7 Reasons Cleaning Prospects Don't Return Your Calls

Many building service contractors have given up on in-person cold calling  and have started doing more prospecting over the phone. But because people are so busy, it's sometimes difficult to actually talk to someone on the phone. Many choose not to leave a voicemail message, but some do.

If you DO leave messages, are you doing it in a way that gets people to call you back or are you doing it in a way that turns people off? Here are several reasons your cleaning prospects may not be returning your calls.

1. You talked so fast they would have to re-play the message 5 times to get your name, company name and phone number so they just didn't bother.
2. You only left your name and phone number. Most people won't return calls unless they get your complete name, company name, phone number and most importantly - the reason for the call.
3. You didn't get to the point within the first 10 or 15 seconds. If you ramble on and don't get to the point quickly your message may be deleted before it plays all the way through.
4. You gave a sales pitch and asked them to call you back if they're interested in your services. This one will NEVER get a call back!
5. You continue to call with the same message asking them to call if interested. This will get you blacklisted. It may even prompt a call back just to ask you to stop calling!
6. You decided to try an automated voicemail system where they pick up the phone and receive a recorded message. This ONLY works if they know the caller and would welcome what they have to offer (and even then, most people won't return these calls).
7. You ask if you can speak to "the person" who handles the cleaning. You should already have this person's name. If not, then the purpose of your call should be to get this person's name and title instead of making a sales pitch to get them to call back.

Give some thought to how you leave business voicemail messages. If your calls aren't being returned, it could be a sign you're turning people off!

Do YOU ever leave voicemail messages and if so, do they return your calls? Post your reply by clicking on the Comments link below.

Comments

[Phyllis]

How about 7 pointers on what to do to get a call back!

[Jean Hanson]

Phyllis - part 2 is coming next week!

[Wallace]

In your opinion, which is better, cold calling in person or by phone?

[Jean Hanson]

We used to have good luck with in person cold calling, but this isn't always practical these days. People are busy and don't like sales people just popping in. If you feel comfortable doing it, there's nothing wrong with it. If you've got a lone account in an area that you'd like to expand into, you could stop in and let them know you clean another building in the area, etc.

As far as by phone, more and more companies are starting to use services like Rainmaker Sales Support and having good luck. I would try both to find out what works for you.