Overcoming Fear of Making Business Calls: Tips from Experienced Entrepreneurs

[elizabethfox]

I just started with PC in Oct, and I haven't quite become accustomed to making calls to book shows. That is the one thing, that I just can't seem to make myself do . No because I am afraid, but because I just don't know what to say. I am FINE with friends and family, but I don't know what to say to strangers whose names I got at shows. I know I need to start doing the 3-2-1 every day, because I want to do well with my business this year!!

Can anyone give me some ideas on what to say when I call someone I don't know, or even give me a "sample" of what you say to people you don't know when you call them??

Thanks,
Elizabeth :chef:

 

[BethCooks4U]

You could start by telling them where you met them and asking about the products they purchased. If you remember somthing about them it's always nice and an ice breaker.

 

[angmillar]

Hi Elizabeth,

Have you taken any of the online training course on CC? They helped me tremendously!! They will really help you know what to say.

Angie

 

[elizabethfox]

I am talking about like people you meet at shows ( vendor, bridal, etc.) who don't buy anything, but you get their names from like a drawing or something. Since they didn't buy anything, and they didn't check any of the boxes on the drawing slip....how do you start a conversation with them?? KWIM?

 

[BethCooks4U]

I am talking about like people you meet at shows ( vendor, bridal, etc.) who don't buy anything, but you get their names from like a drawing or something. Since they didn't buy anything, and they didn't check any of the boxes on the drawing slip....how do you start a conversation with them?? KWIM?

I would start by reminding them that they stopped at your booth and filled out your drawing slip and ask what it was about the booth or PC that made them stop. If you want you can tell them they won a free cooking show (you bring the ingredients for a recipe of your choosing).

 

[elizabethfox]

Hi Elizabeth,

Have you taken any of the online training course on CC? They helped me tremendously!! They will really help you know what to say.

Angie

Yes I have. But it still is hard to think of what to say to them, without sounding like a recording. I have gotten a lot of great ideas and learned quite a bit from the training courses, but the phone calling to those who don't buy anything, but whose names you got from a drawing you held at a show, is still stumping me. I just don't know how to start a conversation with them! It is not like I can start off saying, "I was calling to see how you are enjoying your new PC items...", because they didn't BUY anything yet!!

 

[Bren706]

I have not attacked these types of calls yet, but I do have a few I should make. How about thanking them for coming to "Jane's" show, and asking them if they enjoyed themselves and the recipe. Do they have any Pampered Chef products? And then add in something like, " Jane received over $100 (or whatever the free product value was) in free products that night for having her friends and family over. Does the thought of going on a shopping spree like that sound appealing to you?

 

[DebbieJ]

Ask your director and see if he/she will do a role play with you.

 

[Sallie_M]

but the phone calling to those who don't buy anything, but whose names you got from a drawing you held at a show, is still stumping me. I just don't know how to start a conversation with them! It is not like I can start off saying, "I was calling to see how you are enjoying your new PC items...", because they didn't BUY anything yet!!

How about: Introduce yourself, remind them that they stopped by your booth; yes, they won a free party.

If they do not want it, ask if they would like to be on your notification list for when we change products, or recipe of the month, or to learn what the monthly specials are.

If none of this appeals to her, ask if you may keep her info and contact her in another year (6 mos, new season) and see if anything has changed.

IF you do not want to call, one of my team members made a flier that he sent to his "non grand prize winners" that had several coupons on it: Free party, free delivery w/i a 25 mile radius of the city the event was in, free spice with a $25 order. A week after he mailed these, he called each person to follow up.

Hope this helped.