Telemarketing has its place in the marketing arsenal. But telespammers - like their digital counterparts in the email marketing world - really make it tough on the legitimate follow-up telephone call from a company with which you have a relationship.
Now, even some companies with a legitimate tie to me are starting to abuse the privilege.
For instance, last week, I got two different calls from my cell phone provider, Nextel. Both were callers for whom English was probably a fourth language and they immediately were trying to push new services on me. No "hi, how are you," no handshake, no kiss.
Well, I'm mad and I'm not going to take it anymore. Here are some ways to combat telespammers.
First, put your phone number in the Do Not Call registry. Or, instead of visiting the website, you can call 888-382-1222.
Now, for some more fun ways to get them at their own game. They are using a script, so you can too. And, if they answer no to some of these questions, you can sue them. Sweet!
Here's your script:
If it sounds like a foreign call ask, "Are you calling from America?" I love this one.
"Are you calling to sell me something?" They hate that one.
"Could you tell me your full name? And, give me your telephone number with the area code first."
"Could you give me the name of the organization for which you are calling?" What we're trying to get to here is if the call is actually from let's say Nextel, or if it is a telemarketing company working for Nextel.
"Does your company keep a list of numbers it's been asked not to call?"
"I want my number on that list. Can you handle that for me now?"
"Does your firm handle telemarketing for other organizations?" If yes, "Make sure your company doesn't call me for any other organization."
An organization called Junkbusters has a comprehensive list of other questions you can ask.
Finally, my old friend Bill Loeffler had the best telemarketing response I've ever seen. One day, he received a cold call from a New York investment salesman. The guy went into his spiel without taking a breath. Bill laid the phone down and the guy wasted 20 minutes telling his story to no one.
Harry Hoover is managing principal of Hoover ink PR. He has 26 years of experience in crafting and delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious businesses like Brent Dees Financial Planning, Focus Four, Levolor, New World Mortgage, North Carolina Tourism, TeamHeidi, Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems, VELUX, Verbatim and Wicked Choppers.
I step outside my back door and look at some... Read More
People are making a fortune on pamphlets. If you go... Read More
In direct mail, the offer is the incentive or reward... Read More
Are you looking for a natural way to market your... Read More
Did something catch your eye in a direct mailing this... Read More
You want to be more flexible? You have to stretch... Read More
To be your own marketing expert you first need to... Read More
Deciding whether a particular marketing program is profitable to your... Read More
Have you ever noticed how many times it's the simplest... Read More
Once you have decided to participate in a trade show,... Read More
Jay Conrad Levinson coined the term guerrilla marketing, which I... Read More
Use a business card as a note pad for recording... Read More
We all know the saying, "Failing to plan (prepare) is... Read More
If you want your marketing to be effective, you absolutely... Read More
Trade show booths are one of the best direct contact... Read More
Business Systems that work for anyone, are a fundamental necessity... Read More
I went to a networking event the other day where... Read More
When Cable began as Community Antenna Television in 1948, all... Read More
It's no secret that using a job site sign can... Read More
The intellectual property transfer market is now estimated to be... Read More
Personal marketing makes it easier to sell, by building relationships... Read More
If you are a mobile auto detailer or mobile car... Read More
Whether you're creating a sales letter, a brochure, a newsletter,... Read More
Brochures are one of the oldest marketing weapons in the... Read More
When people think about promoting their business, the first thought... Read More
Maybe you don't want to work that hard, or maybe... Read More
With the increased challenges that all companies are faced with,... Read More
At the very heart of any successful marketing strategy is... Read More
Coming up with an idea, seizing the opportunity, and setting... Read More
You will always have more people that turn down your... Read More
"Necessity is the mother of invention!" The first time I... Read More
IntroductionMany businesses and organisations have a perception that marketing means... Read More
What You Say, Who You Say It To, How you... Read More
People attend trade shows because they are in a specific... Read More
Yesterday I was sitting on a train going into London... Read More
I've heard a lot of people lament the fact that... Read More
Volunteering your services can be an excellent way to form... Read More
Imagine having at your disposal a means to immediately inform... Read More
I enjoy cleavage as much or even more than the... Read More
Heavily branded websites like amazon.com are household names and carry... Read More
The following tips have come from a wide variety of... Read More
Creating Your Unique Selling Proposition"Don't tell them what you do.... Read More
One of the most powerful, yet over looked weapons in... Read More
Viral marketing involves the use of surf-exchanges, and if you... Read More
Starting a new online business, developing a new product, launching... Read More
Sales are down, and I need more customers now! Sound... Read More
How Toyota Captured the #1 Market Share . . .... Read More
Besides a survey, your contact list can be used to... Read More
This really and truly is the easiest (and most profitable)... Read More
Whether you market online or offline, you already know the... Read More
Marketing Marketing |
|