Phone Spammers Need You Too
I can't believe I just did this.
Normally, I give telemarketers the toilet treatment (meaning I place the phone near the toilet and simply flush the thing when they call). But today, I spoke with the most hapless individual -- ever.
It was the infamous "You have a Microsoft computer virus and I'm here to help," phone call. The guy on the other end was obviously new to the job, and he sounded just a little too nervous to deserve the digital distaste I typically send these people. He slowly, but dutifully read his script, and right as I was about to head to the restroom, I sat back down.
There was so much embarrassment, sadness, and shame in his voice, I felt sorry for him. So I waited for him to finish speaking, and then I asked him if he had any technical skills and a home computer.
He said yes.
I said great. I told him when he gets home, load up the vWorker website and create an account so he could earn some honest, ethical rupees with his skills. We had a short, 30 second conversation about the site, undoubtedly rushed so his boss wouldn't overhear him.
Finally, he said thank you, and I wished him luck.
I will never know if that guy follows through with my advice. But I do know that at a critical moment, there was an opportunity to "sell" this guy on a different route, and I wondered how many more opportunities there would have been with these folks if I had only stayed out of the bathroom.
I guess the moral of this little story is being aware of opportunities when they pop up, and taking immediate advantage of them can be an interesting approach to marketing whatever it is you're marketing. And if what you're marketing is genuinely helpful and ethical, you can feel damn good about peddling it off to people who try to peddle their wares onto you.
Normally, I give telemarketers the toilet treatment (meaning I place the phone near the toilet and simply flush the thing when they call). But today, I spoke with the most hapless individual -- ever.
It was the infamous "You have a Microsoft computer virus and I'm here to help," phone call. The guy on the other end was obviously new to the job, and he sounded just a little too nervous to deserve the digital distaste I typically send these people. He slowly, but dutifully read his script, and right as I was about to head to the restroom, I sat back down.
There was so much embarrassment, sadness, and shame in his voice, I felt sorry for him. So I waited for him to finish speaking, and then I asked him if he had any technical skills and a home computer.
He said yes.
I said great. I told him when he gets home, load up the vWorker website and create an account so he could earn some honest, ethical rupees with his skills. We had a short, 30 second conversation about the site, undoubtedly rushed so his boss wouldn't overhear him.
Finally, he said thank you, and I wished him luck.
I will never know if that guy follows through with my advice. But I do know that at a critical moment, there was an opportunity to "sell" this guy on a different route, and I wondered how many more opportunities there would have been with these folks if I had only stayed out of the bathroom.
I guess the moral of this little story is being aware of opportunities when they pop up, and taking immediate advantage of them can be an interesting approach to marketing whatever it is you're marketing. And if what you're marketing is genuinely helpful and ethical, you can feel damn good about peddling it off to people who try to peddle their wares onto you.
Established webmaster since 1998. Bought my first domain name for $70 and had to pay $1000 a month for hosting. It was the good life
Skype: twool9
Email me at thomasw9 ((((a)))) G mail
Established webmaster since 1998. Bought my first domain name for $70 and had to pay $1000 a month for hosting. It was the good life
Skype: twool9
Email me at thomasw9 ((((a)))) G mail