"Let me know" (I hate this phrase)

[2112Greg]

I've transitioned my business, for the most part, from in-person meetings (which I still enjoy, but do less of) to a lot of email correspondence.

There's GOT to be a better way to get a response to questions than just saying 'let me know.' I will use the phrase 'looking for feedback' or 'what are your observations' a lot, but was looking for that magic (and ever-elusive) phrase which will prompt a response. Any good, catchy ways to phrase these types of questions when using email?

And another thing I've noticed is that doing EVERYTHING electronically, clients will often take their time in filling out the applications. When I meet them in person, I lean towards just doing a paper app and filing it with the carrier myself. Sometimes it's a challenge getting them to do it in a timely manner - and that's another reason why I like in-person appointments.

Any ideas here?

 

[faxoflife]

Please advise.
Wab, wab, wab, please advise.
Please advise, wab, wab, wab.

I think "please advise" is a little more formal and may convey a sense of urgency to respond.

 

[2112Greg]

Yea, good suggestion. I had almost forgotten about that little nugget...

Please advise...

It has a greater sense of urgency that 'let me know' doesn't. And communicating by email mostly, it's hard to create that.

Good one, thanks...

 

[Bob_The_Insurance_Guy]

I, too, do more e-mails than personal visits, and here's what I convey:

Attached is the proposal for your consideration, along with the Schedule of Benefits for the plan I am recommending.

The proposal is valid for 30 days. This does not mean that you can contact me in 30 days, fill out the application, turn it in, and expect to get the quoted rate. With the medical underwriting process lasting 2 to 3 weeks, that shortens the time we have to complete the application, and get it in the hands of the underwriting department.

If this does not gel with your schedule, I have no problem updating the proposal on the xxth of next month.

I do thank you for your valuable time, and the opportunity to earn your business. I will contact you Friday, as a follow up. Should you need more information prior to my call, don't hesitate to contact me.

Take care,

Bob Levine
[email protected]
[email protected]
default.aspx

NEXT!

 

[djs]

With whatever your typing, simple leave off the 'Let me know' portion. Lets see it in action

Let me know if your interested and we'll fill out the application.
becomes
If your interested, we'll fill out the application.

'Let me know' is almost always superflouos, flowery prose to add word count to papers.

Of course, if you want to get into more positive marketing, you could twist the above statement to something like:

I know with these great options and rates designed to fit your budget, you'll be interested in filling out the application as soon as possible. When is a good time to work on this?

Let me know if this works out better for you

Dan

 

[HomeService]

E-mail selling? Let me know how this works out for you.

 

[Bob_The_Insurance_Guy]

Not "e-mail selling", rather selling using e-mails, phone calls and Webex conferencing. Maybe you live in a different universe, but gas is right at $3 a gallon.

I don't expect my clients, from towns three hours away, to drive to see me in person. Nor do they expect to have me travel three hours just to spend one hour with them.

It's this new thing called logic.

Respect how intelligent your clients are, and they will respect how intelligent you are. I still make personal visits. I still send out thank you notes, handwritten, with a stamp on them. I just incorporate some of today's technology to help me better manage my time, and those to whom I provide service.

I've had the same auto insurance for the past four years, and have never met my agent, face to face. However, when I pick up the phone, he always handles whatever situations I have. I don't care what he looks like, I just care that he cares.

 

[Macdaddy]

Why are you not calling them?

Touching base via email as part of an integrated follow up plan is fine, but I personally don't see it being very effective method for selling.

How do you pick up buying signals? How do you do a trial close? How do you stop them from shopping?

You can't.

How do you know they will even read it?

 

[Krono]

How about..."How would you like to proceed?"

 

[HomeService]

bob, I live in an old school universe. Kind of stuck in the 1970's. Respect the old school. Word. ha ha