I Just Can't Get By The Receptionist.
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milans
Regular Member
- Mar 26, 2011
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Ask if the receptionist can help you get him on the phone. The key word here is 'help', this way she'll put you through faster.
Also call with a smile and tell her that you have some customers for the doctor when she asks. Or tell her it's about scheduling some appointments but that you'd have to speak the doctor in person about this if she doesn't mind.
Also call with a smile and tell her that you have some customers for the doctor when she asks. Or tell her it's about scheduling some appointments but that you'd have to speak the doctor in person about this if she doesn't mind.
- Aug 8, 2009
- 140
- 12
Anything of 'legal' substance is always a hot button item with almost every physician. If you can find some way to spin your pitch that it gets their attention based on something that sounds legal, you may get a real conversation.
D
Deleted member 5340
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Find out more about him. I.E.... where he hangs out off the clock and get a face to face there. Or better yet, find out his schedule and catch him coming or going from the office. Some people leave compelling notes on cars!
efwebs
Regular Member
- Aug 9, 2010
- 421
- 138
Maybe try mailing something, like a letter with some graphs or screenshots of google showing what you are offering, and some specifics to their company. If it's just technical enough that the gate keeper isn't sure if it's junk, they might pass it on.
If you don't have anything impressive to offer, then the gate keeper is doing their job and you need a new business plan.
If you don't have anything impressive to offer, then the gate keeper is doing their job and you need a new business plan.
flexpaydude
Elite Member
- May 30, 2009
- 2,402
- 766
google: cold calling is a waste of time
it's a very interesting read and provides some great tips on generating warm prospects that call you...
it's a very interesting read and provides some great tips on generating warm prospects that call you...
Kickflip
BANNED
- Jan 29, 2010
- 2,038
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If that worked, it is only because the receptionist was a fool. Sounds like the worst sales pitch ever and I was only a receptionist for 1 year.
I don't know if anyone else here has ever been a receptionist, but I have (I am a guy) and nobody got past me. I really don't care what your story is. Unless I know you personally, you can leave a message.
Any good receptionist knows how to block any salesman. There is absolutely no reason that someone legitimate can't leave a message and be called right back and leave their phone number.
A receptionist can lose their job by interrupting someone who is busy and it end up being a sales pitch call.
Here is a real tip: Show up to the office with, or have someone courier, a written pitch that is professionally typed up, and has a short and sweet sales pitch. Let them know the very basics, and end with a line that says "You can call me on my personal line if you just want to learn a little more about how I may be able to help you".
Kickflip
BANNED
- Jan 29, 2010
- 2,038
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Most people will hang up instantly out of fear thinking that by hanging up they can just ignore it and it will go away. The longer they stay on the phone, the more responsibility they carry for what happens next, and people are naturally afraid of responsibility.
flexpaydude
Elite Member
- May 30, 2009
- 2,402
- 766
You rarely will get through to the actual dentist.
Any office that is worth its salt has a Dental Office Manager on staff that handles this kind of stuff. You're missing the boat if you're trying to go straight to the dentist.
Find an angle to get through to the Dental Office Manager. They'll screen things like this for the dentist, and it'll be easier to get through to them as they're not buried in someone's mouth 6 hours a day.
Trust me, this is much more important to you than it is to the dentist or the dental office manager......at least initially, until they have the facts.
Also, maybe you shouldn't sell the specific product/service (lead generating website and monthly support) up front. It doesn't mean sh*t to them right now. Sell the benefit (increased revenue w/ low investment, or generate 10 new customers per month, or position other ideas such as increased office efficiency, or maximize your advertising dollars, or why phonebooks don't work, etc) something they can wrap their heads around. Of course, I know you can't promise actual numbers, but that's these are the benefits they're looking for. They're sick of getting pitched websites.
You need a different angle, and you need to get to the right person.
Any office that is worth its salt has a Dental Office Manager on staff that handles this kind of stuff. You're missing the boat if you're trying to go straight to the dentist.
Find an angle to get through to the Dental Office Manager. They'll screen things like this for the dentist, and it'll be easier to get through to them as they're not buried in someone's mouth 6 hours a day.
Trust me, this is much more important to you than it is to the dentist or the dental office manager......at least initially, until they have the facts.
Also, maybe you shouldn't sell the specific product/service (lead generating website and monthly support) up front. It doesn't mean sh*t to them right now. Sell the benefit (increased revenue w/ low investment, or generate 10 new customers per month, or position other ideas such as increased office efficiency, or maximize your advertising dollars, or why phonebooks don't work, etc) something they can wrap their heads around. Of course, I know you can't promise actual numbers, but that's these are the benefits they're looking for. They're sick of getting pitched websites.
You need a different angle, and you need to get to the right person.
