New Message I'm leaving - What do you think?

by him77
15 replies
My name is $&@&$,
I'm calling from 478-901-0000

I'm a small business owner and I'm offering free marketing consolations for some business around town I thought you may be interested. My goal is to obtain client testimonials and that's why it's free for now until the end of march. Give me a call and we can chat in more detail.


Any advice? Tips?
#leaving #message
  • Profile picture of the author Aussieguy
    Wouldn't grab me. Personally I mean.

    Don't want to be discouraging, I just think you're better off talking to someone live rather than this message leaving I'm reading about recently on the forum.
    But I could be wrong.....

    Anyway, the two words that struck out to me as undesirable: marketing consultation. Nobody likes a consultant (lol), and marketing is an 'expense' word. Just my opinion. Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author HarrieB
    Go for it and take out as much information about the companies around and how it works and what kind of services he provides.

    Though free things are not the best certainly but who knows it might just open up new avenues!!
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  • Profile picture of the author EmmaPowell
    Ok here is the thing.....

    Its not about what you have to offer them, its whats in it for them.

    You are loosing the sale because you are making it all about you.... make it about them and sell them the benefit of what you are selling

    Also, throw in some scarcity, eg: this offer is only available for the first 5 businesses, first come first serve then the price will increase to $X By doing this you just made the sale a little more time sensitive =)

    Good luck and good on you for taking action, that alone will get you sales, just try for the shortest route =)
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  • Profile picture of the author reactiontm
    Originally Posted by him77 View Post

    My name is $&@&$,
    I'm calling from 478-901-0000

    I'm a small business owner and I'm offering free marketing consolations for some business around town I thought you may be interested. My goal is to obtain client testimonials and that's why it's free for now until the end of march. Give me a call and we can chat in more detail.
    I, I, I, I, I...

    My name is, I'm calling from, I'm a, I'm offering, My goal...

    This message is more about YOU than anything else.

    Not sure who you're calling here, but small business owners aren't hoping that someone will call them today offering free marketing consultations.

    There has to be a benefit here- you have to promise SOME kind of result.

    Even when you're offering something for free, you have to honestly add value- if you can really show them how to cut costs, increase sales, improve profits, etc. then free means something. Otherwise, it's meaningless.

    Now until the end of March doesn't really create urgency, but that's the least of the concerns here.

    Originally Posted by him77 View Post

    Give me a call and we can chat in more detail.
    There's nothing in the message which merits a chat, which is why nobody will be giving you a call.

    A better intro would be something like, we specialize in X [and X had best be short]. I'm looking for 3 (business owners) in this area/industry who want to [increase their sales by Y%] in the next 90 days at absolutely no cost to you.

    There has to be a specific promise made- you need a hook- a bold one- if you're going to get someone to respond to your message.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Why leave details in a message that allow prospects to screen you Out?

    Make them curious enough to call you back.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Hi, this is IRiS,

    We have something important to discuss, please return my call as soon as possible.

    555-1212

    Trust me they'll call! LOL
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    • Profile picture of the author Rockrz
      Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

      Hi, this is IRiS,

      We have something important to discuss, please return my call as soon as possible.

      555-1212

      Trust me they'll call! LOL
      I get calls to our business where they leave messages like this, and I ignore them...cause if we really did have something important to discuss they would say what the subject or topic of discussion was.

      When they don't, I know it's a sales guy...and that's my cue to ignore them.

      On the other hand, as a sales person myself...I cannot be sold cause I shop on my terms when I'm ready and I do not allow sales people to tell me what's best for me and my business.

      Most sales people are all about what's best for them and their pocketbook and it's obvious. That right there is what turns most people off from being sold is because the sales person is ALL about themselves...not about serving the potential customer.
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      • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
        It was a joke bro. Don't hate on me!

        Originally Posted by Rockrz View Post

        I get calls to our business where they leave messages like this, and I ignore them...cause if we really did have something important to discuss they would say what the subject or topic of discussion was.

        When they don't, I know it's a sales guy...and that's my cue to ignore them.

