PSA: Stop sending calendar links to prospects.
I know. I know. You think it’s convenient for everyone.
That’s true – it is.
But that doesn’t mean it works.
The one sentence version of my advice: unless a prospect has specifically asked you for one, don’t send your calendar link.
I remember the first time I got one. This was back in my corporate days, probably more years ago than I’d like to admit.
Our company had just signed up for this video email software. One of those tools that adds a little animated gif to your email so people actually click and see the message you recorded for them.
Seemed like the coolest thing ever. Never really caught on. But I digress.
The rep sends me a calendar link. “Here, set up a time on my calendar so we can talk about the progress we’ve made.”
My first thought: I found it really off putting. Why not just tell me some times you’re available, like every other person I work with? I’m paying you. Why do I have to do the work of scheduling the meeting?
Begrudgingly, I did it. But I want to emphasize that I did it begrudgingly.
That’s just one person’s experience. But I can tell you this is far from limited to me and my personal opinion.
I’ve tested this over and over.
Extensively.
Calendar links vs sending times out manually to prospects to schedule meetings.
One of them is more work. More back and forth. You’re sending times two or three times to a person and doing that dance.
And every time, that back and forth not only schedules more meetings, the show rate is much, much higher.
Because you’ve taken the time to work with them, they’re more committed. They looked at their calendar, then they had to reply to you. It’s more locked in their brain that they’re actually going to do this and show up.
I know it sounds old fashioned, but send times out to people. Don’t send calendar links. From a pragmatic standpoint, it’s just a better, more profitable way to run things.
Now, one thing I’ll add. If you go back and forth with someone several times and you’re just not finding a time that lines up, ask THEM for their calendar link.
That’s something people actually appreciate. You want the meeting, you’ll do the work and schedule it.
But again, don’t send yours. Ask for theirs.
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