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Do CEOs of big corps open their own postal mail?

by applegreensnake
9 replies
In what situations (mailing to whom) are there mail gatekeepers to get past?

And what tricks get past them?
#big #ceos #corps #mail #open #postal
  • Profile picture of the author walker22
    Most CEOs do not open their own mail. An executive assistant or secretary acts as the gate keeper and filters what they do and don't see.

    There's a variety of books that cover different strategies on how to get past gate keepers.

    Dan Kennedy and Dave Lakhani both teach methods that are useful. Can't remember which Kennedy book covers his but I think Lakhani's is in his book "How to Sell When Nobody's Buying."

    The one thing both cite as being very effective is sending a lumpy package via FedEx so that curiousity get them to open the package versus a standard business envelope.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
      Send a personal lumpy mail, signature required. But you need to selling something worth doing this for.
      Signature


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    • Profile picture of the author applegreensnake
      Originally Posted by walker22 View Post

      Can't remember which Kennedy book covers this
      Anyone know the book?
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      • Profile picture of the author TakenAction
        Originally Posted by applegreensnake View Post

        Anyone know the book?
        No promises but it might be:

        Book - Simpson Direct, Inc
        Signature

        The best thing you can do is put yourself out there.

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  • Profile picture of the author Len Bailey
    Not only that, whatever attention-grabber you send (to make the package lumpy) needs to be worth their time as well. If it rubs them the wrong way, your whole package will go straight into the circular file.
    Signature

    Len Bailey
    Copywriter/Consultant
    Feel free to connect on LinkedIn or Twitter

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    • Profile picture of the author walker22
      I used to work for a minority owner of several sports franchises and the best way to gain entry to him (which is what I did) was to get on friendly terms with his gatekeeper.

      Let her know I had no interest in wasting his time. Offered to take her to lunch and discuss what the company was up to, etc. Made it clear I wasn't from a competitor. Very above board so she knew I wasn't interested in dating her but instead was approaching her as a colleague/professional who was seeking her advice.

      That approach not only worked very well but it also helps you decide whether you really want to approach that CEO in the long run. The more I learned from her the more I was able to determine if he really was the qualified lead I thought he was.

      Another time I used this approach and found out the company was very quietly on the verge of laying off half it's employees because they were at risk of going out of business. Saved me the hassle of pursuing them because they did shut their doors soon after that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Len Bailey
    Also, sending your letter in a plain (i.e., typed, no teaser copy) No. 10 envelope may help. Just keep in mind the exec. secretary will most likely be the one to open it... so however you send it you need to put the value message front and center.
    Signature

    Len Bailey
    Copywriter/Consultant
    Feel free to connect on LinkedIn or Twitter

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  • Profile picture of the author bob ross
    I find good success with mailing to their personal homes.
    Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Brown
    No they don't. The executive assistant/secretary always gets the first hand to mails and packages for the CEO. To get past to the gate keeper, I am sure being friendly with the gatekeeper will give you access. Sometime bribe works on this area
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