How to reopen old leads without burning trust

Step 1: clean the list

This step decides whether the campaign helps you or gets you in trouble.

• Email: past customers and leads can usually get email, as long as every message has a working unsubscribe link and your mailing address, and you honor opt-outs.
• Texts: only people who agreed to texts from you and haven't opted out. Your number also needs A2P 10DLC registration, or carriers filter the messages.
• AI voice calls: only people who gave prior express consent to that kind of call.
• Remove past opt-outs, numbers on your internal do-not-call list, and numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry unless you're sure an exception applies.
• Never use purchased, rented or scraped lists.

This isn't legal advice; if you're unsure about a group of contacts, leave them out or ask your attorney.

Step 2: one friendly first message

Write it like a person, from your business name, with a real reason to reply. For example:

*Hi [first name], it's [your name] at [business]. You asked about [service] a while back. We have a couple of openings next week if it's still on your list. Want me to hold one? Reply STOP to opt out.*

No fake urgency, no "last chance" and no discount you don't mean.

Step 3: answer every reply fast

Replies come in at night and on weekends. An AI text agent can answer common questions from facts you approve and offer times on your calendar, and it hands the conversation to you the moment it needs judgment.

Step 4: respect the clock and the word STOP

Federal rules bar telemarketing calls before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m. in the recipient's time zone, and some states are stricter, so I keep campaigns between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. local time. STOP is honored right away, every time.

What results to expect

It depends on how old the list is, how people first found you and what you offer. Anyone who promises a number before seeing your list is guessing. What you should get is a report of every reply and every booking.