I Just Called To Say...

Is a sales call free speech?

At what point is calling intrusive?

And finally - is there ever a convenient time to call someone to make a sales pitch?

This week, the National Do Not Call registry topped 200 million people, or about 66% of the population.

So, I think it's safe to say that people loathe being contacted and sold to while trying to eat dinner.

Of course, tech-savvy agents know this. Time was, the only way to immediately contact people was intrusively - either knocking on their door or calling them on the phone.

But now, technology has made contacting people less intrusive. Text-messaging has surpassed phone calls on cell phones not because text-messaging is easier (although some argue it is), but because it's less intrusive.

E-mail and text messaging have made it possible to communicate and not irritate.

At DotLoop, for example, your clients can be notified via text message or e-mail that their offer has been approved or that their electronic signature is needed. It's convenient for them and it respects their time.

Besides, they may be busy trying to convince the sales guy on the other end of the line that they don't need replacement windows or vinyl siding.