Why 15 Minutes Is Enough (If You Do It Right)
Most salespeople waste their first 15 minutes deciding what to do. By the time they open their email client, find the right template, and figure out who to contact, half their time is gone.
The 15-minute routine eliminates this entirely. Every second is mapped. You know exactly what to do, in what order, and how long each task should take.
Here's the math:
- 15 minutes × 5 days = 75 minutes/week of focused sales work
- 75 minutes = ~25 quality touches per week
- 25 touches × 4 weeks = 100 touches/month
- 100 touches at 2% reply rate = 2 conversations started per month (minimum)
That's enough to fill a founder's pipeline. And you can do it in the gaps between meetings.
The 15-Minute Task Queue
Here's the exact breakdown. Set a timer and go:
15-Minute Task Queue (Copy This)
Minutes 0-2: Quick Check (2 min)
- Check for replies from last 24 hours
- If any: respond immediately (this is highest priority)
- If none: move to next task
Minutes 2-6: LinkedIn (4 min)
- Send 2 connection requests to warm prospects
- Include a short personalized note (1-2 sentences)
- Target: people who viewed your profile, mutual connections, or engaged with your content
Minutes 6-10: Email (4 min)
- Send 1 personalized cold email
- Use a template, personalize the first line
- Keep it under 100 words
Minutes 10-14: Follow-ups (4 min)
- Send 2 follow-up messages
- Anyone you contacted 3+ days ago who hasn't replied
- Mix channels: if you emailed, try LinkedIn (or vice versa)
Minute 14-15: Log (1 min)
- Quick note of what you sent and to whom
- Update your pipeline tracker
- Done.
15-Minute Variations by Goal
Not every day has the same priority. Here are three variations based on what your pipeline needs:
Pipeline Building Mode
Use when: Your pipeline is thin and you need new prospects.
| Time | Task |
|---|---|
| 0-4 min | Research 2 new target accounts (find name + email) |
| 4-8 min | Send 2 LinkedIn connection requests |
| 8-12 min | Send 2 cold emails to new prospects |
| 12-15 min | Log + plan tomorrow's targets |
Output: 4 new outreaches + 2 researched accounts
Follow-up Mode
Use when: You've done outreach but replies are slow. Time to nudge.
| Time | Task |
|---|---|
| 0-2 min | Check for and respond to any replies |
| 2-8 min | Send 3 follow-up emails (3+ days since last touch) |
| 8-13 min | Send 2 LinkedIn follow-up messages |
| 13-15 min | Log + flag anyone needing a call |
Output: 5 follow-ups across 2 channels
Closing Mode
Use when: You have warm leads who need a push toward a meeting or decision.
| Time | Task |
|---|---|
| 0-3 min | Review your warmest leads (who's engaged recently?) |
| 3-9 min | Send 2 direct asks (meeting invite, demo offer, or specific question) |
| 9-13 min | Make 1 quick call (voicemail counts) |
| 13-15 min | Log outcomes + schedule next touch |
Output: 3 high-intent touches on warm leads
Weekly 15-Minute Schedule (Template)
Here's how to string these together across a week:
Weekly Schedule
| Day | Mode | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Pipeline Building | Start week strong with new prospects |
| Tuesday | Follow-up | Nudge anyone from last week |
| Wednesday | Mixed (standard) | Balanced approach mid-week |
| Thursday | Follow-up | Catch anyone who hasn't replied |
| Friday | Closing | Push warm leads before weekend |
Example: Two Filled-In Days
Example 1: Monday (Pipeline Building)
0-4 min: Researched Acme Corp (found VP Sales: john@acme.com) and TechStart (found founder on LinkedIn)
4-8 min: Sent LinkedIn connections to Sarah (TechStart founder) and Mike (Acme marketing lead)
8-12 min: Sent cold emails to john@acme.com and sarah@techstart.io
12-15 min: Logged all 4 touches in pipeline tracker, noted to follow up Thursday if no reply
Result: 4 new prospects in pipeline
Example 2: Thursday (Follow-up Mode)
0-2 min: Checked inbox—Sarah replied! Responded with meeting link.
2-8 min: Sent follow-ups to 3 people from Monday (John, Mike, and previous lead Dave)
8-13 min: Sent LinkedIn messages to 2 accepted connections from Tuesday
13-15 min: Logged follow-ups, flagged John for a phone call Friday
Result: 1 meeting booked, 5 follow-ups sent
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Going over time
If you blow past 15 minutes, you'll start dreading the routine. Set a hard timer. When it rings, stop—even mid-sentence. You can finish tomorrow.
Mistake 2: Starting without a list
Don't open LinkedIn and wonder who to message. Know your targets before you start. Prep your list at the end of each session for the next day.
Mistake 3: Skipping the log
That last minute matters. If you don't track what you did, you'll lose track of who you've contacted and when they need follow-up.
Mistake 4: Only doing outreach on "good days"
The power of 15 minutes is consistency. Do it when you're tired. Do it when you don't feel like it. The habit beats the mood.
How Tempo Generates Your 15-Minute Plan
The routine above works manually. But there's friction: you need to maintain your list, decide who to follow up with, and switch between channels.
Tempo removes that friction. You tell it you have 15 minutes, and it generates a task queue with:
- Exactly who to contact (prioritized by deal stage and recency)
- What channel to use (email, LinkedIn, phone)
- Pre-loaded templates you can copy/paste
- Automatic tracking of every touch
No decision fatigue. No spreadsheet maintenance. Just execute and go.