Help! No One's Answering My Calls - What Should I Do?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

This thread explores the challenges faced by participants in reaching out to potential hosts and clients, particularly when calls go unanswered. Various strategies and personal experiences are shared regarding follow-up methods and the persistence required in direct sales.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration over unanswered calls and suggests mailing new catalogs as a follow-up strategy.
  • Another participant shares their experience of leaving messages that acknowledge the recipient's busyness and emphasizes the importance of persistence.
  • Several users mention varying the times and methods of contact, such as trying different phone numbers or sending emails.
  • One participant notes that calling at the same time daily may lead to missed connections and suggests changing the timing of calls.
  • Another participant reflects on their own persistence, sharing a story of eventually booking a show months after initial contact.
  • One consultant highlights the importance of follow-up after sending catalogs, suggesting that mailing should be paired with personal outreach.
  • Another participant discusses their system for tracking follow-ups, emphasizing the need for organization in maintaining contact with potential clients.
  • Some participants express a shared sentiment about the common issue of not receiving callbacks in the direct sales industry.
  • One participant mentions the importance of being proactive in follow-up and not relying on others to remember to call back.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of various follow-up methods, with no clear consensus emerging on the best approach to take when calls go unanswered.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal experiences and strategies within the context of direct sales, particularly among Pampered Chef consultants, without implying any official guidance.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants seeking to improve their outreach strategies and those facing similar challenges in client communication may find the shared experiences and suggestions relevant.

AmyP
AmyP
Messages
38
Ok so the people say call me in January to book...I call...leave messages and no one answers!!!! What should i do...My upline director said mail new catalogs to them...any other suggestions???? Thanks
 
Leave a message saying "I know you are busy, so I will try to reach you again and hopefully we can connect soon,"

Try again in a few weeks. If you never hear back and you can't get through, bless and release! Easier said than done, I know, but there is too much energy and effort expended in trying to track down those who don't make good on their promises. :)
 
Try with a different phone number, at different times of the week/day, email them..or mail a new catalog or mini catalog! Good luck :)
 
One thing that often happens is we tend to call at the same time of the day. Make sure to pick a different time in the day. You may just be missing them.....
If you still have no luck leave one more message so you are not "stalking" them and really be excited and use the approach as, "I did not want you to miss out on our exciting new Spring season. We have new catalogs that begin the Spring selling season in March with over 35 new products. I know we discussed doing a show in.... but I want to make sure you get in on the action with March. I have just a few dates left and want to make sure you are marked on one of them. Call me back with a few dates you have available and we will take it from there."
It may just be your message. If not send a mini catalog with a sticker saying..."Book in March receive a free gift!"
Good luck!
 
Personally I think the reason they say call me in January is to get you out of their hair. But little do they know that we cheffers are persistent!!! LOL!!!
Keep calling and everytime you call say "ok, I will try again on such and such a day".
 
Remember that you are planting seeds and that eventually it WILL pay off. At least one of those people you are calling will book somewhere down the line. Mentioning the new catalog and all the great new products might peak some interest as well. Good luck.
 
Good point, Bee!

I did an open house once at a women's health club. It was when I first started my biz, so I called and called and called and called those people. FINALLY, FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE OPEN HOUSE, one of them called me back and booked a show. None of the bookings from her show panned out, but I did keep in touch with a few of them and had a show for one of the guests this past November. FOUR bookings from that one. So the line of business keeps growing because I KEPT CALLING.

Persistence pays off sometimes. :)
 
I would send a mini-catalog and offer a full catalog if they contact you. Save your postage. My director suggests sending out a few mini and full catalogs and the following up with those people - SHe feels if you are just going to mail them out that your are wastig your money THE FORTUNE IS IN THE FOLLOWUP
 
Exactly Kathy. Only mail as many as you can follow up with.

I got a bunch of minis to mail to my "potential hosts." I'm sending them out ten at a time. No more. Then I can call and contact them in a reasonable time frame to make sure they recieved the catalog and see what they think.
 
THe biggest pet-peeve of mine with this biz is people not calling me back! But, I've come to realize that it's not THEIR job to remember to call me; it's my job to keep trying;)
Just stay persistent, you'll get ahold of them sometime:)
 
It is unbelievable how many direct sales people I have tried to contact and they never returned my calll
 
Kathytnt said:
It is unbelievable how many direct sales people I have tried to contact and they never returned my calll
Click to expand...

I hear you!! I bought some Tastfully Simple (or something like that). I bought from 2 different consultants and neither one ever called me after the sale. Their product is a consumable! They should definitely follow-up, don't you think?

