Some people just can't be reached by phone. So, do we just close up shop and go home? Absolutely not. However, there are things we do need to take into consideration.
First, is this person truly unreachable?
Some people may seem to be but we may just have to be a little more patient. Try making calls at different times and days. If you're bounced to voice mail, try just using your name and number without a message.
Second, make sure that this person is truly the decision maker.Sometimes there are other people in the decision making process that you can reach. Don't forget about the screener, either. Often these people have the information you need. Making a friend of them can help you get through.
Third, if you are speaking with a screener, use it as an opportunity to qualify. Why spend weeks trying to reach someone if your products or services are not good fits?
Fourth, have a large enough list of prospective customers that you don't feel you have to put an usually large emphasis on one or two potential accounts. It's great to win the big ones, the difficult ones but make sure your market is large enough that you aren't desperate for a particular account. Sometimes being more relaxed helps you think up your strategies more easily.
Fifth, if this really is a account you need to close and you really need to speak to someone - network. This is what those networking events help you with - yes I know "Unreachable" probably won't be there either, but you want to make contacts who can tell you how to reach them. In many ways, this is why many people use for LinkedIn.
Sixth, email won't necessarily get a response unless you have a referral name or your product is just what they need at that moment in time.
It's frustrating when you can't people an individual you'd like to. This is among the many challenges of sales. Remember, strong techniques will help you succeed in the end.
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