Although these are great ways to communicate with clients and or prospective clients it seems like NO ONE has the decency to return a phone call or email these days! I completely understand that business owners are busy and that they have 50 other sales people approaching them and knocking on their door trying to sell them stuff as well, but has common courtesy gone completely by the way side? How do you get people to return your calls and emails without being a pest? I am not a "hard seller" so I like to give my clients the freedom to think about what I've pitched but after numerous attempted face to face visits, voice mails, and emails it gets really frustrating! Please help before I go insane!!!!
Thanks,
Amy
Amy, a few weeks ago, RSC member Todd Christen posed a similar question: "What's the best way of getting in front of a prospect who doesn't respond to seed emails, won't answer calls, frowns on 'solicitors' and employs a Nazi gate keeper?" You can check out the responses to his question here. We thought it was such a good question that we subsequently featured it in this Friday poll. Hope some of the ideas in these two threads prove useful for you!
One other approach that I've found particularly useful is Chris Lytle's "magic email." This consists of making "Quick Question" (and nothing else) the subject line of the email, and then in the body, "John/Jane, I have you on my waiting for list of people I'm expecting to hear back from. Am I still on your radar?" That's it. I have used this email many times, and more often than not, it nets me a speedy response, which, regardless of whether it's a yes or no, is always appreciated.
Also, I usually set a limit on the number of times I will follow up with someone -- usually no more than seven voicemail messages (spaced over a couple of weeks, of course), and then, if I haven't heard back from the person, I send the "quick question" email. If I still don't hear back, I figure the individual is probably not interested, in which case I let the account rest for another 1-3 months until I come up with another idea or approach to present to them.
Hi Amy!
Yeah, I know what you mean about "Those Days." Glad today is going better for you, and anytime you need a boost, please do drop by the Cafe . . . we'll always be glad to see you.
-- Rebecca
P.S. - One of my favorite bloggers/sales trainers is Paul Castain. He wrote a great piece recently, When Your Attitude Needs an Enema. I think you might enjoy it (although I should probably point out, for the record, that I am in NO way saying this is true of your attitude). Just the picture he selected to go with this article is worth the click-through. :-D
I love this!! I have a couple that I am going to use this on... Great idea!
Fantastic!!! These are great and I think I have a few people who so rightfully deserve this Thanks for the great and helpful tips! It's good to know we aren't alone out there and that others in the industry go through much of the same thing!
Cheers!