Every time I get invited to a direct sales party I will send an email afterwards to the consultant telling them I think they did a good job then asking if they have a Pampered Chef consultant already. They may not respond because they know I'm fishing for business, but it is always nice to know a bunch of different direct sales people. You never know when it will come in handy. We can all help each other. If I hear of people needing a particular type of consultant I can pass their name along and vice versa!

Anyway...just keep trying honey! I set up a tickler file with the months of the year then cards with the numbers 1-31 for the days of the month. I keep the drawing slips and write notes on the back...when I called (day and time), what was the result (needed a call back, left a message, booked for May...whatever), then I tuck it behind the month or day of the requested follow-up. It is a system that works for me! I am not a techie and using a computer system would not work for me.

The only problem I have with it is my 3 year old likes to pretend she's me so she gets into all of my PC stuff. She will take all the drawing slips out and write on them in her little made-up writing way, then tuck them back in the wrong spot.:(
 
lacychef said:
THe biggest pet-peeve of mine with this biz is people not calling me back! But, I've come to realize that it's not THEIR job to remember to call me; it's my job to keep trying;)
Click to expand...

Exactly! This is even what I say to those customers who say they will call me back. I tell them, "oh no, it's my job to call people back. How about I try back in a month?" and they usually say yes. :)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #14
Thank you all for your suggestions! It really is frustrating for me and really upsetting because I don't want to be that annoying PC lady!! Im gonna order some mini cattys and mail them but first I am going to call them ALL today since it is Saturday and maybe they are home! I usually have called at a weeknight so maybe a new time will work! Thanks all!
 
Unless there is some pressing news, I personally don't call people back. Why should I? I had someone in a large moms group I'm in call me about Arbornne. She left a generic "give me a call" message. I felt guilty when I deleted it three days later but figured she'd give me a call back if it was urgent.
 
Everyone has great ideas on CS! I would call your local Chamber of Commerce and find out what events are coming up. Festivals and fairs are a great way to get a LARGE number of contacts fast.

Good luck.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if no one is answering my calls?

If no one is answering your calls, consider diversifying your outreach methods. Try sending a text message or an email to follow up. Additionally, you can use social media platforms to connect with potential customers or host virtual events to engage them.

How can I improve my chances of getting a response?

To improve your chances of getting a response, ensure your message is clear and concise. Personalize your communication by mentioning something specific about the person or their interests. Also, consider calling at different times of the day to find when they are most available.

Is it okay to leave a voicemail if no one answers?

Yes, leaving a voicemail can be a great way to communicate your message. Keep it brief, introduce yourself, and state the purpose of your call. Make sure to include your contact information and invite them to call you back at their convenience.

What if I feel discouraged after multiple attempts?

Feeling discouraged is normal, but it's important to stay positive. Take a break and reflect on your approach. Consider seeking feedback from peers or mentors on your outreach strategy. Remember, persistence is key in direct sales, and not every call will result in a sale.

How can I create a sense of urgency in my calls?

To create a sense of urgency, mention limited-time offers or exclusive promotions that are available for a short period. Highlight the benefits of acting quickly, such as securing a spot in a cooking class or getting a discount on a popular product. This can motivate potential customers to respond sooner.

You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar Pampered Chef Threads

Getting No Response from the Host? Here's What to Do!
  • NinaPChef
    • Pampered Chef Bookings
Replies
4
Views
1K
NinaPChef
When You Make Calls and Get a Vm Do You Leave a Full Message?
  • AMTC
    • Pampered Chef Bookings
Replies
4
Views
2K
Wildfire
Overcome Phone Nerves: Sample Scripts for January Calls
  • RossDeb2
    • Pampered Chef Bookings
Replies
6
Views
2K
cmdtrgd
Leaving Messages: How Many is Too Many?
  • ChefJen2012
    • Pampered Chef Bookings
Replies
8
Views
3K
Bren706
What to Say When You Reach Answering Machines? Tips & Tricks!
  • Hunter Mom
    • Pampered Chef Bookings
Replies
5
Views
2K
lesliec
Booking During Customer Care Calls
  • chefHLM
    • Pampered Chef Bookings
Replies
5
Views
1K
chefHLM
Organizing 100 Customer Care Calls: Tips & Ideas
  • KCPChef
    • Pampered Chef Bookings
Replies
2
Views
3K
raebates
Why won't this host return my calls or emails for her upcoming show?
  • BeckyC5830
    • Pampered Chef Bookings
Replies
4
Views
2K
Chefgirl2
How Long Between Follow up Calls?
  • KaiKendall
    • Pampered Chef Bookings
Replies
2
Views
1K
Jolie_Paradoxe
Dealing with Answering Machines: Strategies for Calling Contacts
  • dwyerkim
    • Pampered Chef Bookings
Replies
5
Views
2K
DebbieSAChef
Back
Top