1. I can’t understand you.
– You talk too fast.
– You talk too soft.
– You mumble.
– There’s road noise or other interference.
2. You sound bored.
Powering your way through a long list of calls? It shows. And I don’t care. If you can’t muster the energy to sound like you really want to talk to me, then I don’t want to talk to you. In fact, I didn’t even listen to your entire message.
3. You’re a name-dropper.
Telling me my boss or some other influential member of my company suggested you call me is a sure way to earn a delete vs. a call-back. Anyone who feels I should speak with you will forward your contact information to me. Name-dropping is a desperate ploy by an unprepared caller.
4. You haven’t done your homework.
Show me you really want my business by doing a little background work. Don’t pronounce my name correctly? No call back. Don’t demonstrate that you understand my business? Forget it.
5. You have nothing of value to offer.
If you want me to call you back, you have to communicate why it’s worth my time to do so. Calling to “check in”, “touch base” or “chat” wastes my time and yours. Show me what I stand to gain by speaking with you and I’ll pick up the phone.
scottvoland.com 