10 Ways to Get Past Gatekeepers When Prospecting on the Phone

1. Call and ask for the Sales Department. 

Talking with salespeople can be an excellent approach. It’s amazing how one salesperson will be willing to help out another salesperson.

When asking for assistance, be sure to offer to help them in finding potential leads and contacts.

Read more. <– Click on each link to read more in-depth on each strategy!

2. Treat the gatekeeper like a prospect.

Rather than asking the gatekeeper for the person you want to speak to, begin the call by asking them the same questions you would ask your prospect.

Many times the gatekeeper will realize they can’t answer the questions and wind up connecting you with the person and/or department who can.

Read more.


via Sony Pictures on GIPHY

3. Call back before 8 AM or after 5 PM.

Most gatekeepers work traditional hours, so calling either before 8:00 a.m. or after 5:00p.m. may allow somebody else to answer the phone.

Read more.

4. Call during holiday weeks.

I’m always surprised at how people behave differently knowing there’s a holiday coming. Calling during a holiday week may very well result in speaking with the gatekeeper when they are in a completely different mood.

Read more.


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5. Call one or two digits off from the phone number you’ve been calling.

When the person answers, be upfront and say who you’re looking to speak to.

Read more.

6. Call and ask for Accounts Receivables.

Every company is eager to collect all of the money they can, and by asking for that department, you’ll get connected. When you do get connected, be upfront and state who you’re looking to speak to.

Read more.

7. Call at different times of the day or over lunch.

Everyone takes breaks, and many times the person who relieves the gatekeeper for lunch and/or breaks does not take the same approach as they gatekeeper would.  That person filling in may very well put you through.

Read more.


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8. Let your personality come through.

Allow the gatekeeper to see you as a normal person who is merely doing their job, just like them.

Read more.

9. Call a different division or location, if the company has one.

Use the other location as a way to learn who you should speak to when you do call the location you’re trying to reach.

Read more.

10. Don’t allow one rejection by a gatekeeper to stop you from calling again.

Persistence can and will payoff.

Bonus: Don’t take it personally.

If you allow a rejection by a gatekeeper to negatively impact you, there is little chance you will ever be successful.

The beautiful thing about be being blocked by a gatekeeper is the same thing is most likely happening to your competitor. The big difference is your competitor is probably blowing off the opportunity, leaving the door wide open for you once you get past the gatekeeper.

I’ve seen many situations where huge sales have been made after getting past the gatekeeper.

Read more.


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Copyright 2015, Mark Hunter “The Sales Hunter.” Sales Motivation Blog. Mark Hunter is the author of High-Profit Selling: Win the Sale Without Compromising on Price.

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One Response

  1. Mark,

    I like 70% of what your post has to offer but numbers 1, 5, and 6 strike me as slightly unethical. I find that most decision makers want to find out how you got to their desk. While they are viable options to get a conversation they are also options to get you black listed. It would be good to get your success rates with the all the above strategies.

    Thanks,
    RW

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