Comments on: Why I Ignore 89% of the people who try to contact me (but not you!)

By: Shari Voigt

Shari Voigt — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:10:01 +0000

Nobody wants to be sold to, but some people are looking to buy. When I answer the phone, I’m definitely not hoping to hear from a political candidate, a charitable organization seeking money, or any salesperson.

If I want to purchase a product I look for information online or at the store. I learn about new products and worthwhile charities primarily online and in newspapers or business magazines, and generally in the editorial sections rather than ads. That’s where you’ll find me and others like me.

Provide a compelling story on your web site. Let me see some consumer reviews of your product, service or organization. But don’t bother with phone calls or unsolicited emails. They don’t get past my radar and I have never, ever bought or donated based on an incoming phone call or an impersonal email. Recorded political calls don’t do much for me either … except make me wonder what on earth they were thinking!

By: august

august — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:33:56 +0000

Don't even read this type of emails. Straight to the trash they go. Mariella Moon I Twit I Stumble

By: LaVeda

LaVeda — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 05:51:29 +0000

If you only see me as dollars in your pocket, even if I need the product, I’ll go elsewhere to where I *am* seen as a person. And, then, I’m loyal. The bar jumps even higher for you to get my business away from the company that I have a relationship with.

By: webmann

webmann — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:21:23 +0000

I can be very frustrating when you are treating like something other than human.

But really, Have I Got A Deal For Your Owner…

When I email anyone I tend to go a little overboard and may even try to start up a conversation just so no one gets that idea I think of them as something automated.

By: Ryan Caldwell

Ryan Caldwell — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:08:39 +0000

LexG – am I one of those bloggers?

Admittedly, sometimes I just have so much going on that I treat others more poorly than they deserve. Something I need to keep in mind.

By: LexG

LexG — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 02:46:48 +0000

I’ve even had some really big bloggers react to me with a simple 1 word email …. Actually 99% of the very big bloggers that I’ve had contact with do this …

I mean , if somebody had time to send you a 1 word ‘thanks’ email when you’ve just done them a big favor, it can get annoying…

http://www.newmediatype.com – internet business blog for web entrepreneurs, small online business, web developers and serious bloggers .

By: pholpher

pholpher — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:34:09 +0000

Good point, Ryan. Most people contacting me seem to think I’m a machine too! However, this gives a lot of opportunity for those looking to actually build a relationship. I know when someone treats me like a human I need to remember them and help them.

By: thecasanovapeasant

thecasanovapeasant — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:39:05 +0000

Who doesn’t get excited about free trips to Mexico?

Oh, and I liked your post on blog formats. I wish I’d read it about 3 months ago.

By: Markus Merz

Markus Merz — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:24:59 +0000

> “my mom thinks I’m cool” isn’t really a good seller

Yes, I disagree too

> I get all excited about their ridiculous offers

Do you?

By: thecasanovapeasant

thecasanovapeasant — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:05:43 +0000

I have to disagree with Markus’s views on cold calling. Word of mouth is great, but “my mom thinks I’m cool” isn’t really a good seller. You have to start somewhere. That being said, I’m with you Ryan on the inhuman touch that most marketers have today. My ultimate enemy is telemarketers that don’t even have a person on the other end, but hit me with a recording and expect me to Press 1 when I get all excited about their ridiculous offers.

By: Markus Merz

Markus Merz — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:44:01 +0000

I can only answer by linking to my article How-To Write E-Mails That Build Your Professional Network which I think is also very true for business acquisitions. Hard selling (cold call -> contract conversion) is a bad technique and a stupid way to approach people.