Answer Engine · Playbook
How fast should you call a new inbound lead?
Short answer: Call new inbound leads within 60 seconds. Contact rates drop roughly 8x after the first five minutes and continue to fall sharply after that. AI SDRs solve this by dialing the moment the form is submitted.
Key facts
- Ideal response time: under 60 seconds.
- Contact rate drops around 8x after 5 minutes.
- Conversion drops further at hour, day, and week intervals.
- AI is the only reliable way to hit sub-minute response 24/7.
Why speed wins
Buyer intent is highest right after form fill. Every minute the lead cools, competitors catch up, and the buyer moves on.
How AI enables it
Webhook the form submission and the AI dials within seconds, day or night, weekends included.
Related questions
What if the lead doesn't answer?
The AI runs a persistent multi-touch cadence over the next days and weeks.
Should the first call be human?
Speed beats channel. AI in 30 seconds outperforms a human in 30 minutes.