How to Handle the Email Blow-Off!

What’s the number one blow off prospects use these days? “Can you email that to me?”

If you think about it, that’s the perfect stall. They aren’t saying no, and it implies they might be interested . . . but face it—they rarely are.

Not only is it hard to get prospects back on the phone, when you do, you usually lead off with the ineffective opening line of: “Did you have a chance to review that email I sent you?”

And you know how that goes: “What email? Can you send it again?”

The solution? Be prepared with a good script and a good strategy.

Try this: Be prepared with an initial email template written in advance (it can be generic or it can include an initial quote of services) and have it ready to send at a moment’s notice.

And then when a prospect blows you off with, “Can you email that to me?” use the following script from my bestselling book: Power Phone Scripts:

“I’d be more than happy to do that—where would you like me to email that?” 

[Take their email down and then email them your information right now.]

“Okay, it’s on the way to you. What I’d like to do right now is take a minute to get an idea of what’s important to you, and then I can direct you to that part of the information when you get around to it.  Let me ask you:

“How do you get involved in ordering/handling/working with the XYZ?”

OR

“From a needs standpoint, how motivated is (your company/department/are you) to change/fix/replace/buy XYZ right now?”

OR

“What would you need to see in the information I just sent you for you to become seriously interested in making a change in how you’re handling XYZ now?”  

If you follow this strategy, then you’ll be ready to side step the email stall and get right back into qualifying! How great will that be? Try this technique yourself and watch as you begin qualifying real buyers, or disqualifying those who just want to get you off the phone…

And if you’d like more scripted rebuttals to this and many other objections and selling situations, then pick up a copy of my new, best-selling book on phone scripts. You’ll get over 500 word-for-word scripts, questions, and phrases to help you open and close more sales starting today!


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If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated

How to Handle, “I Want to Think About It.”

Ah, the amorphous, “I want to think about it . . .”

At first glance, this seems hard to handle because it’s not really an objection, rather, it seems more like a stall. Because of this, it fools many sales reps who think that perhaps after a week or two the prospect might actually buy. But they rarely do.

Make no mistake: this is almost always a “no” disguised as a “maybe.” What you need to do is find out what’s behind this objection and whether or not you can compete with what the real objection is.

Here’s what to say:

“Just out of curiosity, how many other offers are you going to be comparing my offer with?”

[“I want to think about it” means they most likely have a better offer somewhere else. You’d better find out what it is.]

OR

“Are you going to be thinking about the price or the (service, offer, product) that I’m offering?”

[Listen here to what they’re really going to think about.]

OR

“To be honest, whenever I say I’m going to think about something, it usually means I’ve already made a decision to go with another option. Be honest with me, is that what’s happening here?”

[If it is, try to get them to elaborate and compare that other offer to yours.]

Questioning this objection is much better than saying, “Okay, when should I call you back,” which is what most sales reps say.

Like my suggestions from the last two weeks, try this the next time you get this objection, and see if you can have an open, honest discussion with your prospect. That’s the only way to win a sale.

If you’ve found these rebuttals helpful, why not invest in a book of hundreds of other proven responses to the objection you or your team faces every day? Click here and get better tomorrow!


Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?


ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated

How to Handle, “Your Price is Too High”

Based on how successful my last blog was on handling the objection: “We’ve Already Got a Vendor for That,” I thought I’d give you another proven response to help you overcome the objections and resistance you get daily. In this case, “Your Price is Too High.”

The reason this is such a common objection is because your prospects have figured out it’s the best way to get sales reps to drop their price! And most do!

Top performing reps, however, know better . . .

They know the “Price is too high” objection is just another smokescreen. And they handle it using any of the following scripted techniques:

“Compared to what?”

[Listen here! Don’t rush in to answer…]

OR

“Besides price, what’s important to you?”

[My personal favorite]

And the old Stan Billue technique that takes courage, patience, and finesse to use (but it’s SO effective—and fun to use!):

“Oh?”

[Then remain completely quiet and let your prospect tell you what the REAL objection is!]

Once again, the price objection/smokescreen is just that: a smokescreen hiding the real objection. Unless you question it and get clarification, your only fallback is to lower your price! And that rarely gets you anywhere.

Try these the next time you get this objection and watch your sales and conversion rate soar!

If you’d like 10 more, proven responses to this objection, click here and invest a few bucks in yourself.


Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?


ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated

How to Handle, “We’re Already Working with Someone.”

