Mr./Ms. Vs First Name

[theinsuranceman]

For Final Expense: Do you use Mr./Ms. or their first name when talking with prospect?

 

[Frank Stastny]

For Final Expense: Do you use Mr./Ms. or their first name when talking with prospect?

I work in the senior market only. I ALWAYS initially address them as Mr. or Mrs. I look upon it as a matter of courtesy. Once they become a client I call some by their first name but I still have some that I address as Mr. or Mrs.

And, it sounds a lot less like a telemarketing call using Mr. or Mrs. than "Hey Bob, this is Frank, how you doing?" I really don't care how they are doing and they know that I don't care. Big red flag when an agent says that.

Anytime you ask them a question you don't already know the answer to you give control of the conversation to them. Once you lose control it can be very difficult to regain it again.

 

[policy doctor]

I address strangers by their Mr./Mrs. Surname. I think this is a nice formality especially dealing with the senior market. They remember the by-gone era of pleasantries.

I know that when i get a telemarketer who calls me by my first name initially I somehow get offended...perhaps because I think they are getting too familiar? (like Fast Eddie on a blind date?)

 

[Frank Stastny]

...I know that when i get a telemarketer who calls me by my first name initially I somehow get offended...perhaps because I think they are getting too familiar? (like Fast Eddie on a blind date?)

Although I have never been on a blind date with "Fast Eddie" I do agree with you assessment of telemarketers calling me by my first name.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

I address strangers by their Mr./Mrs. Surname. I think this is a nice formality especially dealing with the senior market.

There's a couple of different schools of thought on this...

If I were calling for the first time, I would use both their first and last names (may I speak with Hilda Smith please).

After the initial break-through, there are many that believe you should call them by their first name, so they perceive that you are equals.

 

[policy doctor]

There's a couple of different schools of thought on this...

After the initial break-through, there are many that believe you should call them by their first name, so they percreive that you are equals.[/quote

There used to be a couple rules of etiquette when meeting strangers, esp in these cases where you are potentially soliciting for business.

One...consider your age and the age of the prospect. If you are one or more generations younger, call them Mr/Mrs. Unless they ask you to call them by another name...always address them Mr/Mrs.

Two...if your market is closer to your age, esp the 20's-40's mkt..it would be appropriate to address them by first name.

Three...Once engaged in face to face with a senior, if the atmosphere is friendly, I may ask if it's ok to call them by their first name. I play that by ear....an authority/titled figure (e.g. mayor, pastor,judge) should be addressed by title. Their spouses as Mrs....

I think there are subliminal messages going on back and forth here..treat them with respect and folks like to "bestow" their favors on people they like....if said products are favorable.

Oh one other thing...i'm here in the South...and when I meet an older woman who wants me to call her by her first name. (e.g. Sally) then I (with a big smile) will title her MS. Sally. Works for me. Older men, say Paul Smith, would be Mr. Smith or Mr. Paul.

The rules relax once they become your clients and time goes on. Less formality.