Call Reluctance - Just Plain Fear!

[Chazm]

Luckily I wasn't pressured into calling my F&F. But, I still let all of my F&F know exactly what business I am in, and instead of asking them for business I let them know if they ever run into a 25-40 year old, just had a baby, bought a new house and looking to start a family....etc. to give me a call, hand them my card.

To me, this narrows it down for them, instead of being too generic and sometimes they think of them self for a referral.

I also use facebook and every few days or so I be sure to let everyone know what I do and sometimes post links to insurance news and topics

 

[Labman]

Being an information provider to family and friends is much better imho than being a salesman. On a very informal basis and in a non pressured way, educate them on various matters of insurance that they will find "usefull".

Eventually they will see you as a resource and not just a salesperson, then your value will be much higher to them, hopefully leading to them becoming a client out of their own interest.

 

[Amber Scherloz]

I guess we all have such fear because we are not ready for some negative response. There is no other way to overcome it but to just be open to whatever results there maybe and just arm yourself with enough the knowledge of your product and be confident about it.

 

[superfly33]

I wouldn't Cold Call any F&F because I don't want them to feel obligated to talk and then play quoting games. Wouldn't pratice on any F&F except for the wife and what I found and heard is that F&F are the harshest judge of you. Just casually let them know what you do and the great value of the products you offer.

I feel a lot more comfortable Cold Calling strangers and praticing my pitch on them. If I mess up, ooh well, I'll probably never see or hear from them again. You'll know when your confidence is there and you actually look foward to picking up the phone.

When I started Cold Calling, I was always reluctant to dial that number. I would make up excuses and stall for time like unecessarily cleaning my desk. Just pick up the phone and dial the number without thinking and you are forced to mentally prepare when you hear that dial tone.

 

[rgrace]

I wouldn't Cold Call any F&F because I don't want them to feel obligated to talk and then play quoting games. Wouldn't pratice on any F&F except for the wife and what I found and heard is that F&F are the harshest judge of you. Just casually let them know what you do and the great value of the products you offer.

I feel a lot more comfortable Cold Calling strangers and praticing my pitch on them. If I mess up, ooh well, I'll probably never see or hear from them again. You'll know when your confidence is there and you actually look foward to picking up the phone.

When I started Cold Calling, I was always reluctant to dial that number. I would make up excuses and stall for time like unecessarily cleaning my desk. Just pick up the phone and dial the number without thinking and you are forced to mentally prepare when you hear that dial tone.

I am glad to see that I am not the only one that suffers from this. I have problems getting started. Picking up the phone for that first call is the hardest thing to do.

This lessens a little with each call, and then after the first appointment it gets a lot easier. But then the next day it is the same battle all over again.

My question is does this initial call reluctance ever go away? Or is it something you just have to learn to deal with?

 

[Frank Stastny]

I am glad to see that I am not the only one that suffers from this. I have problems getting started. Picking up the phone for that first call is the hardest thing to do.

This lessens a little with each call, and then after the first appointment it gets a lot easier. But then the next day it is the same battle all over again.

My question is does this initial call reluctance ever go away? Or is it something you just have to learn to deal with?

If one is extremely well organized, has an easy way of determining who to call and has a well rehearsed smooth conversational phone presentation there is very little call reluctance in the morning.

 

[Guest]

I am glad to see that I am not the only one that suffers from this. I have problems getting started. Picking up the phone for that first call is the hardest thing to do.

This lessens a little with each call, and then after the first appointment it gets a lot easier. But then the next day it is the same battle all over again.

My question is does this initial call reluctance ever go away? Or is it something you just have to learn to deal with?

The more confident you are, the less reluctance. If you position yourself as an expert and know that you can determine what's best for your client, educate them and guide them to making a decision, you generally should have no fear.

The main reason you would be reluctant is because you fear failure or take things personally. As in, a client tells you to go screw yourself and you act as if they actually know you well enough to make that determination. They do not. They just don't like what they think you represent at that time.

 

[VaDwayne]

I am glad to see that I am not the only one that suffers from this. I have problems getting started. Picking up the phone for that first call is the hardest thing to do.

This lessens a little with each call, and then after the first appointment it gets a lot easier. But then the next day it is the same battle all over again.

My question is does this initial call reluctance ever go away? Or is it something you just have to learn to deal with?

So far the reluctance has not gone away for me. It has become much easier, but it is still there.

When I was a member of the local rescue quad, I was certified in heavy duty rescue which means I got to go up and down cliffs, building, etc. That first step over the edge never got easier but once I was over the side and knew that the ropes would hold me, it was a piece of cake.

Cold calling feels the same way to me, but it's worth it.

 

[vanquishV12]

So far the reluctance has not gone away for me. It has become much easier, but it is still there.

When I was a member of the local rescue quad, I was certified in heavy duty rescue which means I got to go up and down cliffs, building, etc. That first step over the edge never got easier but once I was over the side and knew that the ropes would hold me, it was a piece of cake.

Cold calling feels the same way to me, but it's worth it.

Right on the money!! I'm selling cable door to door and knocked thousands of doors but still have "knock reluctance" on first couple of doors. I get jump started just by thinking about my family and that I have bills and I'm off knokin. What helped me a lot is #1) Product knowledge both my company and competitors#2) like Rob said if a person says NO dont get it personal. There are millions of people out there
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[alphawave2k]

Not sure if this is the right thread, so you sheriffs out there don't bash my head in. Any and all you pros and vets in this health care markets....how do you counter someone that's on BC/BS of any state? They always seem to be among the lowest plans. Since I'm relatively new to this industry, I would love to hear any good retorts to "lowest price" and what type of plans these guys have....been resisting getting contracted...but may have to do it.