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COLD CALLS + TELEMARKETERS
Sunday Dec. 2, 2018
I hate cold calls. Hate them so much, I rarely make them.
When I need to reach a stranger I’ll email first, ask for a time to chat AND disclose what I’d like to chat about. Even better, an introduction via a mutual friend/associate. That methodology usually results in a connection with or direction to the right person in that organization. It isn’t perfect but it works far better than you might expect if you typically encounter the gauntlet of assistants, gate-keepers, firewalls and mis-direction. I’ve found that disclosing the scope of what I’m pitching and why I am calling often opens doors. Sometimes it rolls out the welcome mat.
On the other hand …
I love cold calls.
Once in a very long while I receive a ‘good/well thought out’ incoming cold call, but it is rare. I listen for the gems. I’m happy to borrow good ideas when I receive a good one which captures attention.
More often, with the majority of bad ones, I’ve given up ‘hanging up on them’.
Instead I tell them I can’t talk to them because I can’t stand bad cold calls. Nobody calls back for a second try …
But I’ve tried to keep an open mind; one of these days someone is going to reach out to me with a fantastic cold call. I’ll study that, I’ll copy that, I’ll re-use it …
Each time I book a new domain name I am prompted by the registry firm to ‘pay extra to keep my contact information private’. I choose not to pay for that service. As a result, I get bombarded by emails and cold calls offering me SEO and assorted web/writing services. Most of the written ones are from someone in India. I delete most but save a few well written ones. These calls last a day or two – always coming from some obscure place in Minnesota, Alabama or California. Some are good speakers, but most are obviously from off-shore call centers. They all begin with some kind of question wanting to know who the owner is. They’ve obviously done no homework at all, yet they want to make a sale. I’ve often wondered if I asked for the name of the owner or their company, or asked to speak to the owner of their company. I doubt they would know what to say. I ask that they not call again and to put me on their do not @%#**(@ !%_)@$ ing call me again. Sometimes I just click-off.
Why do I do this? Partly for the same reason I will let a telemarketer who calls at meal time talk and talk and talk until we’ve exhausted 15 minutes and they hang up on me.
Seriously though, why do this?
I believe, sooner or later, calls will get smarter – people will start with something of value they can give to me, something that starts with, “I bet you are sick and tired of calls like this ….”. Sooner or later the meshing of clever services and clever marketing will come together. Until then, I’ll just rant/vent now and again.
Reader feedback:
WRITE THAT WRONG
I keep wondering the same thing Mark. If the majority care anymore, LH, Lethbridge, AB
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