Calling Acquaintances
ACQUAINTANCE PHONE APPROACH
This approach is to be used with people you know, but not as well as the first people you contacted in training.
“Hi ______! This is ______.... I’m not sure if you remember me, but (re-establish how they know you, etc.). The reason I’m calling is that I just started a great new job, and as part of my training I need to do some training appointments.
The reason I thought of you is….
Ex) You’re one of the most successful people I know, and I’d love your feedback
Ex) You’ve always given me good feedback, so I’d like you to know what I’m doing
Ex) I know you’re in sales, so I wanted your feedback
Ex) _______ says you’re one of the nicest people they know… is that true? Great, because I’m only supposed to see nice people…
It’s a lot of fun, it’s quick and easy, and it can actually help me earn a couple of scholarships from the company.
It's actually a quick ZOOM call, it doesn’t take very long, and you don’t have to get anything. Of course, if you see something you like you can get it, but mainly I’d really like to get your opinion on me and how I do on the appointment.
I need to do ______ appointments by _________ (next 3 days) to hit my goal. I have an opening for you at _________(day) at (time)________ or would (time)_______, be better for you? (Set a time)
FIRM UP (so they'll remember & know it's important)
(REPEAT DAY and TIME) - Great! Thanks a ton! This really means a lot to me!
(If they are in a long-term relationship, make sure to ask for BOTH to be present for the demo, so say the next line:)
It work's best if both you and _(partner/spouse)_ do this with me together. Is this a time that _(partner/spouse)_ will be available also?
(Smile) Thanks so much for helping me with this! I’m really looking forward to catching up.
I'm booking my appointments back to back to hit my goal, so are you sure this is a good time? Thank you so much!
I’m going to send you a confirmation text in a few minutes. Also, I'll need to email you a ZOOM-link before we meet. What's your E-mail address?
Great! I'll send you the link at about _(10-minutes before time)_, then I'll call/text when it's time to meet on the ZOOM.
This is a big deal for me so I appreciate you. Thanks so much. Bye.
Confirmation TEXT:
Thanks so much, (name) . This appointment is super important for me.
We are scheduled for: (day), (date), at (time).
I appreciate your help. :-)
HANDLING QUESTIONS ON THE PHONE
Not interested
I can totally understand and that’s great. It’s even better if you’re not interested because that way it will probably take even less time. (____________) liked it and I’ll make sure we have fun. And So would __________ be good or is __________ better?
I’m busy
I can totally understand and that’s great. It doesn’t take long and the busiest people give the best opinions. (____________) liked it and I’ll make sure we have fun. So would __________ be good or is __________ better?
Call me later
I can totally do that. Thanks for being willing to help me out. It sounds like you are pretty busy right now and that’s great because the busiest people give the best opinions. (____________) liked it and the main reason I’m calling today is because I really need to get in FOUR appoints in the next THREE days. Could you squeeze me in early in the morning at 7:30am or would later at night work after 9pm be better?
How long will it take?
That’s a great question and thanks for being willing to help. It’s hard to say exactly how long it takes because it depends a lot on how many questions people might ask? The official "presentation" part of the appointment is about 28-35 minutes. So would __________ be good or is __________ better?
What are you selling?
That’s a great question and thanks for being willing to help. Remember that you don’t have to buy anything because I get credit just for the visit. The product I get to share is called CUTCO. Have you heard of it?
… I have CUTCO
Great! How long have you had it? That’s perfect, and even better. It won’t take as long and your opinion will really be important! So would __________ be good or is __________ better?
Never heard of it. What is it?
You haven’t? Ok well CUTCO is some really nice things for the kitchen. You probably are all set with kitchen stuff, that’s why I get credit just for the visit. So would __________ be good or is __________ better?
The Phrase That Pays...
“Mrs. Jones. I know you’re probably really busy but I need to do ______ appointments by __________ in order to hit my goal. Is there any way you can squeeze me in on _______ or is _________ better for you?”