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The texts that get you the job.
You missed the call. Fine. What you send in the next 60 seconds decides who gets the job. Copy these, fill in the brackets, done.
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What you get
- The 60-second missed-call text
- The 5 texts that get you to the top rung of the ladder
- Dave’s exact texts from the flooded-basement story
- What to text back when customers say “I’ll call around”
- The rules that matter more than the wording
01 / The missed-call text
Text first. Then call.
Most people won't pick up a number they don't know. A text from you gets read. Send this within a minute of the missed call.
74% of people won't answer a call from a number they don't know.
Source: TransUnion/Toluna survey, Aug 2024, 1,556 US adults.
The 60-second missed-call text
Hi, this is [Name] at [Business]. Sorry we missed your call! What can we help with? Reply here or book a time: [link]
Spam ignores it. Customers answer it. And you don't make them call twice trying to reach a human.
02 / The top rung
5 texts. Pick the one for your business.
The top rung of the ladder is a reply within 5 minutes, and a text counts. Change the words in [brackets].
The average company took 42 hours to respond to a web lead. Only 37% answered within an hour.
Source: Harvard Business Review, 2011 (2,241 companies tested)
1 / General
Hi, this is [Name] at [Business]. Sorry we missed your call! What can we help with? Reply here or book a time: [link]
2 / Emergency trades
[Business] here. We saw your missed call. If this is urgent, reply URGENT and we'll call you right back. Otherwise, tell us what's going on and your address, and we'll get you a time today.
3 / Somebody asking for a price
Hi from [Business]! Missed your call. Most [service] jobs run [$X–$Y]. Want an exact quote? Send a photo or a few details and we'll reply within the hour.
4 / Law, medical and appointment offices
This is [Office]. We missed your call and want to make sure you get helped. Reply with a good time for a callback, or schedule here: [link]
5 / Events and bookings
Thanks for calling [Business]! Tell us your date and guest count, and we'll check availability and send pricing today.
03 / Dave's exact texts
9:47 PM. Water through the ceiling.
Plumber A's mailbox was full. Plumber B's greeting said they were closed. Dave's Plumbing texted back within a minute. Here's what Dave sent.
Illustrative story. Fictional business.
Dave, within a minute (automatic)
Hi, this is Dave's Plumbing. Sorry we missed you! What's going on? We handle emergencies tonight.Customer
water through ceiling, upstairs bathroomDave
Turn off the valve behind the toilet. On my way, 25 min.The first text says who it is, says sorry, asks one question, and tells her they work tonight. The second gives her something to do right now and a time. That's the whole trick. The difference wasn't skill. It was the first 60 seconds.
Dave's text #1, for your business
Hi, this is [Business]. Sorry we missed you! What's going on? We handle emergencies tonight.
Only say “tonight” if somebody really goes out tonight.
Dave's text #2, for your business
[One thing to do right now]. On my way, [X] min.
04 / Say vs. mean
What they say. What they mean. What to text back.
Every owner has heard these. Here's the reply that wins each one.
“I'll call around.”
Means: You have 10 minutes.
Text back
Totally fair. I can have somebody out [today at 3]. Want me to hold that spot while you check?
“No rush.”
Means: There's a rush.
Text back
Appreciate that. I can actually get there [tomorrow morning]. Want me to put you down?
“Just get back to me when you can.”
Means: I already called two other guys.
Text back
Getting back to you now. What's going on, and what's the address?
“Can I get a ballpark?”
Means: Are you going to answer my questions or not?
Text back
Sure. Most [service] jobs run [$X–$Y]. Send me a photo and I'll tighten that up within the hour.
“I left a voicemail.”
Means: I almost didn’t.
Only 42% say they leave one.
Source: CallRail, 2025
Text back
Got it, thanks for leaving it. Calling you in 5 minutes. Is this the best number?
“Called twice, no answer.”
Means: I'm hiring whoever picks up.
About 1 in 5 callers call again within 24 hours.
Source: KaiCalls call data
Text back
Sorry about that, that's on us. I'm free right now. Can I call you?
“Thanks, I found someone.”
Means: You were second.
Text back
Glad you got it handled. Save this number. If anything comes up again, text me and I’ll answer.
“Thanks, I found someone” is the one you can't fix after the fact. The fix is being first next time.
05 / The rules
These matter more than the wording.
- 01
Send it fast. Minutes, not hours.
- 02
Ask one easy question, so replying takes no effort.
- 03
Put in a link or a price range when you can.
- 04
Call them too if they haven't replied within 15 minutes.
- 05
Write down every missed call and what happened to it.
- 06
Texting customers can come with rules where you operate, like US 10DLC registration and consent. Send from a number that's registered for business texting.
Want to check what callers hear when you don't pick up? Run the 9 PM test.
Rather not do all this by hand? Kai picks up when you can't and texts you what happened: kaicalls.com