At first I thought that was a satisfied customer just telling you they'll be back
Just like you tell the waitress or shopkeeper "Loved your stuff, we'll be back"
I would just say "...yes, thank you, I will" and not think anything would come of it
But I would write it down and call them in a month or two, three if I thought that was appropriate, a week or two if that's what I sensed from them
I wouldn't say hey I'm not busy now, I'd say I'm just checking in with you about that XXXX, I remembered you mentioned it...
Sometimes it would be "Yeah well, when your not busy like when it's raining or something (=call back next month)
Sometimes it would be "Oh yeah...when can you do it" "Next week" "OK"
I don't think the "not busy" thing is really it
I found that alot of them just wanted a reminder (they've been putting it off for a while now, what's another month) or a breather (they just paid you a chunk of money, they want a few months before spending some more)
I think it also can be a test by them to find out if you do care about them as a long term commitment
Though when I do get slow I'll run through the whole list and it's saved my butt a few times
Almost all have had more work for me (it may be all-I can't think of any that haven't....there must be a few but....)
I follow up on every one w/o fail
I actually enter it into my customer manager software and have it pop-up as a reminder when to call them back
I've started starting a good size job (for me) this week that I've been "reminding" since last fall every month or two (I did alot of work for her last summer)
"Oh yes, I'm going away for a month, here's the key, and can you also do that and also these other rooms while I'm gone? Send me bills to this address if you want some money before I get back"
I'm not slow and it's not raining, but it's working out just fine
