Tips and strategies for getting past “the gatekeeper”
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[{"id": "es5enna", "text": "I have a gatekeeper who tries to filter out certain types of sales calls. When salesmen are able to get through to me it\u2019s usually because they are confident and ask for me by my first name. I\u2019d say confidence is the key here. If you sound like your just trying to sell something your out of luck.  I used to do the same when I cold called frequently, but sometimes you just can\u2019t get through. Then you just gotta move on to the next or at least ask to leave them a voicemail.", "replies": [{"id": "es63322", "text": "Being fully transparent and confident is always the best way that I\u2019ve found.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "es5lqk9", "text": "Scenario #1- getting past gatekeeper on the phone.\nMe: \u201cHi my name is Garret with XYZ company. I\u2019d like to speak to Bill please.\u201d \nReceptionist: \u201cMay I ask what your calling about?\u201d \nMe: \u201cHe is expecting my call, thanks\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m following up on an email I sent him, thanks\u201d\n\nTake the directive. The point here is to be confident, polite, and concise. Don\u2019t give the receptionist too much information and dig yourself a hole. Be short and too the point. \n\nScenario #2- getting past gatekeeper in person\n\nMe: \u201cHi my name is Garret with XYZ Company, I\u2019m here to speak with Bill please\u201d\n\nGatekeeper: \u201cDo you have an appointment?\u201d\n\nMe: \u201cI sent Bill some information letting him know that I would be here, so if you can get him for me that would be great, thanks\u201d\nOR\n\u201cI am new to this area and I\u2019d like to make a quick introduction, so if you can let Bill know I\u2019m here that would be great, thanks\u201d\nOR\n\u201cI was actually just next door visiting Bob at *some other company, so I thought I\u2019d stop by. If you can grab him for me please that would be great, thanks.\u201d\n\nAgain, notice I am taking the directive. Instead of asking for permission, I am telling the receptionist what i want (in a very polite way). For example instead of saying \u201cHi, is Bill available?\u201d you say \u201cHi, I\u2019m here to see Bill.\u201d  Taking the directive makes it seem like you belong there and have a purpose, which will hopefully persuade the gatekeeper to let you through more often. Confidence and preparationare are key.\n\nIf you don\u2019t know the decision makers name, ask the gatekeeper.\n\nMe: \u201cHi my name is Garret with XYZ company. I\u2019m calling to find out the name of person who makes the decisions regarding X. Do you know who that might be?\n\nGet a name, phone number, email, SOMETHING you can use to contact this person. At least if you get the decision makers contact info, you can try to contact them directly, OR next time you call you already know who to ask for.", "replies": [{"id": "es6325q", "text": "This is great", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "es7g1vw", "text": "Great advice, thanks", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "es7redq", "text": "yep , yep and yeppppp", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]