I don’t know why sales reps still have trouble handing this typical blow off. They know it’s coming; they get it daily or weekly, yet many still struggle to handle it effectively. . . .

The way to not only handle it, but to overcome it is to be prepared in advance with a proven, scripted approach. Like this:

“I’m sure you do, and that’s why I’m calling you today. I know it makes sense to have several vendors you can check pricing and availability with, and having another supplier in your back pocket is only going to help you, right?”

[Get buy in here before you continue . . .]

“So let me email you some information so you’ll have it in case you need it. What’s a good email address to send this to?”

[Now take it down, and then move into qualifying!]

“Just so I’m prepared in case you do need another option, what kind of . . . “

Now ask questions, try to engage, and take your prospect as far as they’ll let you!

You see, the value of having a proven response in your back pocket is that it allows you to move past a prospect’s initial resistance. That’s what most blow offs are!

The next time you get this objection, use the script above and watch how much more effective you become as a sales rep.

If you’d like ten more proven responses to this blow off and hundreds of more scripts, click here.


Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?


ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated

Sales Lessons from Google Fiber

A few months ago, both AT&T, and then Google Fiber, dug up our street and lawns and bushes to install fiber Internet cable. AT&T then sent a letter announcing superfast speeds and made an offer for first time subscribers.

And then nothing from them.

Google Fiber did things differently. They also sent out a letter announcing their superfast service, and then two weeks later, they sent out another. And then another.

Three months later, they sent yet out another promotion, this time including coupons for free upgrades and equipment. Then they sent out another one, this time in a neat, glossy package.

Then a Google rep showed up out of the blue, canvassing the neighborhood. I wasn’t home, but he pitched my wife and said he’d come back.

Then Google REALLY started marketing! They sent a whole new promotion with even more coupons and free upgrades. Then they sent three more!

Then they showed up because my neighbor switched to them. I spoke to my neighbor, and they were really happy with the faster Internet.

Finally, I called Google Fiber and the next week they came out and ran cable to the side of my house where my existing Internet enters the home.

I’m now waiting for a tech to come and bring that cable into my house to take advantage of their superfast Internet speeds.

What does this teach us as sales reps? One touch isn’t enough. One voice mail isn’t enough. One email (even if you’ve spoken to someone), isn’t enough.

It takes persistence, a proven sales cadence, and many calls to finally persuade a qualified buyer to buy from you.

This week ask yourself: Are you following AT&T’s marketing efforts? Or Google Fibers?


Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?


ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated

Don’t Be Afraid to Call Back Sooner!

Happy Halloween, everyone!

If you want more “treats” than “tricks” when dealing with prospects, then be bold and call back sooner than you are now.

I don’t know why sales reps always default to: “I’ll call you again in a month…” Or 60 days or 90 days, etc, but why would you want to miss all the sales this prospect will place in the meantime?

The smart thing to do is to get a specific idea of when your prospects buy and even ask them when their buying schedule is. Try:

“How often do you find yourself needing these?”

OR

“I’m happy to call you back at the end of this week—do you think you’ll have some clarity over your needs by then?”

OR

“I don’t want to bug you, but I do want to be there for you, so would it be best to call you in a week or would two be better?”

OR

“When would be the best time for me to follow up with you?” (And then call them two weeks before whatever date they give you!)

The bottom line is that most sales reps simply don’t have any idea of when they should follow up—because they never ask!

The next time you have someone on the phone, don’t assume a month or two or three is the best time to follow up. Ask them and follow up sooner than are now!


Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?


ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated

Seriously, This Is How You Leave a Voicemail?

Actual voicemails I’ve been receiving lately:

“Hi Mike, this is Megan. Can you call me back at (phone number)? Thanks!”

And what do I do with these voicemails?

Delete.

This is one of the oldest poor sales techniques in the world, and it just SCREAMS: I’m cold calling and trying to trick you into calling me back!

Doesn’t work.

Here’s what’s better:

First, you have to let the caller know what company you’re calling from and the reason for the call. We’re all too busy to call people back for no reason, and too many of us have called back just to be pitched (poorly, too) by an unprepared sales people.

Use this sample as a template and adjust to your product or service:

“Hi, this is _______ _________ with XYZ company. I’m calling about how you handle your (product/service/process) and have some options to save you (time/money/etc.). When you get a second, give me a quick call back, and I promise I’ll be brief. If we can help you, great, if not, I won’t waste your time. My call back number is (leave number SLOWLY AND REPEAT). Once again, this is (repeat your name), and I look forward to hearing back from you. Thanks!”

