Subscriber Discussion

Should I Use My Personal Contacts To Generate Leads?

U
Undisclosed #1
Apr 06, 2017

Hi, everyone. I am a commission based salesperson, selling commercial access control for a local locksmith. I’ve been working for this company for some time now, ever since graduating last summer. At first, I was working through warm leads my company had. Then I worked through their cold lead list. Now I am running out of ideas for developing leads. My boss is no help either, he just says I should "go dialing for dollars" or "use some old fashioned shoe leather". I think that means walking? Walking where?

My college fraternity publishes a list of fraternity brothers and their industries. Can I cold call through that list? If so, how hard should I lean on my fraternity connections? 

Or should I just call all my friends and relatives and see if anybody needs new locks or electronic access control systems?

Help!

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Brian Rhodes
Apr 06, 2017
IPVMU Certified

In general, I think you can do it, but expect some negative blowback if you do.

Anecdote: My personal facebook page is basically for close friends and family, I put up pictures of my kids and stuff like that.  The quickest way for me to unfriend or unfollow you is to try to get me to buy something, like your drink powders or vitamins or whatever.  I get so irritated when people collateralize my friendship to pitch me.

There's a good chance there are people you know feel the same way.  An aggressive salesperson probably wouldn't think too much about the downsides here, but if you don't want at least some of your contacts to be irritated by this- don't do it.

You might try getting involved in community Chamber of Conference events, school sports booster groups, local trades associations, and so on.  Those environments are more receptive to 'business networking' and you'll be dealing with people who have their business interests up front, rather than expecting a personal relationship.

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John Scanlan
Apr 06, 2017
IPVM • IPVMU Certified

I have always been receptive to a one time introduction / overview.  It's important to me that my friends and family are doing well, and if I can help I would like to.  I do not appreciate being added to a spam list.

e.g.  A family member recently starting working in finance and asked if I can benefit from anything he has to offer - ok.

I coach my kids teams.  After sending an email to the parents one of them added me to his real estate firms email list - not ok.

Check social media for your fraternity - there should be a group for national as well as a smaller group for your chapter.  Some may even share your post for you.

 

 

 

 

 

(3)
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Joseph Parker
Apr 06, 2017

Can't smash that agree button harder!  Make friends and family aware of what you offer, but don't be a nag!  

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #2
Apr 07, 2017

Buy this: Little Red Book of Selling: 12.5 Principles of Sales Greatness

Lead generation is no fun, but if you learn it, the world is yours.

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