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Angry Prospects?

by StevenTylerPjs
6 replies
I sent en email a few days ago. I use a tracker and could see if had been opened 25 times. Often times that means it's been read several times and forwarded to other people, maybe getting opinions or an approval, etc. I never did get a reply though.

Today I followed up with a call. It went to voicemail. The voicemail message stated that her voicemail was not working but to feel free to leave a text. So I texted her letting her know I was following up on an email I had sent. She sent a profanity-laced text back telling me not to text sales messaged again.

It's actually one of the angriest responses I've ever gotten. Of course it was through a text not in person or even on the phone. People are a lot tougher online.

What's the angriest a prospect or current customer of yours has ever gotten? What happened and how'd you handle it?

Oh, and the lady I'm talking about above? She's a grade school teacher. I was asking about booking a holiday show for the school. Not a reaction I would have expected...
#angry #prospects
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  • Profile picture of the author savidge4
    Originally Posted by StevenTylerPjs View Post

    Today I followed up with a call. It went to voicemail. The voicemail message stated that her voicemail was not working but to feel free to leave a text. So I texted her letting her know I was following up on an email I had sent. She sent a profanity-laced text back telling me not to text sales messaged again.

    It's actually one of the angriest responses I've ever gotten. Of course it was through a text not in person or even on the phone. People are a lot tougher online.

    Oh, and the lady I'm talking about above? She's a grade school teacher. I was asking about booking a holiday show for the school. Not a reaction I would have expected...
    IF this were to happen to me... I would print out the text and write a very polite note behind it stating there are better methods to communicate, and to remind the TEACHER that her voicemail message stated it was not working at that it is best to text her. I would then send it attn to her at the school she teaches at.
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  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    Originally Posted by StevenTylerPjs View Post

    I sent en email a few days ago. I use a tracker and could see if had been opened 25 times. Often times that means it's been read several times and forwarded to other people, maybe getting opinions or an approval, etc. I never did get a reply though.

    Today I followed up with a call. It went to voicemail. The voicemail message stated that her voicemail was not working but to feel free to leave a text. So I texted her letting her know I was following up on an email I had sent. She sent a profanity-laced text back telling me not to text sales messaged again.

    It's actually one of the angriest responses I've ever gotten. Of course it was through a text not in person or even on the phone. People are a lot tougher online.

    What's the angriest a prospect or current customer of yours has ever gotten? What happened and how'd you handle it?

    Oh, and the lady I'm talking about above? She's a grade school teacher. I was asking about booking a holiday show for the school. Not a reaction I would have expected...
    Angry people can make the best prospects. They are emotionally involved. Chances are very good that you just hit her at a really bad time. Maybe she just had an arguments, maybe she just got bad news. Maybe she just dropped her phone in a puddle.

    Me? I would call again apologizing for upsetting her, and say that the last thing you wanted to do was add to her misery.

    It's very possible that she will apologize to you, because most people aren't mean all the time. And they know when they crossed the line.

    And if she still wants to strangle you? It makes a good story.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Here is what no one has asked the OP:

    Did the 'teacher ASK you to contact her? Did she fill out a form for more info or provide her email and phone as 'contact'?

    Or are you cold calling a list of 'teachers' that you accumulated or purchased? That is a critical question....

    She ignored the email - it was her choice. My guess is the phone number was a personal phone - though I don't approve of her angry message as ignoring the contact would have been better.

    The idea that you would now write her is ludicrous to me. Are you a marketer or a stalker? If she ignores your 'apology' letter - do you show up at her door next?
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    • Profile picture of the author StevenTylerPjs
      I'm not going to write back. I could care less today. Yesterday I was a little annoyed. Posting was my way of venting a little. I also wanted to hear stories from others.

      She's been a previous client for the company for a couple years. They normally book a summer show, so I was reaching out to offer a winter/holiday show. She did not ask to be contacted recently, but that's the nature of this particular business.

      For as many that don't want to be contacted, I have others that thank me for contacting them because they've been too busy handling other things (entertainment isn't always a priority, until it's needed last minute, but then they can't get their date. Happens a lot).

      I'm sure, as Claude mentioned, I didn't completely ruin her day. It probably had very little to do with me. I'd imagine it's a lot easier for some people to take out frustration to a stranger through a text.

      Oh, and the cell number is the contact number that she provided us with . I'd rather call the school directly. I don't like calling cell numbers for sales, but sometimes people prefer it and that's what they give us.

      Next question - if you guys send an e-mail, do you follow-up with a phone call? Generally speaking I mean. I know there's context among everything.
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by StevenTylerPjs View Post


        Next question - if you guys send an e-mail, do you follow-up with a phone call? Generally speaking I mean. I know there's context among everything.
        If you have the phone number, I would just call. The e-mail is unnecessary.

        There was an experiment where a sales letter was sent, and then followed up with a phone call. The guy once forgot to send the letters, and just called. He got the same results, so just stopped sending the letter.

        The only reason I can see to send the e-mail is to force you to make the call on a certain day.
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        • Profile picture of the author StevenTylerPjs
          Thanks Claude, makes sense. In my mind, the e-mail warms them up to get them thinking about a specific date, details, etc. Otherwise I have to call back anyway unless they already have that information ready.
          Having said that, I don't want to become a nuisance either...

          And the call gets rid of the ambiguity of wondering if they read the e-mail and want anything or if they don't. I find out on that first contact. I think the real reason for sending e-mails was the reluctance to call at all. I've been doing it for awhile, and it's just become part of my routine. I'm much more comfortable on the phone now, so I can change that.
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