What Is Speed To Lead?
Think about a homeowner with a flooded basement. Water is rising. They are scared. They search for a plumber on Google. They call the first number. If that person does not answer, they do not leave a voicemail. They hang up and call the next number.
The winner is not the best plumber. The winner is the one who answered first.
This is called “Speed to Lead.”
In the first episode of The LaunchBox, we talk about “speed to lead,” after-hours coverage, and how LaunchSMS uses AI to greet people, collect basics, and keep the conversation moving—even when the team is busy.
Key Takeaways
- Speed books jobs. If replies take hours (or days), people move on. AI can answer first and handle multiple inquiries at once.
- After-hours matters. Leads come in at night, when your kid is sick, and when you’re working. LaunchSMS can capture details and line up next steps so every day starts with booked work.
- Simple, text-first flow. Click-to-text starts a thread, AI gathers basics, and your team continues in one place.
- Pays for itself fast. Even one or two extra jobs in a year can cover the cost.
The Problem: Slow Replies Cost Real Money
Tommy, our resident contractor and business development lead, explains the gap: customers expect instant answers, but owners and office staff are often on ladders, in trucks, or already on the phone. Waiting hours to reply turns real work into missed revenue.
“There are no bandwidth issues with AI. Five or ten leads can come in after hours and you still wake up with the calendar booked.”
How LaunchSMS Handles That First Touchpoint
Click-to-text starts the conversation. A site visitor taps, sends a message, and the thread begins right away—no waiting for a phone call.
AI as first responder. Nexus AI greets the person, asks for basics (name, address, issue), and warms the lead until they book or your team takes over.
Shared inbox for your staff. Once you’re free, you jump into the same thread and finish the booking—nothing scattered across tools.
After-Hours: Stay Available Without Staying Awake
Many homeowners reach out late at night. LaunchSMS can keep collecting requests while you sleep, so your morning starts with lined-up jobs instead of missed messages.
Why Owners Like It: Fast ROI, Fewer Moving Parts
Tommy’s rule of thumb is simple: even one or two extra jobs per year can more than cover the monthly cost. That’s because the ticket size in home services is often high enough that a single saved lead makes the math work.
Beyond The First Reply: Reviews And Return Work
The episode also touches on features that help after the job:
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Review follow-up to build trust in search results.
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Broadcasts to past customers for seasonal reminders and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “speed to lead,” and why does it matter?
It’s the time from a customer’s message to your first reply. Faster replies win more work; slow replies send people to competitors.
Can AI really book jobs?
AI can greet the customer, collect details, and keep the thread moving. Your team can then confirm and schedule from the same conversation. Many owners wake up to a calendar that’s already lined up.
Do I need to hire more staff to manage texts and chats?
No. AI handles the first step and scales when many messages arrive at once; your team steps in when they’re free.
How fast does it pay for itself?
In many trades, one or two extra jobs per year can more than cover the cost.
Listen And Decide
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Transcript: Get this Podcast-Episode 01.
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