Got Email Frustration? How to Get Brides to Answer Back

 Question: Why aren’t brides responding to my emails? Should I call them?

I have a question — I sent an email to two brides and used your idea of saying, “Do you have time to chat on the phone on Tuesday at 1:00?” Giving about 48 hours, so they’d have time to respond.  Neither of the girls who contacted me replied to that email.  Do I still call at Tuesday at 1:00??

~ Courtney

Answer – Part One

I wouldn’t call at the offered time without getting a response from the bride.  It’s not really a date unless they agree to it.  🙂

Without seeing your email it’s hard for me to say why you didn’t get a response from either of them.  It could be something in your email or it could be that you aren’t attracting the right type of bride for you.

You can still call them at the time you suggested, but it will be a cold call since they won’t be expecting you.

Question Part Two

Hey Stephanie –

Thanks for answering my question!  My email had a subject that said, “Hey Tawana, Looking forward to September 02, 2012? which I included below”

Any idea why they didn’t respond?

Hey Tawana –

You can stop looking for a wedding photographer … you’ve found me!!  😉 I’m available on 9/2/12. I received your information from Atlanta Bride and Groom Planner. Are you available on Wednesday at 1:00 to chat on the phone about your wedding? Check out my website and blog and I’ll answer any questions you may have. I look forward to hearing from you!

 ~ Courtney

PS – See what my past brides have said about working with me on my site!

Answer Part Two

Ah, I think I see the trouble.

There are really two types of leads: the ones that contact you and the ones you’re chasing down.  The, “Are you available at 1pm tomorrow for a quick chat?” approach works GREAT with the ones that contact you, or once you have a conversation going, but it’s a little intimidating if they haven’t specifically requested information from you.  It’s kind of like asking someone to marry you on the first date.

I don’t know how the Atlanta Bride and Groom Planner collects those leads, but I’m guessing that those brides haven’t specifically requested your information.  So your initial email is a getting to know you type, and telling them that they can stop looking for their wedding photographer…when you don’t know anything about what they want…comes off as inauthentic.

Be prepared for a much lower response rate on “cold” leads like this.  It will range from 10-50% or even less depending on the lead source.

You’ll have much more success if you get them to take a smaller, less risky action on the first contact.  If you have a free report to offer them, invite them to check it out so that you can get permission to follow up with them.  (It’s got to be very cool and helpful for this to work, something they really want.)

If you don’t have that a freebie yet, invite them to visit a blog post featuring photos of their location.  I’d write it like this, “I just shot a gorgeous wedding at the INSERT VENUE HERE in pewter and periwinkle that looked amazing in the ballroom.  You can check it out here…”

One action leads to another action, and if they fall in love with your photos of their location they will be very likely to fall in love with you.

Keep tweaking your response and testing out new things until you figure out what works.  I’m sharing what has worked for us, but each business is different so it may take some adjustments.

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