There was a recent thread on LinkedIn from an executive with a major manufacturer that I took exception to.
In that thread (post), the LinkedIn user was complaining because they had downloaded a white paper from a website. The user was whining because a rep from that companies website had called eight times (I’m not sure of the time frame for those calls) and then today left another message that included “I hope you can appreciate my professional persistence” blah, blah, blah. The exec then when on to state, “I know who you are, I read the white paper, I know where to find you, and I’ve seen your website.” He then stated, your calls are a “turn off.”
Wow, all of this coming from a person who works for a major copier company where most, if not all of the sales people rely on making follow up calls to end users and prospects.
After all, the LinkedIn user did enter their information to download the whitepaper; did they not think they were going to be contacted via email or phone? Nothing is FREE, the website is giving you the FREE white paper so that they can keep your data in hopes that they may be able to sell you something one day.
Personally, I take exception to people who complain about the sales call and then never do anything to communicate with the person that is trying to contact them. Maybe, just one time you pick up the phone, call the rep back or God forbid you return an email and professionally state that you are not interested at this time and will keep that company in mind when you have a need. Doing something like this, would have stopped the additional calls, and or emails. It would have taking ten seconds to communicate with that rep.
So what is the LinkedIn user to do if they don’t want a phone call or email? Of course you could put in a bogus phone number, or better yet, when it comes to entering your name try this.
First name: Don’t
Last Name: Calloremailme
I would get the hint from just seeing that, but please have a heart for the person that’s calling and pick up the phone, or email them back and tell them you’re not interested.
After 34 years of making calls I believe that there are some people that are afraid to talk with me because they are afraid I might sell them something against their will. Right, I’m going to twist your arm or not leave your office until you sign on the dotted line. Funny, very funny!
Now, if all of those calls were placed in the period of a couple of days or a week, then I’d have to agree that this would be over the top and the user has a righteous beef.
Good selling!
