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43 Comments on This Was a Test. Would you have passed?
I am constantly amazed at how many people either do not answer or do not know enough to call back! Maybe they do not need the money!? Anyhow I would have passed your test....or at least called you back immediately!
OK, I confess, when I see an out-of-state number, I allow it to go to voice mail even if I'm not with clients so I can first determine if the caller is yet ANOTHER solicitation. I would like to believe that the 23 agents who didn't pick up their phones were all in listing appointments or showing homes! Likely? No, but I like my dream world.
Many agents screen their calls because of telemarketers. I have not yet marketed to out of State agents.
While I think I would pass, I'd also give folks another day or so before "running the numbers" on return calls. In any day, there are calls that take priority and those that quite honestly are B & C priorities...not that they don't get returned, but a same day return call isn't likely unless I didn't have much on my agenda for the day...or nothing comes up that becomes an urgent priority. Hopefully by week's end you'll get a few more return calls! Those are the agents you want to work with anyway, not the ones who ignore your message.
Mark, it appears your calls weren't at the top of their priority list. Hopefully, you will get more answere soon.
To control my time, I let unknown area code calls go to voice mail, then listen before returning the call. Most of the time these are sales calls and no voice mails are left.
I even return sales calls when I have the time. It will keep them from repeatedly interrupting me with the redialers....and you never know the connection there.
I had breakfast the other day, actually i was the one at the table NOT eating. The other guy was an insurance salesman, okay, you see where they may be going with this right.... well,he was also a homeowner, and an HOA president.
Even silently, ABC = Always Be Closing
Mark, I have to ask... what did you say in the voicemail messages that you left? While I don't like long messages, I also don't like messages that don't provide any indication as to why the person called and they essentially state "This is Jane. Please call me at (###) ###-####"... and nothing else because about 95% of the time when I call back it's someone trying to sell me something or recruit or pick my brain (and get nothing in return).
As for not picking up the phone, I guess I'm one of those few who likes to give customers/clients I'm in front of my undivided attention. I like to make them feel important and I can't do that if I answer every call I get while I'm with them. When people I'm with answer every call they get... personally, I just think that's rude (but, hey, that's just me! To each his own.). The only time I answer the phone while I'm with a customer/client is if I truly think it's important/urgent and even then I pardon the interruption before answering (something I've noticed few people do).
I also like to control my time as best as possible and while the timing may be great for the person doing the calling, that may not be the case for the person receiving the call. They could be preparing to meet with a client/customer and don't want to run late, in one of those rare locations/stores where they can't get reception, away on vacation, or any of dozens of other great reasons which, by the way, can also include they're in the bathroom! I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and understand that they are professionals, too, who will return a call at their next available opportunity.
I'd be curious to know, now that it's the day after you left those messages, how many of the 23 who didn't answer have returned your call.
Wow! Isn't it fun to wake up and log on to find that your post has been featured? I have appointments today and I will write responses to your great comments as I get time.
Thank you everyone!
p.s. If you try to call me while I am in the above mentioned meetings, either my partner, Janice, or our office manager will answer the phone.
Ron - I love referrals too. Who do you know who...? Hahahaha!
Lisa - I run across that all the time. Too bad their clients don't test them on their phone skills regarding their listings. Maybe things would change.
Sonja - We have a large number of out of state clients so I am excited to see out of state numbers calling. One of the great things about the internet is that it knows no boundries. My blogs get alot of attention from people moving into the area.
Not returning calls is never acceptable. One of my pet pieves is with agents that don't return feedback calls/e-mails.
This is one of the most irritating sicknesses that plagues our industry. It is like such a privilege for these non-responsive agents to pick up the phone and speak to you or even their clients! Makes me sick.
My cell phone ear bud is in place so much I forget to take it off when I'm speaking in person, but I rarely miss a phone call because I don't have my phone near by. I can't afford to miss a call.
Yes, I would have definitely passed the test. I answer my phone 99% of the time. Especially, if it's a number I don't recognize on my caller ID. You never know when an interested buyer or seller is calling you.
Great job Mark for making twenty five calls. Hopefully you will get a 90 percent return on your work. What a great idea!!
OK everyone I have to confess, these weren't "cold" calls. These calls were to agents in Portland who I have met at least once over the years. I have sent referrals to many of them. I make friendly prospecting calls like this every few months or so. I never talk to the same agent more than twice a year.
Also, the only reason I ended up dialing 25 agents is because nobody answered! Usually I am only able to talk to 10 agents in a day.
As of right now, I have heard from 8 other agents.
Leanne - I don't leave the "Call me. It's important" message with these types of contacts. I don't feel it is a good way to build referral relationships with agents. We have all been victims of this trick. I leave a message that goes something like, "Hey John, it's Mark and I am just checking in to see how your business is going and to talk to you about referrals. Give me a call when you have a minute."
HI MARK! Must be a day of agents not answering their phones! I pass, but it's not a perfect pass! However, on returning phone calls - high pass rate!
Calls to me outside of my area code are usually people wanting to sell me something, so I screen those. I would have called you back if I had someone to refer.
I miss a lot of calls usually because I'm ON the phone. I would have returned your call within the day depending on the message you left. I'm getting pretty sick of the telemarketers wanting me to pay for referrals or guarantee me placement on the first page of Google.
Lori - Me too. I usually ask the guys trying to sell Google placement how they found me. Their answer? "I Googled you." Duh! Then why do I need you?
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