Copy and use

20 Messages to Copy, From First Contact to Decision

Twenty messages to adapt: past customers, referral and review requests, local replies, trade partners, commercial buyers, quotes and follow-up.

All chapters
  1. 1. Attention or conversion
  2. 2. Customers to attract
  3. 3. Offer and proof
  4. 4. Choose your channels
  5. 5. First customers
  6. 6. Past customers
  7. 7. Referrals
  8. 8. Google reviews
  9. 9. Local marketing
  10. 10. Referral partners
  11. 11. Commercial clients
  12. 12. Bids and tenders
  13. 13. Google Business Profile
  14. 14. Service and location pages
  15. 15. Hiring an SEO company
  16. 16. Content from your jobs
  17. 17. Customer acquisition cost
  18. 18. Google Ads
  19. 19. Local Services Ads
  20. 20. Facebook ads
  21. 21. Lead marketplaces
  22. 22. Quiet season
  23. 23. A website that gets inquiries
  24. 24. From inquiry to contract
  25. 25. Measure your marketing
  26. 26. Outsource marketing
  27. 27. By business type
  28. 28. Marketing plan
  29. Marketing plan template
  30. Campaign test brief
  31. Message templates
  32. Weekly marketing review
On this page
  1. Messages for customers and local demand
  2. Messages for trade and commercial relationships
  3. Messages from inquiry to decision

Messages for customers and local demand

These are starting drafts. Replace bracketed details, confirm the context and use only channels and contact permissions appropriate to the recipient. Add required business identification and opt-out information for promotional messages. Do not send every template as a sequence.

1 A relevant past customer check in

Hi [name], we completed [work] for you in [month]. You mentioned [future need] at the time. Is it still something you are considering? If so, I can explain the options and our current availability. If not, no problem.

2 A recurring service reminder

Hi [name], your last [service] was in [month]. If you would like to arrange the next one, reply here and we can check a suitable date. Let us know if the scope or access has changed.

3 A referral request

If someone you know is planning [project] in [area], you are welcome to pass on this page: [link]. It shows our work and how to contact us. No need to share their details; they can reach out directly.

4 An honest review request

Thank you for choosing us for [work]. If you would like to leave an honest review of your experience, here is the link: [link]. There is no obligation, and we appreciate your feedback.

5 A reply to a public request where business replies are allowed

We handle [service] in [area]. For what you described, we would first need to check [detail]. I am [name], the owner of [business]. If useful, send [basic information] and we can explain the next step.

6 Permission to share a project

We would like to show the work as an example of [service]. Would you be comfortable with us using [specific photographs and description] on [channels]? We would remove [identifying details]. It is completely fine to decline.

Use the reply as information. A “not now” can reveal timing. A question can reveal missing clarity. A decline should end the request, not trigger a more insistent version of the same message.

Messages for trade and commercial relationships

These messages are designed to open a relevant conversation. They do not assume that the recipient needs your service or owes you an introduction. Apply the outreach rules for the location and channel, including required identification, consent and opt-out handling.

7 A complementary trade introduction

Hi [name], we handle [scope] in [area]. I noticed you focus on [related service]. Do your customers sometimes need [adjacent work] that you do not cover? If useful, I can send a short overview of our scope, examples and how we handle referrals.

8 A specific overflow offer

Hi [name], we have capacity for [defined work] during [accurate period]. If you have any suitable overflow, I am happy to discuss scope and requirements. We cover [area] and can share [relevant evidence].

9 A commercial buyer introduction

Hi [name], I saw [verified business event]. We provide [relevant service] for [type of buyer] in [area]. Who is the appropriate person to ask about supplier requirements for that work?

10 A short capability follow through

Thanks for the conversation. Here is the overview you requested: [link]. It covers our scope, area, relevant projects and contact details. For a first opportunity, we would confirm [requirements] before quoting.

11 A restrained follow up

Hi [name], following up on my note about [specific service]. If you already have it covered, no problem. If a backup would be useful, I can send the brief overview. Otherwise I will leave it here.

12 Closing the loop with a referrer

Thank you for introducing [customer, where appropriate]. We have made contact and agreed the next step. I appreciate you thinking of us. I will let you know if we cannot help so the customer is not left waiting.

Keep promises operational. Only offer a response time, service area or available date the business can honor. An introduction can create trust before the first job, but an inaccurate promise can spend that trust quickly. The best follow-through is doing the small thing you said you would do.

Messages from inquiry to decision

Use the customer's actual details and avoid asking for information already provided. These messages should support a conversation, not disguise an automated sequence as personal attention.

13 Inquiry acknowledgment

Thanks for your request about [service]. We have received it and [person or team] will review it by [realistic time]. If you need to add anything, reply here. For [relevant urgent alternative], use [route].

14 Clarifying the next step

Hi [name], this looks within our usual scope. Could you confirm [one or two details]? That will help us decide whether we can prepare an initial estimate or need a visit first.

15 A polite decline

Thanks for considering us. We do not currently cover [service or area], so I would not want to waste your time arranging a quote. You may need a provider specializing in [appropriate category].

16 A missed call reply

Hi [name if known], this is [business] returning your call. We are available at [realistic time]. If easier, reply with the service and project area, and we can arrange the next step.

17 Sending the quote

Here is the quote for [project], based on [agreed scope]. The main assumptions and exclusions are included. As discussed, I will check in on [date]. Let me know if anything needs explaining before then.

18 Clarifying a decision

You mentioned [specific concern] when we spoke. Is there anything in the quote you would like clarified before deciding? I am happy to explain the options within the agreed scope.

19 A postponed project

Understood. Would you like me to contact you in [period], or would you prefer to reach out when you are ready? We can review pricing and availability at that point.

20 Closing an unanswered quote

I have not heard back about [project]. Would you like us to keep it open, revisit it later or close it for now? If I do not hear from you, I will close the follow-up on our side. You are welcome to contact us again.

Stop these messages when the customer responds, declines, books or asks you not to contact them.

Put it in place

Want this running without the evenings?

Vision sets up the journey from inquiry to signed quote for businesses that sell on quotes: inquiry page, instant replies, follow-ups that stop when the client answers. Start with the free 3-minute diagnostic.

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