Most businesses aren’t underperforming.
They’re slow.
Slow to respond.
Slow to follow up.
Slow where it matters most.
THE QUICK TAKE
Problem: You’re tracking everything except the one thing that decides sales.
Reality: Leads don’t wait for your dashboard to update.
Fix: Measure how fast a human responds when intent is highest.
THE STORY
A business owner shows me their numbers.
Traffic is up.
Ads are running.
The website “looks good.”
Then I ask a simple question:
“What happens when someone fills out a form or calls you?”
There’s a pause.
Sometimes the answer is vague.
Sometimes it’s hopeful.
Sometimes it’s silence.
They assume leads are thinking it over.
They assume price is the issue.
They assume marketing needs tweaking.
Usually, none of that is true.
THE INSIGHT
Leads don’t disappear.
They cool off.
Intent has a half-life.
The moment someone reaches out is the moment they’re most likely to buy.
Every minute after that, the odds drop.
Not because your offer is bad.
Not because your website failed.
But because someone else responded first.
Speed doesn’t feel like marketing.
That’s why it works.
DO THIS TODAY:
Time how long it takes you to respond to your next lead.
Decide in advance who responds and how.
Pass/fail test: if it’s not under 5 minutes, it’s too slow.
No optimization required. Just honesty.
THIS ISSUE’S VIDEO TUTORIAL:
What Happens in the First 5 Minutes After a Lead Comes In
What you’ll learn: How response speed quietly decides who gets the sale before price or persuasion ever enter the picture.
RESOURCES (Worth Your Time)
The Missed Money Calculator
Why it matters: Shows how much revenue leaks out through slow response — without guesswork.
The Follow-Up Reality Check
Why it matters: Most leads aren’t lost. They’re ignored.
How To Turn Missed Calls Into Booked Appointments
The One AI Tool Business Owners Can’t Afford To Ignore in 2026
Why This Matters Now
Advertising is getting more expensive.
Leads are harder to win.
Patience is shorter than ever.
When response speed is slow, every dollar works harder — and loses.
This isn’t about doing more marketing.
It’s about wasting less of what you already have.
The Better Question to Ask:
Not:
“How do we get more leads?”
But:
“How fast do we talk to the ones already raising their hand?”
That question changes everything.
Today’s Uncomfortable Truth:
The first business to respond usually wins — even if they’re not the best.
Until next time,
— Gareth Owen
Unlock the Floodgates
Turning attention into calls, leads, and sales.
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