It’s time we put this question to rest once and for all! I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times people ask me this question either when I’m speaking or via email.
Whenever I’m asked this question, I always ask the other person for their answer to the question before I answer it. At least 95% of the time, the response I get is “no” followed by some explanation about how they’ve never been able to make the telephone work. Once they finish talking, I ask them if they like getting phone calls. I get the same answer about 95% of the time: “no”. Let’s cut to the chase and call out the ugly duck: the person who says the telephone doesn’t work for prospecting is the person who doesn’t like talking on the telephone. These are the people that would rather curl up in a corner and spend all day scrolling through Facebook or Instagram and somehow think they are doing their job.
These same people who shun the telephone and rely solely on social media to prospect are the same ones who keep missing their quotas. These are the people who create the turnover in the sales community.
Here are 4 reasons why the telephone still works:
- The level of information you can exchange with a person in just a two minute phone call will be far greater than what could be exchanged in a series of emails with the same person. Not only do you get to exchange information faster, but you also have the opportunity to make sure it’s being understood properly. There’s nothing worse than an email trail that goes sideways because something is misunderstood.
- The telephone allows your personality to come through. We’ve all been given a great personality (except maybe for the crazy uncle or bizarre aunt lurking in everyone’s family!) and the telephone is the perfect place to let it come through. Think about the time you were on a call where it just clicked because the two of you had personalities that played well with one another. Most likely, you’re not going to get that with an email, unless you throw in a dozen stupid emojis.
- The telephone has immediacy. The other person asks you a question and boom, you can answer it immediately. No need to wait for an email response. Wow! That almost seems surreal to say that an answer on the telephone can come faster than via the Internet.
- You can move the conversation in a different direction by speeding it up or slowing it down based upon what you’re hearing. I don’t care how fast you respond to emails; your ability to talk on the phone and move immediately is a huge benefit.
There’s zero reason to shun the telephone. Of course a lot of calls go unanswered or not returned, but stop and ask yourself: is that any different than emails you send? The answer is no! The telephone works. Give it a shot, and you’ll be amazed at what you hear.
Don’t forget: A coach can help you excel in your sales career. Invest in yourself by checking out my coaching program today!
Copyright 2019, Mark Hunter “The Sales Hunter.” Sales Motivation Blog. Mark Hunter is the author of High-Profit Prospecting: Powerful Strategies to Find the Best Leads and Drive Breakthrough Sales Results
For the last 2 months I have fought a battle with a Sales Team about prospecting. If this doesn’t/t work, nothing will.
This is all dependent, of course, on actually getting to speak with someone.
Excellent article. Great points.
Mark You obviously have relevant training related to the B2B space. Do you have any prospecting training related to B2C or are you considering writing a book for salespeople in this space.
EXACTLY!!!
I can’t believe the number of people that think social media has replaced the phone, as well as face to face meetings. Good article, but will they learn?
Thanks
Yes!!!! Mark Hunter is totally right. I am amazed by people who will e-mail back & forth over & over again — although a phone call could get everything done faster + more personally.
When a customer or prospect starts e-mailing me, I almost always just pick up the phone & call the person. I help them more + make more sales & re-orders by just picking up the phone, calling, & talking with the customer or prospect.
Agreed! The telephone is a secret weapon. People are surprised to get a call following up on how their purchase is working for them and it is a great way to secure sales – they needed other items but were too busy to call….
Personalized service will never go out of style!
Mark, Great points on Telephone prospecting! The phone allows for much greater personal engagement and the clarification – as you pointed out so well –that is not always evident in emails.
This is very good advice! I always use the phone when prospecting for new customers!