PHONE TIPS FOR MARKETING PROS

THE RIGHT HELLO: Crafting Your Business Voice 

Experience dictates the golden rule of business impression building is to “make every dialogue count”.  Old school tradition dictates that speaking to prospects or clients must always be done with confidence and emit presence that commands respect.  From appointment setting, telemarketing to closings, the energy behind your VOICE is everything that reflects the business you represent.  Moreover, in today’s un-social world of non-auditory communication (text, emails etc), call receivers are that much more defensive and quick to dismiss undesired calls that waste precious time and valuable resources.  It is for this reason that you need to be that much sharper with your phone presence to win results and to avoid being dismissed.

THE PHONE VOICE: by Grace Dellavalle

A phone voice is everything from the tone that you chose, to the vocabulary level you wish to apply- right down to the level of appeal and magnetism you exude. In the average business call, you have only these tools to steer the conversation.  You are blind of visual cues like body language to capture their attention nor any way of knowing if this is even the right time to call.  It is for this reason that you need to empower yourself with advanced phone skills to win the chance to make things happen.

TIPS FOR PHONE CONFERENCES:

• Have a professional quality phone system (sound quality is everything)
• NEVER use cell phones for presentations, introductions or closings
• Never interrupt them mid-sentence (it’s rude)
• Maintain a tone of professional strength and integrity
• Suggestion: self audit by recording your conversations- be your worst critic
• Believe in your product 100% if you want others to believe in your business
• Be yourself- just POLISHED! Remove the “ums” and all the imperfections that can be misread as a sign of weakness
• Be concise: use less words that mean more!
• Use proper grammar: this will command respect
• Candor: use a very small and controlled amount of personal chatter to warm the dialogue, but stay on point with business.

Stay away from the terrible TOO’s-

• Avoid sounding too eager, chummy or charming (people are sick of that)
• Know when you’re talking too fast (a sign of nervousness)
• Don’t sound too desperate (sure way of losing a sale)

Text book theory tip #1:

• Always end in a question. This ensures that its their turn to speak- while steering them toward a certain direction.