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[P292]Phone & Answering Machine

by Hans Hasselfors, Han

I recently started a home based business. As a result of this business I am telephoning people across the United States. I cannot believe the messages that people leave on their answering machine. I know that everyone has their own personality and ways of expressing themselves, but using an answering machine to do this does not leave a great first impression.

As I have been making my telephone calls I have encountered all sorts of messages. Some people have the standard computer voice saying that no one is available please leave a message, and others have the standard message that is suggested in the hand book that you get with an answering machine system. These messages may seem boring but they leave the caller with a neutral opinion of the person that is called. Of these two I prefer to hear the person's voice stating that they are not available and to leave a message.

The other answering machine messages that I have encountered range from funny to rude. The mid range are the people that leave very detailed instructions on how you are to leave a message and what to place on it. I have found that often times the people that want the most details have the shortest amounts of time available to leave a message. I end up getting cut off and have to recall and listen to all the instructions over again to leave the rest of my message. Some people have clips from cartoons or movies that are used for their message. Others have blaring music for the first few seconds and then have a recorded message. This is fine if you are using your phone only for friends and family, but if you are seeking employment and have given your number on a resume this is not the best idea.

The rude messages are the worse. One answering machine had the message if you think you are important enough for me to get back to leave a message. Another stated I most likely am not getting back to you loser but go ahead and leave a message. Still others have offensive language telling you to get lost because a message will not be returned.

As I am making my calls to set up interviews, and these are all people that have requested phone interviews, I find that I am rating people from the start. If I encounter a rude message on an answering machine in my first contact I will leave a message asking the person to get back to me, and I will not make another call to that person. I also make a note on their resume regarding the type of message they have on their answering system. I do not think that people realize that the messages they are leaving others make a strong first impression.

One of the most damaging things you can do to your MLM success is call a good prospect and leave a bad phone message. Why? Well, you may have just blown your chance at continuing a relationship with a very qualified MLM business prospect! Continue reading to learn what to say and other valuable phone message tips.

You're ready to call your prospect and ask him to check out your MLM business by: watching a video, listening to a conference call or attending a meeting? only to discover that you get his answering machine.

What do you do?

No, you don't freak out; you leave a message that conveys such confidence that your prospect will want to call you back the minute he hears it!

?At the sound of the tone, leave your message, beeeeep.? Uh, uh _ _ _ hi _ _ uh I was just calling um _ _ I'll just try later.

That only happens when you're not prepared. So you might as well get the proper MLM training and learn it now. Then, practice it so you're never surprised by an answering machine.

What you're going to read here I recommend that you rehearse several times and then call your own answering machine and leave yourself a message and listen to it.

Listen to how you sound; you may be surprised. Make corrections and do it again. Continue practicing until you can leave a confident message that sounds really good.

Generally, for a warm market person (someone you know), you can vaguely state the reason why you are calling and leave it at that. He's your friend and should call you back. How ever you ?normally? talk I suggest you keep it that way. Don't suddenly sound like a different person.

Here are some examples:

?Hi John, this is Tim, how are you. I'm calling to talk a little business with you....?

?Hi John, Tim here, give me call. I've got something I want to run past you....?

?Hi John, Tim here, ...haven't talked in a while. I'd like to catch up on what you've been up to and run something by you??

?Hi John, this is Tim. Hey man, something's come across my desk that you may find interesting??

?Hi John, this is Tim Sales, we've not talked in a VERY long time. Give me a call when you can, I want to hear about what you've been up to....?

And if you're normally goofy on the phone, by all means be goofy:

?Hey John, did you see the Gators beat up on the Bulldawgs? I'm calling to rub it in a little?(laugh) not really'I want to talk a little business with you....?

Of course, with a cold market prospect (someone you don't know), you want to be smart with how you handle the call; give yourself the authority in the situation, in a non-assertive way of course.

?Hi I'm calling for John Smith. John, you filled out a questionnaire indicating that you have an interest in a business you can work from home. I'm calling in regards to that. I'd like to get to know you a little bit and find out what you had in mind to see if it's a fit with what I have. Let me give you my number....?

I don't have a lot of examples on this one because this is always the message I leave. The only thing that varies is how I got his number.

I don't recommend you leave long-winded messages?nor very short messages: ?This is Tim, call me back.?

All of those examples are the first part of the message. The last part of the message should ALWAYS be the same. Let me repeat that, the last part of the message should always be the same!

Here's the last part:

?...let me give you my number, 888.888.8888. I'll give that to you again, 888.888.8888. Look forward to talking with you.?

NEVER ASSUME HE HAS YOUR NUMBER.

NEVER ASSUME HE HEARD YOUR NUMBER THE FIRST TIME.

ALWAYS ASSUME YOUR PHONE (OR HIS) HAS A BAD CONNECTION AND THE ENTIRE MESSAGE DIDN'T GO THROUGH.

Many times people leave me messages and they rattle their number so fast (because they know it very well) that I have to rewind the recording several times to hear it.

Do not leave anything of value after you give your number. The prospect may hang up after hearing you say, ?I'll give that to you again.? So if after the number you leave something like, ?I'm available after 7? which is very important information, your prospect may not get that because they hung up before it played.

These phone message tips have helped me strengthen communication with MLM business prospects because I have found them to be much more willing to call me back and to talk to me. Learn and master these scripts and?always be prepared to leave a message!

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About Author

Both Hans Hasselfors & Tim Sales, Mlm Mentor are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Hans Hasselfors has sinced written about articles on various topics from Healthy Diet, Acne Treatment and Retirement. Hans Hasselfors is the owner of . To find the best. Hans Hasselfors's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.

Tim Sales, Mlm Mentor has sinced written about articles on various topics from Infertility, Multi Level Marketing. Tim Sales helps network marketers gain the confidence and skills to be an MLM success. Learn how to become a true network marketing professional and sign up for his free MLM training newsletter and listen to free training at http://www.brilliantexchange.c. Tim Sales, Mlm Mentor's top article generates over 590 views. to your Favourites.