Short answer
Respond the same day, ideally within an hour. When you pay per inquiry, speed is ROI, not politeness.
After this lesson: You will treat response time as a conversion lever and know what to do in the first hour after an inquiry lands.
When this matters
An inquiry is someone raising their hand right now. They may have filled out your form, clicked call, or messaged through a partner. The clock starts when you see it.
If you buy inquiries or run ads, you already spent money to get this person in front of you. Every hour you wait, someone else can answer first, or they cool off and move on.
What I learned
I used to think fast replies were good manners. They are. They are also the cheapest way to improve close rate on leads you already paid for.
Why this works
Search-intent buyers are often comparing options the same afternoon. The chef who calls first sets the tone: responsive, professional, ready to work. Slow response reads as unavailable, even when you are just in service.
What to do
Set a personal rule: same-day response, with a target of under one hour when you can.
When the inquiry lands, scan for basics: what they want, when, where, and whether it matches what you offer.
Your first touch is a call or a short message that ends with booking the in-home meeting, not quoting on the spot.
If you cannot call immediately, send a brief note that you received it and will call within a set window. Then keep that window.
- Turn on notifications for inquiry sources you pay for.
- Block 15 minutes after service for callback windows.
- Use the first-call checklist so you qualify and book the meeting in one pass.
Lines to use
I just saw your inquiry and wanted to reach out while it is fresh. Do you have five minutes to talk about what you are planning?
I will call you within the hour. If that window does not work, reply with a better time and I will make it happen.
FAQ
- How fast is fast enough for a personal chef inquiry?
- Same day is the floor. Within an hour is the target when you pay per lead. Buyers comparing chefs often decide who feels most available that afternoon.
- Should I quote on the first response?
- Save pricing for after you understand scope in person. The first touch qualifies fit and books the meeting.
- What if I am in the middle of service?
- Send a short acknowledgment with a specific callback time, then call when you said you would. Predictable beats instant if instant is not realistic.
- Does speed matter for referrals too?
- Yes. Referrals are warmer, but they still shop. Fast response signals you run a real business.
Related: The close is not on the phone