customer off more than sensing a representative’s eagerness to make a sale. Take a thoughtful and confident approach, and the customer will feel comfortable asking their questions, continuing the conversation, and moving forward. -- Avoiding these 5 things when responding to a lead will increase your conversion rates instantly! Making sure to be timely, personal, focused, specific, and thoughtful will increase your overall sales!   [![Download the ultimate lead response and follow-up process toolkit](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2059505/32cf1726-cd3e-4146-8fa4-1f8bd1b63e7f.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2059505/32cf1726-cd3e-4146-8fa4-1f8bd1b63e7f)   Topics: [Lead Response & Management](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/lead-response-management), [Marketing Tips & Tricks](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/marketing-tips-tricks) ### Categories - [Marketing Tips & Tricks (143)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/marketing-tips-tricks) - [Search Engine Optimization (SEO) (45)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/search-engine-optimization-seo) - [Boat Dealerships (30)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/boat-dealerships) - [Customer Retention (30)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/customer-retention) - [Customer Satisfaction (CSI) (22)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/customer-satisfaction-csi) - [Lead Generation (19)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/lead-generation) - [Lead Response & Management (17)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/lead-response-management) - [Social Media Management (17)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/social-media-management) - [Live Chat (16)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/live-chat) - [Customer Care (15)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/customer-care) - [Call Campaigns (13)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/call-campaigns) - [Landing Pages & Microsites (12)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/landing-pages-microsites) - [Websites Optimization (11)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/websites-optimization) - [CRM (9)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/crm) - [Pay Per Click Advertising (PPC) (9)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/pay-per-click-advertising-ppc) - [Event Marketing (8)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/event-marketing) - [Blogging & Content Creation (6)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/blogging-content-creation) - [Workplace Productivity (5)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/workplace-productivity) - [Marketing Trends (4)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/marketing-trends) - [website design (4)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/website-design) - [Email Marketing (3)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/email-marketing) - [Re-Marketing Ads (3)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/re-marketing-ads) - [Craigslist Marketing (1)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/craigslist-marketing) - [Customer Journey (1)](https://blog.mdsbrand.com/topic/customer-journey) see all ### Recent Topics [© MDS Brand](https://mdsbrand.com) [| Boat Dealer Websites](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/website-design) | [RV Dealer Websites](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/website-design) | [CRM](https://callersiq.com) |  [Virtual Call Center](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/virtual-bdc-call-center) | [SEO & PPC](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/seo-ppc) |[Live Chat](https://mdsbrand.com/solutions/live-chat/)