Make it general knowledge what you have for sale in as discreet a manner as possible. If I need what you’re selling, I’ll come to you.
If you won’t answer questions with correct technical data, and you choose instead to give me a list of buzzwords and specs I didn’t ask for, expect to be hung up on. If you don’t know the answers, that’s fine, just transfer me to someone who does. Tell them who I am and what I want before the transfer. Engineers are preferred. Sales managers are not. If I need a follow-up, I’ll ask for one. If I don’t ask for one, it’s not because I forgot.
“I’ll be in touch” means just that: if the need exists to further the relationship, I will call you guys back. I have several lists, which would you like to be on?
If I said I might call back, you’re on the “maybe” list. If you call me back more than once, or within less than a week, you’re going to be on the “no” list. If you call back after I’ve said “no thanks”, you’re going on the “black” list. It’s the only permanent list I’ve got. Side note: “I’ll think about it” probably means “no”, but don’t necessarily lose hope. If you hear that, don’t bug me. I might call back, I might not. Even if I don’t, though, I won’t recommend against you if a colleague asks. That’s important.
If what you sell is worth its weight in gold, I’ll hear about it from colleagues and you don’t need to do a thing but pick up the phone and answer some questions. Makes your life easy doesn’t it!
If, however, your product is crap, I’ll know that too, again from colleagues.
If I don’t reach out, it’s not because I don’t know about you … it’s most likely because I’m not interested. I don’t buy things I don’t need … period. That’s what makes sales calls so fruitless for us both.
I know this goes against pretty much everything they teach to sales people though.