I defended a competitor - and I liked it!

Yeah, I know it's not quite as catchy as that Katy Perry song but it's true, today I defended a competitor of mine - and I liked it.

I'd been on a phone call with a potential client and, as is often the case, the subject turned to their current marketing efforts - what have they done previously? What's worked, what hasn't. Turned out they'd been using a Telemarketing agency - one they'd used before - but the campaign was not delivering results.

When campaigns don't work - there are ALWAYS reasons why - and whilst I was keen to explore those reasons (why make mistakes when you can learn from someone else's) - I was also keen to leap to the defense of the telemarketing agency. Why?

Because

A - slagging off your competitors is unprofessional

and

B - I know how much harder telemarketing has become recently.

And, let's face it - even those of you that run telemarketing businesses - you KNOW it has. Deep down, even if you don't want to face up to it - your job is NOT as easy as it used to be.

People are busy, people don't answer their phones as often as you'd like them to, receptionists have become more and more adept at screening calls and sending them straight to voicemail. And don't even mention GDPR.

Despite the fact that IT IS NOT ILLEGAL to cold call businesses (as long as they're not on the TPS register and haven't previously opted out of calls from you) - lots of people seem to think it is.

The harsh truth is - an average days calling 10 years ago would have resulted in approximately 20 decision maker conversations, now you're lucky if it's 5.

How can you sell to people on the phone if can't speak to them?

Yes, you can email - but again, the vast swathes of misunderstanding around email and GDPR means more people are deleting or opting out of cold emails than ever before.

So - other telemarketing agency - I fully defend you. You've worked hard. You've done all you can. It's not your fault!

The world has changed and your job is infinitely more difficult than it used to be.

So where does this leave you - the client? How the flippin' eck can you reach prospects who don't know about you yet, who won't answer your calls or respond to your emails?

The answer is literally at your fingertips - right now. Linkedin.

What? I hear you ask? It's just facebook. It's just a huge collection of CV's. Nobody generates business from Linkedin apart from recruitment companies.

They do. And I can help you achieve it. This isn't some convoluted training program where you'll have to digest algorithms or become a Linkedin master. Because we'll do all the work for you.

Linkedin - generating business - for you - whilst you do NOTHING

Now THAT's worth defending.

If you'd like to find out more - ping me a message, I'll send you some info then we can set up a call if you feel it could work for your business.

Telemarketing companies - defended!

My business - ever so softly promoted!

Dan Smith

Inspired Business Development