[Method] Find The Business Owners Name In 10 Seconds

[netmoney1]

Ok, so I have been receiving a lot of positive feedback form this last method:

http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackhat-seo/offline-marketing/535712-feed-them-they-will-come-get-clients-walking-into-your-office-daily.html

...and many of the PM's received ask "how do you know who to send the letter to?"

So, this is what we have been doing and it works like a charm!

1. Have you assistant call all of the businesses that you have identified as a potential target. Call from a blocked number and have him or her say this:

"Hi, I am calling from (county of the business you are calling - this is for US) county and I just needed to quickly update our records to make sure we have the correct information on file for (business name). We have the main phone number as (phone number you just called), the fax number as (fax number of the business), and the website as (website address of the business). Is this all correct? Great, also who is the owner of the business?"

...that is it! The caller is baiting the person on the end of the line. Is the number correct (YES! no sh#t it was just called lol)...anyway if your caller is very friendly with a nice tone the person on the other end of the line will just go with the flow and spit the name of the owner out 9 out of 10 times! I can't stress the friendly tone enough! It works like a charm!

It is THAT simple!!!!

 

[mrsix]

Tone of voice is an art.

 

[netmoney1]

Tone of voice is an art.

It certainly is! The right tone can get the answer to any question asked

 

[TheGreyMatter]

Tone of voice is an art.

I second this. Thanks and +rep added for the great idea. It would surely help some of the guys following your previous method.

 

[netmoney1]

I second this. Thanks and +rep added for the great idea. It would surely help some of the guys following your previous method.

Thanks. Yeah it seems like others are already sending out the letters so just wanted to help them get the letters into the right hands

 

[mseostrategy]

Thanks for suggest for own business...

 

[A_Tjuh]

Nice way of social engineering

 

[netmoney1]

Thanks for suggest for own business...

Nice way of social engineering

Thanks :drinking2

 

[Jacksss]

nice... always better to have a name

 

[innovalist]

Don't those million business directory CDs have the company and owner names already - like 1000lists dot com or Experian? Maybe its waaaay faster and cheaper than hiring someone to do the detective work for you. So what if say 15-20% of the names are outdated, its still cheaper despite the 'spoilage' rate.

 

[netmoney1]

Don't those million business directory CDs have the company and owner names already - like 1000lists dot com or Experian? Maybe its waaaay faster and cheaper than hiring someone to do the detective work for you. So what if say 15-20% of the names are outdated, its still cheaper despite the 'spoilage' rate.

I found that those aren't accurate. I also know what I do and assume many other business owners do the same: I make sure I always use a different name - that way staff knows when someone calls and asks for "Mr Fake Name To Weed Out Crap Calls" they are automatically blocked by the front line.

I have found it is well worth calling in the long run

 

[ran60616]

I have answered a few calls like this when I used to work 9-5 for a small IT consulting company, and I always gave them the information because the person was so nice on the phone and gave me a reason to waste a few minutes at work as well!

 

[netmoney1]

I have answered a few calls like this when I used to work 9-5 for a small IT consulting company, and I always gave them the information because the person was so nice on the phone and gave me a reason to waste a few minutes at work as well!

Exactly. As long as the person asks nicely...works like a charm

Thanks for the input

 

[Paranoid Android]

I'd be paranoid if i get a call like that. I'd instruct my assistants never to reveal my name, im sure there would be thousands like me

 

[mayank2yk]

hmmm... quite impressing... :rofl:

 

[netmoney1]

I'd be paranoid if i get a call like that. I'd instruct my assistants never to reveal my name, im sure there would be thousands like me

Unfortunately the people in those positions are not always the brightest - and don't have the same mindset as the business owners. They think nothing of it.

But also...there will be business owners that make it wellknown that nobody is to give their name out....but then again, some don't. It is a numbers name. One that will turn up a lot of names

 

[GuinnessMan]

Eh... as well as this method may work - it's borderline if not entirely illegal. You cannot impersonate government employees. Sure you PROBABLY won't get caught but - i'm not going to risk it.

References:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/912

https://www.google.com/search?q=is+it+illegal+to+impersonate+a+county+employee

Why not just pretend you are a survey company or tell them you are building a public directory for free local business advertisement? Anything. Then let them know it will only take 30 seconds (!important).

The possible consequences are not worth it IMO. Good plan - might land you in jail and/or fined.

 

[netmoney1]

You bring up good points - but we aren't saying we are calling from the county office or even represent or work for the county.

In all theory it is someone saying they are calling from that area - no representation is made.

But I like the business directory listing company idea...may have them try that and see if the response rate drops.

It is def "grey" but blocked numbers and throw away pre-paid cell phones offer protection

 

[GuinnessMan]

You bring up good points - but we aren't saying we are calling from the county office or even represent or work for the county.

In all theory it is someone saying they are calling from that area - no representation is made.

But I like the business directory listing company idea...may have them try that and see if the response rate drops.

It is def "grey" but blocked numbers and throw away pre-paid cell phones offer protection

True. After re-reading the sample script you had above I can see that you can say you're calling from anywhere (location) as long as you're not saying you're anyone you're not (impersonation). Technically this is grey but at least you have a legitimate defense to play ignorant in case someone decides to press it.

The directory listing is good. The survey thing is good too. I used to work for a market research company and did calls from a list of numbers. Success rate is high for those because you start with - "i'm not selling anything, just asking questions" and therefor are not subject, in most cases, to even the donotcall lists.

Good post. Makes one think beyond the OP.

 

[JayBay]

Very good, have to try this out! Thanks