The more phone, the more fun. It just works!
It was about 4 – 5 weeks ago I picked up a very interesting trend. From some of my older clients and colleagues. They weren’t really into SMS or really into email; they are the types of people that pick up the phone and call you.
At first I found this is an interesting cultural difference between the generations (being just on the end of being a Y) in that whenever they would call I would answer. During the call we would achieve so much more in less time and the odds of the call going in the direction that everyone wants skyrockets dramatically.
I was getting very tired of too much SMS and emails; and I decided to try something new and very counter to modern working culture:
- Get on the phone more!
This included no more confirming my meetings over SMS, I would call. I replaced about 1/3 of my emails with phone calls. I also started calling at least one person a day who may be an old client or someone I haven’t seen in a long time yet liked and the results have been incredible.
As a result of this seemingly simple (yet lost from our culture change), I have:
- Got more meetings / appointments for clients.
- Saved at least 30 minutes a day.
- Given more to my clients.
- Increased my odds of getting clients!
The last point is interesting. If say I am meeting someone and I call them up to confirm a meeting instead of SMS; we often have a quick chat and they ask me questions about what we are doing to talk about in the meeting. Let’s say I spent 10 minutes on the phone, my meeting will either go at least that amount of time shorter and I get more clients.
It makes sense actually, an SMS or an email isn’t much information. But a phone call? It’s a perfect and fun two way conversation.
My advice and thinking?
If you are a ‘young man’ like me (let’s say under 40 lol), make sure you don’t get caught up too much in the SMS / Email / Messenger culture. Of course the platforms are great, but when it comes to getting meetings, influence or complex issues – don’t use them, get on the phone.
It saves time and interestingly if I call up someone and have a good chat, they start liking my FB posts and they show up more. It’s all connected.
Love your work, here is to the phone, thank you my ‘old timer’ clients and stay awesome!
P.S. Some of these ‘old timer’ clients are about 2 – 3 years older than me.
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