Try calling outside of normal working hours e.g: 9-5 or 9-4
Most Managers & Business Owners, which is what Private Dentists & Doctors are, will work all hours even late into the night or before they officially open.
The Receptionist is only ever there during their contracted hours!
It'll also give the impression to them that you're working long hours just like them. Which may impress them and you know what they say about 1st impressions...
HTH
Most Managers & Business Owners, which is what Private Dentists & Doctors are, will work all hours even late into the night or before they officially open.
The Receptionist is only ever there during their contracted hours!
It'll also give the impression to them that you're working long hours just like them. Which may impress them and you know what they say about 1st impressions...
HTH
mil0x
Power Member
- May 27, 2008
- 671
- 649
Well.. its not really that strange you can't get through is it? The Doc/Dentist is WORKING when he's at work. Perhaps you could try other fields like lawyers etc. Try an unusual pitch as they've probably heard it all already. Start with 'Hey listen [insert their name], could you help me with something? It'll only take a minute', then start the pitch. You have to give them the idea you're helping them grow their business where as most cold callers I've usually heard sound like they're selling you some crap right off the bat. GL
tacopalypse
Senior Member
- Nov 30, 2009
- 935
- 2,533
say you're a paramedic and the dentist's wife was just in a car accident.
then when he gets on the phone, say you were just kidding and deliver your sales pitch.
sure you'll piss off a few dentists, but that's balanced out by the fact that you'll get past the receptionist pretty much 100% of the time.
then when he gets on the phone, say you were just kidding and deliver your sales pitch.
sure you'll piss off a few dentists, but that's balanced out by the fact that you'll get past the receptionist pretty much 100% of the time.
Well I find it pretty, easy used to call over 100 dentists a day and got through almost all.
This is what you do, don't ask to speak to the dentist. Ask for the dentist by name, as if there expecting your call, it's all in your tone. IF the receptionist is unconvinced the dentist is expecting your call, and asks you why your calling, tell them your a local advertising firm and that you want a dentist to fill that spot, think they will be a good fit, use urgency, let them know that you are calling other dentists near them, name the competition in area and let them know you will be calling them. Once you get to the dentist, if they decide they don't want to use your services, tell them you will offer it to their competition and do it.
this is a mess, I'm tired make of it what you can.
This is what you do, don't ask to speak to the dentist. Ask for the dentist by name, as if there expecting your call, it's all in your tone. IF the receptionist is unconvinced the dentist is expecting your call, and asks you why your calling, tell them your a local advertising firm and that you want a dentist to fill that spot, think they will be a good fit, use urgency, let them know that you are calling other dentists near them, name the competition in area and let them know you will be calling them. Once you get to the dentist, if they decide they don't want to use your services, tell them you will offer it to their competition and do it.
this is a mess, I'm tired make of it what you can.
Gray Marble
Newbie
- Feb 2, 2011
- 17
- 18
if its not too much of an investment, send a pizza over for the office or spin the golf club pitch into a free lunch drawing for every office that signs up but you have to speak with him. I have yet to do it , but like someone else said.. catching him at the local deli, heck buy his sandwich and pitch him then, what is it $5. Someone else on a similar topic offered advice of telling the receptionist that she basically should let you speak with him because your gonna make him more money, so if the dr./dentist makes more money, she can get that raise easier..he said it much better but you get the point.
dextor1372
Regular Member
- Oct 4, 2008
- 273
- 277
its really nice to see "The Dark One's" offline / online hybrid method being put into practice !
well done !
I've been doing this since I first read the method and it makes a killing !
wokaka
Senior Member
- Apr 1, 2010
- 995
- 269
where do you live? cant believe that kind of shitty marketing still works nowadays..every time i have to rake in new client,i always have to "share profit" with someone who is close to the decision maker of that client company. Can't do it by ringing an official number
randomwoman
Newbie
- Dec 9, 2008
- 39
- 3
I'm sure the OP has probably figured something out or moved on by now but on the off chance someone is reading this thread for a solution to a similar problem I also recommend focusing on talking to the office manager.
When I still worked 9-5 in a medical office the doctor NEVER wanted to talk to ANYONE on the phone who wasn't related to him. The office manager was the gatekeeper and was responsible for handling every sales person who came by or called in. Focus on getting through to the manager and be so convincing that he/she will feel obligated to pass on the message to the doctor for fear of getting in trouble if a rumor gets started they aren't passing on messages or information.
When I still worked 9-5 in a medical office the doctor NEVER wanted to talk to ANYONE on the phone who wasn't related to him. The office manager was the gatekeeper and was responsible for handling every sales person who came by or called in. Focus on getting through to the manager and be so convincing that he/she will feel obligated to pass on the message to the doctor for fear of getting in trouble if a rumor gets started they aren't passing on messages or information.