Overcoming Anxiety of Making Customer Care Calls

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around participants sharing their experiences and feelings related to making customer care calls, particularly the anxiety and procrastination that often accompany these tasks. Many express their struggles with timing, fear of negative responses, and the challenges of maintaining motivation.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions feeling anxious about making calls, worrying that they might be interrupting people during bad hours.
  • Another participant shares a negative experience of being yelled at during a call, which has made them hesitant to call again.
  • Several users express frustration over calling numbers that turn out to be work phones, leading to missed opportunities for follow-up.
  • One participant discusses their struggle with motivation, especially when calls do not yield positive results.
  • Another participant notes a personal challenge of aiming for 100 "no's" as a way to overcome fear, although they feel it may not be well-received by contacts.
  • One participant expresses discomfort with calling people who previously did not respond, feeling it may come off as manipulative.
  • Several participants mention the idea of accountability and supporting each other in making calls.
  • One participant shares a concern about a host not delivering products, complicating their follow-up calls.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best approach to making calls and how to handle negative responses. Some participants find value in the idea of aiming for "no's," while others are skeptical about its effectiveness or appropriateness.

Contextual Notes

Participants are primarily discussing their personal experiences as consultants in the context of making customer care calls, with a focus on the emotional and practical challenges they face.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to consultants who experience similar anxieties about making customer care calls and are looking for shared experiences and strategies from peers.

D
dkitten13
Messages
498
Ugh, I've been putting off calls for hours! Just can't get it in my head that its not a bad time for people! Why am I sabotaging myself! Would people get mad if I call at a bad hour or merely skip the call or say they are busy if I give them the out? I work 9-5 so I always feel like when I'm available its a bad time.

I need to succeed and I need to make customer care calls and look for bookings and yet I just stare at my phone...ugh!
 
Re: Procrastinating!!!Are you my long lost twin?! I'm the same way... I don't work during the day, but I still feel that way.! The few times I was brave enough to pick up the phone during the DAY I was apparently calling their cell phones (I didn't know since they wrote them as their 'home' number) and they were at work- so they basically yelled at ME! (Why did they answer??) And these were people who WANTED me to call them!!So now I'm scared to pick up the phone for fear of getting yelled at again.
 
Re: Procrastinating!!!Omg, that's been happening to me today! I was hoping they'd be home numbers and I called around 12:30pm hoping to leave messages (I HATE the phone so I figure that's better than nothing as I get used to making calls) but 2 people said "I'm at work, can I call you back?" and then didn't get my number. Gee, guess who isn't calling back?! One did say call her back this evening. As if calling wasn't hard enough for me (I make my husband order pizza...) the only calls I managed to make today were negative! I really really really want to be consistent in making morning after and customer care calls but I'm seriously lacking the motivation when they're gaining me NOTHING.

We should figure something out to keep each other accountable...even knowing my director's gonna ask me how my booking blitz went today (why did I promise her?!?!) I'm dragging my feet!
 
Re: Procrastinating!!!
mrshamel3808 said:
Omg, that's been happening to me today! I was hoping they'd be home numbers and I called around 12:30pm hoping to leave messages (I HATE the phone so I figure that's better than nothing as I get used to making calls) but 2 people said "I'm at work, can I call you back?" and then didn't get my number. Gee, guess who isn't calling back?! One did say call her back this evening. As if calling wasn't hard enough for me (I make my husband order pizza...) the only calls I managed to make today were negative! I really really really want to be consistent in making morning after and customer care calls but I'm seriously lacking the motivation when they're gaining me NOTHING.

We should figure something out to keep each other accountable...even knowing my director's gonna ask me how my booking blitz went today (why did I promise her?!?!) I'm dragging my feet!
Click to expand...


Least they didn't take your head off! :D They gave you permission to call them back- so look at that as your opening.
 
Re: Procrastinating!!!Start looking at those NO's as a good thing!

Every NO gets you closer to YES!
 

