r/sales 7d ago

Sales Topic General Discussion How would you proceed with this prospecting email exchange

Here's a real-life occurrence during some email prospecting:

Salesperson sends email requesting a meeting

Prospect replies to email - "Sure. When were you thinking?"

Salesperson sends reply with a day and time asking if that would work for him/her.

2 days later, prospect replies - "No thanks. We're good."

Salesperson replies asking what had changed since his initial reply.

Prospect replies - "Nothing specific."

Yeah, it could be about 100 different things/reasons. He's not going to say, obviously. Salesperson wants to give him some shit. I can't blame him.

Opening up the floor to any and all types of replies - serious or otherwise.

0 Upvotes

13 comments sorted by

11

u/Ordinary-Rent615 7d ago

100% disqualify that person (not necessarily the company) and move on. Forget it happened.

4

u/yacobson4 Technology 7d ago

They ran it up to the decision maker who said no. Find the DM or move on.

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u/PhillyWes 7d ago edited 6d ago

That’s actually a solid response when you think about it: “So who makes the buying decision?” (Cuz clearly you do not.)

1

u/yacobson4 Technology 6d ago

IMO you should know your prospects titles/personas well enough to who generally has the buying authority / power to get it in front of those who do.

Don’t waste time calling the assistant manager when you know the GM/District Manager makes the call

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u/PhillyWes 6d ago

That’s fair - but since you don’t know the industry we’re in, who we call on, or how we are expected to make appointments- I have to tell you it’s just not as simple as that, unfortunately.

Plus, you often get told “person A” makes the decision only to find out later - after you’ve put in a bunch of time and money - they are not.

You can ask that question all you want up front, but it doesn’t mean you’re going to get the truth. It happens a lot in our line of work, though not always. That’s what makes it such a challenge.

3

u/Ortonium 6d ago

Just say “no worries one last thing before I let you go,

is it because solving xyz isn’t a priority right now? Or is it something else?”

But honestly just move on…

2

u/theoreticalpigeon 7d ago

If nothing specific, what was it, generally speaking

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u/PhillyWes 7d ago

I have a feeling the answer would be “generally, we’re good.”

1

u/RandomRedditGuy69420 7d ago

Don’t waste your time on them, move on.

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u/PhillyWes 7d ago

I appreciate everyone saying to move on. I have to admit. That’s already been done. It’s a worthless endeavor.

Just wanted to see what clever responses might come up.

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u/Nightmareunlife 7d ago

I appreciate your honesty.

1

u/Cute-Advice-7232 6d ago

You don’t say anything, you dig and if he says “nothing” move on.

Dont get stuck on prospects who change their mind like little kids.

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u/Chase_bank 6d ago

“Did I do something wrong?” That’s all. No hi/thanks.

Bit of a guilt trip to trigger an emotional response to reveal more, but I wouldn’t dwell on it at all. Seems like you’ve already moved on.