The only acceptable end to a successful meeting is to schedule the next interaction on the spot. This capitalizes on the prospect's peak interest and energy, dramatically reducing the chances of being ghosted and eliminating the need for inefficient follow-up tag.

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Most sales are lost to inertia, not rejection. Implement a specific, escalating follow-up sequence (30 mins, 60 mins, next day) after sending an offer. This disciplined approach isn't pushy; it helps busy prospects make a decision while their interest is at its peak.

Don't hang up immediately after booking a meeting. Invites from new contacts often require manual acceptance to appear on a calendar. To prevent no-shows caused by a missed invite, stay on the line and ask the prospect to confirm they've received and accepted it.

Set a discreet alarm for five minutes before a scheduled meeting ends. This guarantees a dedicated window for a wrap-up, preventing you from being cut short by a prospect's hard stop. It allows you to professionally recap, solidify next steps, and schedule the follow-up, a clear differentiator from amateurs who let meetings end abruptly.

Salespeople mistakenly delay follow-ups to avoid being 'annoying,' but this kills momentum. Prospects don't track outreach attempts like salespeople do. A steady, frequent cadence isn't pushy; it demonstrates reliability and preparation, proving you won't quit on them.

Acknowledge that prospects are evaluating competitors. Instead of fearing this, proactively schedule a follow-up call specifically to help them compare your solution against others. This builds trust, positions you as an advisor, and keeps you in control of the sales cycle.

Frame the sales process as a series of small commitments. The objective of a prospecting call is to book the first meeting. The entire objective of that first meeting is then to earn the right to have a second meeting. This simplifies the goal and focuses on building momentum.

At the end of a call, ask to briefly review the 3-5 core problems discussed. This crystallizes the conversation and reminds the prospect of the seriousness of their issues right before you ask for a commitment. This makes them more likely to agree to a concrete next step because the value of solving their problem is top-of-mind.

Avoid "dead phone time" and maintain momentum during a dial blitz. While waiting to leave a voicemail or wrapping up a call, pull up the next contact. This allows you to quickly orient yourself for the next dial without losing precious time to over-preparation.

Salespeople often worry about being annoying during follow-up because they frame it as a transactional attempt to close a deal. To overcome this, reframe follow-up as an opportunity to build and enhance the relationship. By consistently providing value—sharing insights, making introductions, or offering resources—the interaction becomes helpful rather than pestering.

To combat no-shows, don't end a call after booking a meeting. Ask the prospect to find and accept the calendar invitation while you are still on the line. This simple step ensures the event is actually on their calendar and bypasses issues where invites get lost in email.

Eliminate Sales Ghosting by Scheduling the Next Meeting Before the Current One Ends | RiffOn