Attachments

Re: Procrastinating!!!The no's don't scare me, it's the mean people! *hehe*
 
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Re: Procrastinating!!!Yes, I actually am challenging myself to my 100 nos...but you have to call to get them! I'll try tomorrow at work at lunchtime, several of the people I have to call are stay at home moms so I think the timings better as to not interrupt when daddy gets home or bedtime. I also seem to be a little more motivating while working my "regular" job. I like the idea of being accountable, too but my Director didn't like the 100 nos challenge so I am sort of doing it myself. Might be extra hard since my business is new, I don't have that many people to call!
 
Re: Procrastinating!!!Same here, I have my initial list of 100 but I just don't feel comfortable (not because I don't like the phone, but as a way of doing business) calling people that I contact in the beginning when I started my business and they didn't respond. It doesn't help that I'm sick today too, and my nose has gradually stuffed up as the day goes by. So I don't think I can call anyone tonight. So I sent e-mails personally to each of the about 8 people I had tell me they were possibly or definitely interested in doing shows and have heard back from one that she will look at her calendar.

I'm sorta intrigued by the idea of 100 no's but it seems so cheesy. I mean, seriously? Telling them when you call, "I'm trying for 100 no's", they KNOW that's not really the goal of your calling! My contacts aren't stupid...I'm not sure they'd find it cute and clever or just like a way of manipulating them into talking to me.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Re: Procrastinating!!!I wouldn't tell them it was part of the 100 nos, maybe mention a positive challenge or not mention anything at all. I made some out of box calls and called all the orders on a book fundraiser but now that I'm really looking for business I'm sort of gun shy now...can anyone say fear of failure????
 
Re: Procrastinating!!!I started making out of the box calls this morning and the one thing I was worried about for them came true, my host hasn't delivered the products yet!! I know she was in the process of moving (her family was living with her parents) so it's been super hectic but I was hoping she'd have gotten them to her guests. I don't know what to do now.
 
Re: Procrastinating!!!
mrshamel3808 said:
I started making out of the box calls this morning and the one thing I was worried about for them came true, my host hasn't delivered the products yet!! I know she was in the process of moving (her family was living with her parents) so it's been super hectic but I was hoping she'd have gotten them to her guests. I don't know what to do now.
Click to expand...

Call the host and do HER 'out of box call' and see how her move is going and take it from there. Make it out as if you are calling her first and that you are going to be following up with guests this week to make sure everyone was happy.

That's what I'd do.
 
Re: Procrastinating!!!Yeah, actually I do need to call her cuz she called me about exchanging something she got. I almost forgot! (She called and left a message and then I left her a message and she hasn't called me back). I'll do that tomorrow if I can breathe through my nose! lol
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective strategies to overcome anxiety before making customer care calls?

To overcome anxiety before making customer care calls, try preparing a script or key points to guide your conversation. Practice your calls with a friend or family member to build confidence. Additionally, deep breathing exercises or positive affirmations can help calm your nerves before dialing.

How can I shift my mindset to view customer care calls more positively?

Shift your mindset by focusing on the value you provide to your customers. Remind yourself that these calls are opportunities to build relationships and help others. Visualize a successful conversation and consider the positive outcomes that can arise from your interactions.

What should I do if I feel overwhelmed during a call?

If you feel overwhelmed during a call, take a moment to pause and breathe. It's perfectly acceptable to ask for a moment to gather your thoughts. You can also prepare a list of common phrases or questions to help guide the conversation and keep you on track.

How can I prepare for difficult conversations with customers?

To prepare for difficult conversations, anticipate potential questions or objections from customers and plan your responses. Role-playing with a colleague can also help you practice handling tough situations. Remember to listen actively and empathize with the customer's concerns during the call.

What resources are available to help me improve my customer care call skills?

Many resources can help improve your customer care call skills, including online training courses, webinars, and books focused on communication and sales techniques. Additionally, consider joining a support group or community of fellow direct sellers where you can share experiences and tips.

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