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The Complete 7-Touch Follow-Up Sequence for Service Businesses

Every message. Every subject line. Every timing. Copy it directly into GHL and your follow-up runs itself — for HVAC, painting, medspa, coaching, home services, and more.

7 ready-to-use templates
14 days of automated follow-up
4 SMS + 3 email touchpoints
Preview
Touch 1 — SMS — Immediate
Hey [First Name], this is [Your Name] from [Business]. Just saw your inquiry come through - are you still looking for [service]? Happy to get you a quick quote. -[Your Name]
Touch 2 — SMS — 2 Hours Later
Hi [First Name] - wanted to follow up on your [service] inquiry. We have openings this week. Would [Day] or [Day] work for you?
Unlocked after opt-in
Touch 3 — Email — Evening, Day 1
Subject: Quick question about your [service] project...
+5 more templates inside

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Your 7-Touch Follow-Up Sequence

All 7 templates are below. Replace the [bracketed variables] with your business details, paste into GHL, and set the timings shown on each card.

How to use this in GHL: Go to Automations → New Workflow → Trigger: Contact Created or Lead Form Submitted. Add each touch as a Wait step (set the delay shown) followed by an SMS or Email action. Use GHL's merge fields to replace the variables automatically.
Variable reference
{{contact.first_name}} — Lead's first name
{{user.name}} — Your name
{{location.name}} — Your business name
{{contact.source}} — How they found you

In GHL these are called Custom Values. Replace the [bracketed text] below with the GHL variable or type it in manually for a simpler setup.

1
First Contact
Send immediately — within 5 minutes of inquiry
SMS
Hey [First Name], this is [Your Name] from [Business Name]. Just saw your inquiry come through — are you still looking for [service type]? Happy to get you sorted quickly. -[Your Name]
Why it works: Speed is the entire game on touch 1. Leads contacted within 5 minutes convert at 8x the rate of those contacted after 30 minutes. This text is short, personal, and asks a single yes/no question — low friction, high reply rate.
2
Soft Follow-Up
2 hours after Touch 1 (if no reply)
SMS
Hi [First Name] — following up on your [service] request. We have openings this week. Does [Day] or [Day] work for a quick call or visit? -[Your Name], [Business Name]
Why it works: Offers two specific days instead of "let me know when you're free." Giving a choice reduces the cognitive load of replying. Keep it casual — this isn't a sales pitch, it's a scheduling text.
3
Value Email
Evening of Day 1 (if no reply)
Email
Subject lineQuick question about your [service] project, [First Name]
Hi [First Name], I reached out earlier about your [service] inquiry — just wanted to make sure this didn't fall through the cracks. A few things I'd love to answer for you: - What's a realistic timeline for [service type] in your area? - What does a typical project cost? - What should you look for in a [service] company? Happy to answer any of these on a quick call, or just reply here. — [Your Name] [Business Name] | [Phone Number]
Why it works: Switches from "are you ready to book" to "here's what you probably want to know." Repositions you as helpful rather than pushy. The three questions create curiosity and a low-friction reason to reply.
4
Social Proof Text
Day 3 (if no reply)
SMS
Hey [First Name] — [Business Name] here. Just finished a [service] job for a [neighbor / nearby business] last week — they left us a 5-star review. Still happy to help with yours when the timing works. -[Your Name]
Why it works: Social proof without being braggy. Mentioning a nearby job uses geographic familiarity as a trust signal. "When the timing works" removes pressure and often prompts a reply from leads who are genuinely interested but busy.
5
Objection Handler
Day 5 (if no reply)
Email
Subject lineIs price the hesitation, [First Name]?
Hi [First Name], I've been following up a couple times and haven't heard back — which usually means one of three things: 1. The timing isn't right yet (totally fine — just say the word when it is) 2. You went with someone else (no hard feelings — hope it went well) 3. You're not sure about the cost (let's talk — I can usually work with your budget) If it's #3, I'm happy to walk you through options on a quick call. No pressure, no pitch. — [Your Name] [Business Name] | [Phone Number]
Why it works: The numbered list names their likely objections and gives them "permission" to respond honestly. Option #2 is a pattern interrupt — acknowledging they may have gone elsewhere builds trust and often prompts a "actually we haven't decided yet" reply.
6
Last Chance
Day 8 (if no reply)
SMS
Hey [First Name] — [Your Name] from [Business Name]. Last note from me, I promise. Our schedule is filling up for [month/season]. If you want to get [service] done before then, reply here and I'll hold a spot. Otherwise — no worries at all. 🙂
Why it works: Scarcity is real (your schedule does fill), and "last note from me" is a pattern interrupt that gets high open/reply rates because it sets a clear close. It removes pressure while creating urgency. This touch alone recovers a meaningful percentage of otherwise-lost leads.
7
The Re-Engage
Day 14 (final touch)
Email
Subject lineStill here if you need us, [First Name]
Hi [First Name], I won't keep filling your inbox — this is my last follow-up. If [service] is still on your list for this year, feel free to reach out anytime. We're usually booked a few weeks out, so the earlier the better. Here's our booking link if you ever want to grab a time: [Booking Link] Wishing you well either way. — [Your Name] [Business Name] | [Phone] | [Website]
Why it works: Closes the loop graciously. The booking link is a direct path to conversion with zero friction. "Booked a few weeks out" creates mild urgency without being pushy. Many leads who weren't ready on days 1-6 will book on day 14 simply because life caught up and they're finally ready.
Sequence timing at a glance
Touch 1 — SMS, Day 0 (immediate)
Touch 2 — SMS, Day 0 (+2 hrs)
Touch 3 — Email, Day 1 (evening)
Touch 4 — SMS, Day 3
Touch 5 — Email, Day 5
Touch 6 — SMS, Day 8
Touch 7 — Email, Day 14

Want ATJ to build this sequence in your GHL account?

We set up the full 7-touch workflow — with your business name, your service, and proper branching logic — as part of the Starter Plan. Live in your first week.

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