The person from the directory who annoyed me for 10 minutes has made me think of something we should all do when calling someone. on the phone.
We should ask them 1 question right at the start. And that question is this:
Have you got some time to talk, or should I call back at a more convenient time?
It’s good manners that one. I usually forget to ask, but I have just been reminded how annoying it is to be interrupted by someone you don’t want to talk with.
Cheers
I would have to disagree on this one. As someone who once owned a telemarketing business I know that this would seriously reduce sales, no-one really wants to talk to a salesperson at any time of day so to give them an easy way out is totally wrong.
A good telemarker should initially deliver a great hook then as the call progresses get agreement on key points in order to have “ammunition” for the close.
The fact that you “formerly” owned a telemarketing business. Leaves an impression in my mind Could be a wrong impression but the thought is, yes, “formerly” becuase when people make intelligent suggestions about selling while still being polite you reject them out of hand in favor of rudeness to the potential client.
One of the majot reasons I closed down my exisitng “brick and morttar” business in the US was the continual barrage of telephone solicitaions that took up so much of my day. If you are waiting for clients to call, you have to answer the phone … and then you almost invariably run into someone spouting a script who will not even take time for a breath, let alone give the propect a chance to come up for air.
In case you’re wondering why your former business had so many “rude” hangups, if you re-read Brendon’s advice some insight may come clear.
Successful selling comes from listening and shared respect, not talking over the other person and disrespecting them.
I am an I.T trainer and dabble in web design. During courses I train I have my phone on silent mode and rarely answer the phone..I had a certain number that I noticed was trying to ring me for days…there were maybe a dozen missed calls.
I finally answered thinking it may be important. and I got a telemarketer from a finance company who wanted to help me with my mortgage.only problem is I dont have a mortgage???.
I had to interrupt the guy from his obviously rehearsed spiel …..to tell him this fact and before I had a chance to ask “you mean to tell me you have tried to ring me over a dozen times to try and sell me something that I dont actually need??” he hung up!!
Do telemarketers actually really have anything worth selling??
Thanks guys
Anon, we’re coming at it from different ends – “giving them an easy way out”: not such a great consultative strategy to get the best solution for them.
Thanks for your perspective – it’s great.
Hello Mr Starr (he insists I call him that when we email each other!) – I think a decent strategy will be to cut them off cold and say “No thanks” and hang up.
That’s save me 15 minutes a day. That’s over an hour a week.
Howdy Dan
Amazing that they all that many times and you’re not even a quality or qualified lead.
Just to show you how profitable their sales must be (or how low their overheads).
Cheers.
Brendon
You have me mixed up with one of my illustrious brethren, Brendon … I even have trouble getting people to call me Dave instead of David … usually only my wife calls me that and when she does, things aren’t always peachy keen LoL, to me, Mr. Starr is always my daddy and he passed on some years back and thus no longer cares.
I did get a real chuckle out of the “aualifed lead” bit with the mortgae lender. I used to use a post office box for my business. I received … more than once … an impressive sales envelope filled with brochures and reminders that my “loveley home at P.O. Box 76033” was already pre-approved for a second mortgage. One day. just for a chuckle I called the comapny’s 800 number. When the saleman came on he immediately moved into “maga close” mode. When I finally got through to him I mentioned they were soliciting a post box and perhaps they would take me off their list as I doubted the 4 inch by 6 inch box was qualified. he wouldn’t take “no” for an answer until he asked the first question he should have asked … “Mr. Starr, do you own or rent the property”? “Ummm, well, I rent it.”. “oh, gee, sorry, you don’t qualify then.”, click.
No wonder marketing, done wrong, costs a lot.