I’ve recently listened to several people speak on the topic of “selling” and one thing that keeps coming up is that you should not “chase” your prospective client. So what does that mean exactly? Of course you need to “ask for the business” and you have to follow up with your prospects. So what’s the right mix? How do you know if you are chasing a client?
It’s important to know your limits. How many times are you going to try to get in touch with the client before you stop? We get this question a lot! One rule of thumb to follow is: “three no’s and you go”. I translate this as: if you try to get in touch with someone three times and you never hear back from them it’s time to move on. But before you delete that prospect from your address list be sure you communicate your action with them. In your third and final e-mail or attempt to contact a non-responsive prospect be sure to say something like: “Because I know you are so busy I want to check in with you and be sure that you are still interested in… As a Professional Organizer the last thing I want to do is waste your time and clog up your inbox. If I don’t hear back from you within a week I will not follow up with you again. Or you can simply e-mail me back and let me know a time that we can speak or if you would like me to follow up with you in one month.”
Of course you would add greeting and closing remarks, but you get the idea. The main point is not to chase the client and to define the ending in a way that is sincere and let’s the prospect know the ball is now in their court. The chase has officially ended and you couldn’t sound more pleasant to work with. The chances are when the prospect is ready they will call you back.
I’ve also learned from many speakers that being able to sell is really about being yourself and building relationships and we are fortunately to be interviewing Helen Graves on August 3, 2009 who will help us understand this even more. This is going to be a great call! I love hearing different people’s perspectives on selling and then figuring out how to make them work for me. What works for you?
Tags: A Red Bench, Add new tag, Angela Ploetz, Christa Wagner, Helen Graves, Sales, Teleclasses
I had recently set up a system for myself to contact someone three times and this article just confirms that for me. Learning how to let them know this is the last time on the 3rd try is very helpful-thank you so much! Monika Kristofferson
Great article! Three no’s and you go is a great rule to follow.
This past week, I’ve utilized another technique I learned at NAPO Conference: When someone says, “I need you,” say okay let’s schedule a meeting right now. It worked! I now have a new client that has been telling me, “I need you,” for months now.
Congratulations and thanks for sharing that great tip!
Thanks Monika! I just wrote the follow up article No Permission Equals Lost Clients. I hope it offers even more clarification.