        On the other hand, as a sales person myself...I cannot be sold cause I shop on my terms when I'm ready and I do not allow sales people to tell me what's best for me and my business.

        Most sales people are all about what's best for them and their pocketbook and it's obvious. That right there is what turns most people off from being sold is because the sales person is ALL about themselves...not about serving the potential customer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rockrz
    Oh, I wasn't hating on anybody...you know, just because someone doesn't agree with something you say does not mean they HATE you... people nowadays all claim that anybody that doesn't readily agree with them, HATES them....that's just being narcissistic is all that is!

    No, I was just relaying how I deal with sales people...maybe it will give some insight as to why the sales process fails so many times.

    If a sales guy has something I actually need and want...he better be all about helping me, otherwise...I hang up, tell him to leave, or whatever it takes to end the conversation!
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    • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
      I know you weren't hating on me, I was just messing with you! = )

      Originally Posted by Rockrz View Post

      Oh, I wasn't hating on anybody...you know, just because someone doesn't agree with something you say does not mean they HATE you... people nowadays all claim that anybody that doesn't readily agree with them, HATES them....that's just being narcissistic is all that is!

      No, I was just relaying how I deal with sales people...maybe it will give some insight as to why the sales process fails so many times.

      If a sales guy has something I actually need and want...he better be all about helping me, otherwise...I hang up, tell him to leave, or whatever it takes to end the conversation!
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      • from Chet Holmes:

        Imagine you're in a room filled with your Target Market.

        they are told they can leave anytime if they don't hear what they want.

        what can you say (WIFT) that will keep as many people there?


        with information overload and a busy schedules...you have to get their Attention 1st.

        p.s. - I sent you a PM

        good luck
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        • Profile picture of the author Rockrz
          Originally Posted by kirbymarketingconcierge View Post

          with information overload and a busy schedules...you have to get their Attention 1st.
          Yeah, if you REALLY want to get their attention...slap 'em upside they head!

          That's a big problem in sales...when sales people LIE and EXAGGERATE just to get people to pay attention with no regard for whether the product being sold is useful, wanted, or needed by the customer. I know it's hard to believe but...not everybody needs whatever it is you're hawking!

          This is why most people view sales people as being down there with lawyers and politicians cause their all liars!

          The difference between being a true professional sales person and being a liar is putting people before the almighty dollar, which in the long run will actually cause more business to come your way...and yes, I understand that most here don't get this and probably never will.
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  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    The only way to know which message will work best it to... TEST!

    Try one message, call a decent amount of businesses... (100 or so)
    Tweek the message, call another 100 or so.
    See which one generates a greater response.

    Tweek the better of the two, and do another round of calls..... etc.

    Until you find one that creates a decent rate of callbacks.

    Then, you work on your close.
    Signature
    Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone
    - Neale Donald Wilson -
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  • Profile picture of the author Seantrepreneur
    Definitely agree with the people talking about testing. Go ahead and try one message on 10-15 calls and another message on another 10-15 calls. See what kind of response you get.

    I would also suggest staying away from the word "free" it will instantly make people suspicious of your call. Instead maybe say something like I had a couple questions I wanted to ask you about your business or something along those lines.

    Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author David Miller
      @Seantrepreneur - Just noticed your signature....Congratulations!

      -----

      Everyone I've ever spoken with about sales, every audio I've ever listened to about sales, every book I've read about sales, has the same thing to say about leaving messages:

      "Regardless of how good or creative you think your message is, the odds of a return call are extremely low".

      With that being the case, any message you leave should never be deceptive (i.e., it's important I hear from you right away). The message should be a brief explanation of why you called, maybe a 15 second version of the 30 second elevator pitch - no one likes long voice mails and 30 seconds is a long voicemail).

      Your message should end with an indication that YOU will be calling back. I know some people do this by saying "if I don't hear from you I'll call you back". Personally I don't like to do that although I can't articulate precisely why other than to say it actually keeps me in control because because I'm not waiting for permission to call, or for their return call.
      Signature
      The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything.
      -- FRANK SINATRA, quoted in The Way You Wear Your Hat
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