Clients turning down appointments at the last moment

Position yourself better as actually being valuable to their business' success. From the looks of it, you basically just came across as another sales person.

~Dexx

Why not offer the website for free contingent upon them agreeing to pay for hosting and SEO?

essere ricchi,

David

Never ever set an appointment and then call ahead of time to confirm the appointment or for any other reason. That is as good as asking them to cancel.

Set the appointment and then fully intend to show up and fully expect them to abide by their agreement to the appointment time.

I learned the hard way doing that stuff. Don't talk to them unless you need to cancel yourself.

I agree with Dexx.

First, as a business owner I don't play well with those that are going to be in my area and want to come talk with me. Second, I too want to know the bottom line too, not all the sales pitch. Bottom line is I've been interrupted, and unless you knock my socks off or it's timely with something I'm actually looking for, I won't be open or interested. Nothing personal.

Keep at it. Set your boundaries, if that means scheduling appts on your day off then do that. Use your day off to get involved and start building relationships. You'll get a feel for what works and doesn't as you go along. Also, consider marketing to non-local companies to avoid in person meetings.

Its funny that some people fail to look at themselves as the potential source for the reason why they don't have success doing something a certain way do they.

Dude, just take my advice. If your setting appointments by phone don't call again to confirm them, just show up as planned.

ManMusicman here are a few things I've learned over the years:

1. I agree with Rus Sells- don't call to confirm appts. It only allows prospect an easy out.....try making appts near enough to your home base so the trip will be worth it, regardless of the immediate outcome. On the way back, you can make a call on a similar business just to maximize your time. I do that quite often.

2. The further out you set the appt, the less chance they will keep it.

If I see someone in person on Monday, I will try hard to set appt for Tuesday (morning). Not Wed, or Thurs or later in the week. Same thing by phone. Prospects cool off to the idea very fast. You must strike when the iron is hot or at least warm.

3. If your initial sale is $1,000 or less usually, for most legitimate businesses it can be an impulse sale, if presented right. If I stop in a business and present the idea, I can tell right away if there's some interest.

I schedule an appt the NEXT DAY if at all possible. That gives me plenty of time to put together a packet of specific info for their biz. If they have too much time to ponder the whole idea, fear/doubt/ etc creep in. They think, "do i really need this?" ..."maybe my nephew in college can to do this?"..."how do i know this person is legit?" and on and on.

In the past, I lost so much business because of not adhering to this rule. Don't give up.
_____
Bruce

thanks for the info guys

I would really love to call them one day and schedule an appt next day but i feel a bit constrained working a 9-5 day job at the moment which leaves little time to call as i mentioned earlier tuesday is my only day off

Cold calling, while it works, I feel it is truly an emotional drainer, especially to me.
Have you tried preparing a custom proposal for the business you are targetting and the send out physical snail mails to them? I am yet to try this method myself and this might be a bit tough for you coz they might respond to your mail during your work days - unless you can assign someone to handle calls for you. However whatever means you use, once you get one client, use that client to provide you referrals and offer discounts to that first client. He already knows your work, so you have a better chance of growing through people you already have a reputation with.


--------------------------------------------------

Free Google Places Pack / 10 Box Finder Software - Free Download
A quick way to check whether a group of keywords returns places results on the first page or not

Your verbage here sounds pretty vague. pop round - be in your area... It doesn't sound as if the appointment is an appointment.

I will have a personalized assessment for you by tomorrow morning so we can look at the options of how you can get more customers. I think you will be surprised at how affordable these solutions are compared to traditional advertising methods such as newspaper ads and yellow page listings, and even better, they are far more effective. Would it be more convenient for you if we meet during business hours or after business hours?

Great. 4:00. I will be there. Looking forward to helping your business grow.

this is really a pissing scenario. but never say die....they are your customer. ask for a re schedule.

If they are saying "How much" (Buying signal), why not just go ahead and quote them on the phone, and try to close them while the iron is hot?

Hi,
I think you acted professionally instead of giving him an answer over the phone, you said lets meet up and see your requirements. The fact that he's cancelled shows his reluctance to purchase. I would say continue working with this method and try to schedule appointments same day or as soon as possible. Other than that, its a numbers game, get more appointments and you'll see more convert.

Kind Regards,

Just out of curiosity, did you book Sunday or did they?

I've found Tuesdays and Wednesdays to be the best "show" rate days.


I generally approach a business and when they agree to a meeting it goes a little something like this:

Me: "Ok, Mr. Jones.. I've got a Tuesday or a Wednesday, which works best for you?"

Mr Jones: "Um.... Wed I guess..."

Me: "Awesome, I've got a 10:30 or a 1:45, which do you prefer?"

Mr. Jones: "How bout 10:30..."

Me: "Sounds good, I'll see you then."



The key is giving them choices that don't include "No". If you say "Tuesday or Wednesday", the mind automatically assumes those are the only two options it has and it forces them to make a decision between the two.

If you're vague and say "what day of the week", the mind gets overwhelmed and is more inclined to say "no".

The guy had asked for a sunday himself

otherwise i normally would use a script like you just mentioned. giving 2 options though mine would be only tuesdays with 2 timeslots