When Follow-Up Becomes Harassment

Pushy people, for me, get me going.  I have been having pushy people call me about getting my real estate business listed on search engines at the top.  I politely said no thank you and the rudeness of the desperate seller came out and said, "Oh, Okay, so you DON"T want to make more money in real estate, oh I get it."  Jerk.

Margaret- That's a good example of how you can look desparate in sales.  Persistance is good, but stepping into annoyance is not.  I wonder if "Tammy" is young and hasn't been shown a proper method for listening to what her prospects are telling her and respecting what they say.  Could be she's just being directed to call, call, call. 

I have found that listening to people is the best way to become a consultant rather than a pushy salesperson.  Some people would like to receive a monthly e-Newsletter, while others have too much email already and would prefer that I call them again in 6 months.  Like you, if a salesperson doesn't listen to what I say, I don't buy from them.

I've found works for me is expressing to my clients that I understand that each client is different in the amount of contact that want or need to have with their agent.  I ask them if they want daily or weekly email updates, I ask them if they would like me to subscribe the to my monthly newsletter and I ask them up front to either call or send me an email if the information and follow up is become a little to overwhelming.  Giving them an out up front increases the chance that you won't unknowingly push them too hard and cause them to walk away.

Shame on Tami.  She switched from PULL advertising to PUSH advertising and PUSHED herself right off your list. 

Hello;

I think its tough all over. People are trying to earn a paycheck. Im not pushy and if someone doesnt fit into something, i would certainly want them to walk away...i never push...i would never want people to say i should have listened to .....

Anyway., i use top marketer and i must say i have NEVER received one lead from the market snapshot and i put it on ALL correspondance! im a little disappointed. I think its great for drip email campaigns. I really expected leads from it.

Dave Sulvetta REALTOR-Associate
Cell 856 889-8163
Century 21 Hearst
Camden County NJ Realtor, Camden County Real Estate, Gloucester County Realtor, Gloucester County Real Estate, Burlington County Real Estate

http://www.davesulvetta.com
http://www.camdencountyrealestatenews.com
email; dave@davesulvetta.com
Know YOUR Market-Market Snapshot www.davesulvetta.com/market_snap.htm

Margaret-  OMG, I sooo agree with you.  After reading your post this morning, I received an obnoxious call which prompted a post from me that refers back to your post. 

Margaret-Unfortunately this happens way too often.  I was just recently in a situation where I was in need of an easy to use a at home mail card service to send cards and "touch" my clients, family, friends and Real Estate partners...you know to follow up. So I asked a family friend, who's a longtime Realtor, if he knew of a product that fit that description.  He referred me to one of the top sales professionals in his field.  He told me, "I'm #8 in the Country I'm the best there is...I've sold this product for blah blah years and this many clients blah blah blah".  He literally talked me out of purchasing the product I really needed for my business.  He lost his commission and I ended up purchasing the product Send Out Cards from a less experienced more likable sales person.  The #1 key rule in sales is that, "...people buy from someone they like."  There's always a way around someone whose pushy!  For more information on this wonderful product... lmk "I promise to harass anyone whose interested." :-) Derrick

derrick@handhomeloans.com
http://www.handhomeloans.com

Amen!  You don't want to be one of those voices that make people cringe.

I agree.  When I tell someone to send me an email and I'll review it and pointedly tell them not to keep calling me, those people cross the line in courtesy.  I am actually quite easy to do business with.  Answer my questions, respond using the method that I prefer, and I'll gladly spend my money with you when it is time. ~ Evelyn

Just a note on TP market builder postcards... We use them and I just added more to our mail list.  It's working great for us.  Thought I'd pass that on.

Amber

Margaret~ It can be difficult sometimes to find that fine line.  BUT, if we listen to the clues and think about what the client is saying, we can actually figure it out!  If someone pressures me, I simply won't buy it from them, even if it is something I want.  I too, would just go find someone else that is less intrusive and more thoughtful. 

My husband always uses this phrase, she had you then she lost you...  This lady lost you.  I know, its hard to draw the line,  Sometimes people in my office call me a pain in the... but they laugh since my listings are the ones that are selling.

Wow- I just got slammed by justlisted .com. they wouldnt let me off the phone... And i am interested in their service, just not right now...(i kind of see what you mean now)

Hi Margaret,  I'm just getting back to AR after a great family reunion/birthday party/thanksgiving...  and found your post.  Great topic.  My 2 cents?  It's impossible to know.  I've had folks on the same follow up plans and get from one cudos and negs from the other...  so I do what feels right for me.  May not be for everyone but I'm comfortable with my "plans/campaigns". 

On other note - keep me posted on how you find the market builder.  We started market snapshot a few months ago and today I sat in on an advanced TP course.  Great stuff.  great stuff indeed!

P.S - Tim Winters - my rep never hounds me!  He's great.

Margaret, I agree 100%.  The ones that drive me nuts are the seemingly thousands of SEO companies that can put my site on the first page of Google... I have heard that "sell" so often I can do it in my sleep, and yeah, I can never get them off the phone.  Hopefully, (I know I have) we all learn how do deal with our calling better.

Margaret, You nailed it. So many times people run when you say your in real estate as any form of sales comes with that kind of stigma due in large from "sales people" like her. There is a big difference between marketing and harassment.