Let it Ring
by Harry Hoover
Published on this site: September 9th, 2005 - See
more articles from this month
Telemarketing has its place in the marketing arsenal. But
telespammers - like their digital counterparts in the email
marketing world - really make it tough on the legitimate follow-up
telephone call from a company with which you have a relationship.
Now, even some companies with a legitimate tie to me are
starting to abuse the privilege.
For instance, last week, I got two different calls from my
cell phone provider, Nextel. Both were callers for whom English
was probably a fourth language and they immediately were trying
to push new services on me. No "hi, how are you,"
no handshake, no kiss.
Well, I'm mad and I'm not going to take it anymore. Here
are some ways to combat telespammers.
First, put your phone number in the Do Not Call registry.
Or, instead of visiting the website, you can call 888-382-1222.
Now, for some more fun ways to get them at their own game.
They are using a script, so you can too. And, if they answer no to some of
these questions, you can sue them. Sweet!
Here's your script:
If it sounds like a foreign call ask, "Are you calling
from America?" I love this one.
"Are you calling to sell me something?" They hate
that one.
"Could you tell me your full name? And, give me your
telephone number with the area code first."
"Could you give me the name of the organization for
which you are calling?" What we're trying to get to here
is if the call is actually from let's say Nextel, or if it
is a telemarketing company working for Nextel.
"Does your company keep a list of numbers it's been
asked not to call?"
"I want my number on that list. Can you handle that
for me now?"
"Does your firm handle telemarketing for other organizations?"
If yes, "Make sure your company doesn't call me for any
other organization."
An organization called Junkbusters has a comprehensive list
of other questions you can ask.
Finally, my old friend Bill Loeffler had the best telemarketing
response I've ever seen. One day, he received a cold call
from a New York investment salesman. The guy went into his
spiel without taking a breath. Bill laid the phone down and
the guy wasted 20 minutes telling his story to no one.
Harry Hoover is managing principal of Hoover ink PR,
http://www.hoover-ink.com.
He has 26 years of experience in crafting and
delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious
businesses like Brent Dees Financial Planning, Levolor, New
World Mortgage,
North Carolina Tourism, TeamHeidi, Ty Boyd Executive Learning
Systems, VELUX, Verbatim and Wicked Choppers.
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