How to get past the dreaded 'receptionist'?

Get A List Of Small Biz Owners With 5 Employees or less, in the 1.5mil per year brackett... the owner is usually either answering their own phone, or standing within arms reach.

You will never get away from secretaries completely, however this increases the law of averages for you by around 80%

Im sure there are ways around them. I just dont try. Focus on a high probability sales strategy... trust me, its the past of least resistance.

Don't know what your buddy is selling,
however here are two proven to work scripts...

...just tweak for his situation.

All the best,
Ewen

http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...eneration.html

http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...fline-biz.html

I'd try to obtain the managers name before calling .. or if that's not possible, use your first call with the secretary to get the name.

Once you know that you can call back and suggest that the manager will remember you and ask to speak directly to them. Use phrases like ...

"Is Mike there, It's Martin from last weeks meeting, I'm sure he remembers me "
"I can't get through to Mike on his cellphone, can you please connect me as i worry he's having a problem"

Befriend her and treat her like your mother.

Deception is probably worse than just moving on. At least a business owner who's never heard of you can't tell other business owners about the cr@p you tried pulling when you called their office last week.

I think I found the problem you're having right there.

Change your mentality of dealing with administrative assistants, and your approach, and you will see less issues.

~Dexx

True give a different energy, and manage your expextations. If you know ahead of time that only 2 out of ten secretaries are gonna let you through then figure that into your plan.... even less of them would open your email, so cold calling is still much better results.

I find that lying works in fortune 500 organizations but small operations, it means DEATH. You can make white lies which are weak but don't make elaborate ones for small companies -- try to just get your foot in the door and make friends with the secretaries/admin assistants/clerical, etc

Being a secretary myself, and knowing my boss hates getting any calls from anyone whom he doesn't know, means your chance may be slim in talking to him!

However, in some offices, you may be lucky and he may answer the phone, and other managers are more open to listening to new ideas/people.

As someone mentioned, expect to get a 'yes' and you will be pleasantly rewarded.

I know what you mean when you call the receptionist "pesky", but usually in a small biz, they can be the wife, sister-in-law, daughter, etc. These businesses are pounded daily by software, telephone system, copier salesmen!! The secretary has been told to specifically "get rid of them", if they don't have an appointment. You have to be creative. These are "old school" methods but will still work today.

When you call, they will usually answer with "hello,XYZ Widgets, this is Mary, how can I help you? You say, Hi, Mary, this is Thomas with We Can Fix Your Broken Widget Company.com!! I've got a personalized gift for you when I drop by!! Go to the dollar store or WallyWorld and buy a cheap(sorry, inexpensive) coffee mug and one of those metallic type magic markers, Write "World's Greatest Secretary, Receptionist, Whatever" on it and her name. These people never get anything free and they will either appreciate that you thought of them, or admire your ingenuity!! They may get you in to the decision-maker or let you make an appointment, or at least leave your sales copy.

Any novelty type item, a cute picture frame that she can put her kid's or grandkid's pictures in will also work. You know she's got 'em on her desk!! Or some kind of cute dollar store fuzzy bear or doll or whatever. They go crazy over little animal things with a peel off sticky on their feet that they can stick on their computer!! Or a nice cute or funny greeting card, possibly lamenting over-worked and under-paid secretaries!! LOL

You just need to use your imagination. These people are just doing what they've been told and appreciate being thought of and you will stand out from the crowd to them.

Try it if you are not having any luck otherwise!

You might even have some little unusual gadget or novelty to give to the decision maker. People like to get free stuff and usually will return the favor! Hope this helps someone "get in the door".

I do two things.

Call back until the gatekeeper does not answer or call during lunch hours, they gotta eat sometime! = )

Oh also sometimes I just tell them, if the owner finds out you screened this call and did not put me through, he/she might not be very happy that you are the cause of why they missed out on the chance to be seen as the ultimate authority in (city name).

Back in the day when I was a little crazy, I would say things like. This is KMGH Channel 9. That usually got them to drop everything. LOL I don't pull that any longer though.

I would be ashamed to tell you the things I have done on a phone Rus... not like x rated, but in a call center as a young telemarketer... when you are hot you get cocky... then you get humble once you get some age and have been slapped off your horse a few times. lol.