Sales Skills / Make the First Contact Count / Lesson 31

LESSON 31 · MAKE THE FIRST CONTACT COUNT

Propose Two Time Options

Practical ways to propose two time options, a simple trick that makes saying yes easy.

A choice makes yes easier than an open question. Remove the work from scheduling.

12 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan

12 tips that really help

These ideas come from Fanatical Prospecting (Jeb Blount), Cold Calling Techniques (Stephan Schiffman), The Little Red Book of Selling (Jeffrey Gitomer), and everyday practice. The first six help the most. Pick one and try it today.

TIP 1

Two options feel easier than one

Offering two times makes it easy to choose and avoids long back-and-forth emails.

TRY THIS
Always propose two slots.

TIP 2

Choose times that suit them

Offer slots that fit typical working hours in their time zone.

TRY THIS
Check their time zone.

TIP 3

Space the options apart

Use different days so they have real choice if one day is busy.

TRY THIS
Offer Tuesday and Thursday.

TIP 4

Write the times clearly

Include day, date, time and time zone to avoid confusion.

TRY THIS
Check your wording.

TIP 5

Offer a third if both fail

A friendly line such as or suggest a time that suits you keeps the door open.

TRY THIS
Add that line.

TIP 6

Use a booking tool

A simple scheduling link saves messages and shows professionalism.

TRY THIS
Set up a free link.

TIP 7

Leave buffer around meetings

A gap before and after protects your punctuality and calm.

TRY THIS
Block fifteen minutes extra.

TIP 8

Confirm quickly after they choose

Reply right away with thanks and a calendar invitation to lock the time.

TRY THIS
Send the invite at once.

TIP 9

Avoid vague phrases like sometime next week

Specific times are easier to act upon than open requests.

TRY THIS
Rewrite one vague message.

TIP 10

Be flexible if needed

If both times fail, listen to their suggestion and adapt without complaint.

TRY THIS
Prepare to say happy to work around you.

TIP 11

Offer morning and afternoon

Different parts of the day suit different people and raise your acceptance rate.

TRY THIS
Offer both when possible.

TIP 12

Review which times work best

Notice which slots people choose most and offer those first.

TRY THIS
Track the pattern monthly.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many sales conversations.

OFFER

“Would Tuesday at ten or Thursday at two suit you?”

EASY

“Either works for me.”

LINK

“You can also pick a time here.”

CONFIRM

“I have put Thursday at two in my calendar.”

REMINDER

“I will send a reminder the day before.”

THANKS

“Thanks for making the time.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Check your calendar

DAY 2
Pick two good slots

DAY 3
Offer them in your next message

DAY 4
Confirm the choice

DAY 5
Send a calendar invite

DAY 6
Send a reminder

DAY 7
Track acceptance

More lessons in “Make the First Contact Count”

Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.

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