Obviously, if you have their email address, you should also email as part of your prospecting cadence. A great subject line would be: “{first name}, just left you a VM.”

Change the above voicemail and adapt it anyway you want; just make sure and script it out and say it confidently & sincerely. You’ll get more call backs this way than by trying to trick people!


Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?


ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated

How to Establish Rapport In 15 Seconds

Establishing rapport with a prospect in the very beginning is perhaps the most important first step to earning the right to have a conversation that might eventually lead to a sale. Get it wrong, and that could mean the end of your call—and your chance to make a sale.

Given how important this step is, it’s sad to hear so many sales people get it wrong: They either rush into their pitch; talk over prospects; or use other ineffective techniques.

Here’s what not to do:

  1. DON’T open your conversation with, “How are you?”—if you haven’t even introduced yourself! This is a common (and annoying error).
  2. If your prospect asks you how you are (after you ask them), DON’T just say, “fine” or “good” and then launch into your pitch.
  3. In fact, DON’T launch into your pitch at all! Instead, see below what to do . . .

What you should do:

  1. Introduce yourself, “Hi, {prospect’s first name}, this is _____ ______ with  ________, how are you doing today?” THEN: Wait for them to respond! If they ask you how you’re doing, respond with, “I’m doing well today, thanks for asking.”
  2. If, after you ask how they’re doing, you hear annoyance in their voice, then always start what you’re going to say next with, “Briefly . . .” You MUST let them know that YOU know they are in a hurry or not happy to receive a sales call. Then…
  3. BE BRIEF! Let them know why you’re calling (in a sentence or two—MAX), and get to a question and let them interact: “Question for you: How do you (or your company) get involved in that?” (Customize this to what you’re selling, i.e., “Use that,” etc.)

If you follow this simple formula, you’ll earn the right to have a conversation, because you won’t sound like all the other salesy people calling and annoying your prospect.  

Try it and see for yourself!


Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?


ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated

The Simplest Way to Qualify

Problem: Salespeople talk too much when they finally get a prospect on the phone.

They pitch features and benefits instead of asking questions and qualifying.

They talk over their prospects and generally learn very little about what it takes to close a sale.

Result? They may get some leads out and set up some “demos or presentations,” but because they didn’t discover whether a prospect was truly a buyer and in the market at that time, their close rate is a disappointing 2 sales out of 10 full presentations….

Compare that with your own close rate or your team’s closing percentages.

Solution: Ask questions and listen more.

This may sound easy, but if you’ve listened to any of your rep’s calls (or your own), then you know how hard it is.

Here is the simplest way to do it. Adopt the word “Oh?” into your qualifying pitch and find your MUTE button.

It goes like this: Ask a qualifying question, then hit MUTE and listen.

If you get an answer that doesn’t really tell you anything, or if you feel a prospect is trying to hide the real answer, simply unmute yourself and say, “Oh?” with your voice lifting up at the end of the word. Like you’re really curious.

Then hit MUTE again and listen as your prospect reveals more. Much more.

Don’t be fooled by this. It may seem simple, but it’s hard to do. However, when you do it, you’ll move into the rarefied air of top closers. You’ll discover hidden buying motives—and you’ll discover real objections.

In short, you’ll begin to tell the buyers from the non-buyers, and that is the start of closing more sales and making more money.

Try it today.


Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?


ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated

Second Quick Fix to Get Your VMs Returned

To follow up on the blog post from two weeks ago (about the one quick fix to get your VMs returned), here is the second quick fix:

Stop trying to trick your prospect!

Everyone knows that a partial message like:

“Hey _______, this is Mike. Call me back as soon as you can…” just reeks of a tricky salesperson calling.

I ALWAYS delete these messages the moment I hear them. So do your prospects.

The proven formula is simple:

Leave your name, company name, and a brief reason you’re calling (especially one that includes a benefit for your prospect), and then leave your phone number SLOWLY and twice.

There are other proven techniques, too, like requesting some help—and promising you’ll be quick and won’t waste their time—but I’ve already written about those. (Search my blog if you missed them.)

Bottom line: Stop trying to be tricky, and stop sounding like a desperate sales rep. Your prospects can see through you and your message will be deleted quickly. Believe me.


Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?


ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated