Selling on a Monday morning?

24 replies
Is it not okay to make sales calls on a Monday morning?

I tried to sell a mobile website to a restaurant owner. He said no sales calls on a Monday morning (or something like that). I'm not sure if I can call now. Should I call later?
#monday #morning #selling
  • Profile picture of the author jtchaschowy
    Sounds like a jerk trying to throw you off of your game. Was probably having a bad day and wanted to release the negativity onto you.

    Monday is as good as any a time to call. Kick some ass.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      I wouldn't call restaurants at breakfast or lunch time. But I don't know what "Monday" has to do with it. Maybe that's when they do their weekly meeting.

      Anyway...now it isn't morning. And the time you have thought about this, you could have made two or three calls.

      Of course, this is coming from a guy that is posting here too. But I have appointments today and tomorrow.
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  • Profile picture of the author MonteMichaels
    Monday doesn't matter. You will hear the same thing about Friday afternoons, and Wednesdays. People will always have an excuse why they can't take calls.
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    • Profile picture of the author Anthem40
      Statistically, for me, Monday mornings and Friday afternoons are not worth the time it takes to call, That is from tracking calls the last 4-5 years. So I do other things during those time frames. Might be different for you, or others on the forum though.
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      • Profile picture of the author MonteMichaels
        Originally Posted by Anthem40 View Post

        Statistically, for me, Monday mornings and Friday afternoons are not worth the time it takes to call, That is from tracking calls the last 4-5 years. So I do other things during those time frames. Might be different for you, or others on the forum though.
        I've also heard the same things about 8am-10am, before lunch, after lunch, between 3-5pm.

        Even if it is true that I have a lower chance of making a sale, I would rather do something to make a sale, either now or down the road, than busy work.
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        • Profile picture of the author Anthem40
          Originally Posted by MonteMichaels View Post

          I've also heard the same things about 8am-10am, before lunch, after lunch, between 3-5pm.

          Even if it is true that I have a lower chance of making a sale, I would rather do something to make a sale, either now or down the road, than busy work.
          Good for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Most people you call either a) won't be available to take your call, or b) won't be able to talk right now--even though they picked up the phone.

    Watch this. It'll explain what's going on.

    Any day is a good day to call, provided that your prospects are around to talk to. And some just won't want to talk, no matter what you do--the secret is to not take it personally. They don't even want to talk to their own mother at that moment. Move on to the next dial.
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  • Profile picture of the author HAdrian1239
    Actually in terms of that particular place, a lot of them are closed on monday, or only open half a day... which means the owner usually comes in, and the rest of the staff doesn't/ goes home early... so it's a great time to talk to the owner in those cases....

    My family used to own a restaurant....
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  • Profile picture of the author jtchaschowy
    Today is a long weekend in Canada, but I've already called, recieved answers, and scheduled a consultation / meet 'n greet.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    I think there is a real issue with people being busy on Monday Mornings. Also Friday afternoons for the 9 to 5 crowd is that way as well.

    Does that mean you shouldn't call during those times? That is up to you. Anthem tracked it (numbers don't lie) and for him it didn't make sense. The key takeaway is track it.

    And as Jason pointed out don't take it personally. If this rejection threw you off your game that is a bad thing. A rejection should simply be "next" in your mind. The most powerful sales professional is the one who doesn't care if he makes the sale. A true no (learn the difference of an objection vs. a no) just means that they qualified themselves out at this time (remember next time they may say yes).

    So the two biggest keys you can take from this thread are..
    1. Tracking is key - You can only improve if you track where you are now.
    2. Never take rejection personally. At worst they are rejecting your offer but often they just are rejecting anything anyone offers.

    Move to the next call as if it is the first call of the day. Do not have highs and lows in selling. Too many people get on hot and cold streaks and get superstitious. Each sales is an individual unto itself. You can learn from each and you can put your best self forward on each to maximize your future sales but what happened on the last sales call doesn't have any influence on the next. There are no streaks. There is not good luck or bad luck. You determine the outcome of your day not random fate or luck.

    The only truth in streaks is that when people put their best forward they sell more and vice versa. I might be fun to believe in hot streaks but the people who do end up believing in cold streaks too and end up losing more sales than they gain from the so called "hot streak".
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  • Profile picture of the author SalesNirvana
    not a jerk. He doesnt even care about your game .
    always ask about their time convience , he doesnt know you and 99% doesnt want to.
    see my link here ... JUST kidding ....
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  • Profile picture of the author Andy Lemos
    You can make calls during any day as long as the business is open. Don't let any bad experience set you back!
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  • There is no such thing as a rule about making sales calls. Call when ever you want.

    Don't let that one person be the excuse for you not to continue your sales calls: whenever.

    Warm calls are tough enough, but cold calls are harder and stranger. That is how it has been in my experience.

    Go back into the arena until you know you won't do it any longer, but one mustn't allow the end of effort with one snap.

    LLS
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    • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
      Originally Posted by LastingLifeSuccess View Post

      There is no such thing as a rule about making sales calls. Call when ever you want.

      Don't let that one person be the excuse for you not to continue your sales calls: whenever.

      Warm calls are tough enough, but cold calls are harder and stranger. That is how it has been in my experience.

      Go back into the arena until you know you won't do it any longer, but one mustn't allow the end of effort with one snap.

      LLS
      You know it doesn't have to be that way, yes?

      DON'T try to sell in the first part of your prospecting calls.

      QUALIFY first. Sell later.

      Be clinical.

      Find out about this prospect: are they a fit for you?

      THEN, if they are a fit, you can sell.
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      • Profile picture of the author ekalaivan
        I think I missed the obvious.

        While they asked me (my business) not to call on that day, they were probably looking to find new business for themselves. They just didn't realize I could actually bring them that. Nor did I - because I didn't explain them that I can bring new business using my product. Woo!

        Thank you guys.

        Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post


        QUALIFY first. Sell later.

        Be clinical.
        Any pointers on doing that, sir?
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  • Profile picture of the author the05boss
    In general business terms, Mondays are a very bad day to make phone calls or cold calling...Its the cold calling standard or phone sales standard. The best times to call businesses are Tue thru Thurs. Hopes this helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author derricks4
    On to the next one!
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  • Profile picture of the author kellyyarnsbro
    People who needs something does not chose what day they want to buy and have the product you're selling, everyday everytime is a great day and time to look for customers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rearden
    Less thinking and more action.

    You can't measure randomness -- only buck it with action. Lots of it.

    With that said, I don't call on holidays, and stay away from Friday afternoons and weekends when calling on business owners.

    You're not going to get through most of them on the first attempt.

    I've gotten into several big accounts for a first time presentation by calling and leaving voicemails 5-10 times before they picked up.

    By the time they do, they recognize who I am and more times than not don't object to a 15 minute appointment.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    All you know is that Monday matters to that particular owner. It probably has to do with the way that particular owner manages his time. Likely he is doing inventory and then ordering food and supplies. Perhaps banking and other catching up from a busy weekend...

    Next time ask when to call and call him then. Probably 2 to 4 PM Tuesday thru Thursday.

    Statistically speaking, one incident is not enough data to make a decision about anything. Keep calling until you have enough business and enough data to decide when is not a good time for YOU to call YOUR market.

    For more of Jason Kanigan's information, use the Forum search function and you will find his posts and links.
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    "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

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  • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
    If it's a restaurant owner there's a good chance he was
    asleep (keep in mind many restaurants the owner is working
    from 11am or noon possibly later till 2am or 3am.)

    How happy would you be if I called you when you were asleep
    and tried to sell you something?

    Kindest regards,
    Andrew Cavanagh
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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt@viewswin
    I owned 3 restaurants in the last 8 years. No time is good to talk to a sales person, if the phone rings you want bookings and nothing else. I used to get rung virtually every day, had a standard answer to whoever it was, so did my staff. That said some still got through, for me the ones that asked what is the best time to call. That way I knew I would have to deal with them eventually so I usually just gave them a time or listened to the spiel then and there. If it sounded like I could get rid of them quickly and never hear from them again the. I would. If they knew my name they could get through my staff by asking for me directly as as I would never take a call asking for the business owner or such thing.

    So with me, if you knew my name, and asked what time you should call me to discuss bla bla the. I would listen. Best time for me was around 10am, after breakfast and befor lunch preparation. OR send an email with my name in it, saying in the first line or even the subject line that you will be calling.

    I usually said the business is sold to get rid of sales people by the way.

    Hope this helps, I think differently now, however that was my mindset when I was in the restaurant business. I am spending 2 months in Colombia in June, so in a week. I am going to write a short ebook while I am there about the industry very unique I will explain how shops avoid tax, use illegal immigrants to get free labor, dig themselves out of debt by crippling another business, get cheap produce and launder drug money. All true, if anyone is interested in helping market it or affilliate it then contact me. Sorry it wasn't my intention to hijack the thread I just got sidetracked. The book is really a chance to vent a bit and let people know what they are getting into before they lose their hard earned money, th e industry has gone down the shitter. if I can make some income from it the. Even better. Feel free to ask any restaurant related q's also.
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  • Profile picture of the author Pauli7143
    I used to own 8 restaurants...so he goes.

    Monday is the first day to get the coolers and alcohol inventory restocked after what was hopefully a busy weekend(Friday-Sunday)...so no it's not because they don't like...even though I did not like sales people in general.

    If you want the business go eat there, and strike up a conversation... it hard to say no to a paying guest.

    The real problem is most people don't know anything at all about the restaurant business. They think...Let's just give a bunch of stuff away and we'll build this big list and the money will fall from the sky...nope

    The cost factor in restaurants is different than most...Food cost 33% avg...Labor cost 33% avg... if you increase business with strictly give always, Labor still stays the same but has no revenue associated with it, which make the number look very bad.

    Building a list is a great idea but get more creative as to how to get people in the door other than FREE whatever.
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  • Profile picture of the author QuelThalas
    so it has been 3 days. have you make a call already?
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