For those salespeople and managers out there who whine about how hard it is to actually talk to people, and that they are contacting so many more people by email because its more effective, here’s something to chew on.

Here’s an example of what likely is being sent by “salespeople” perhaps hundreds of thousands of times daily, who believe that this is selling.

I actually received this. Since I didn’t ask for permission to use it, I am taking out the name and company info.

 

Hello  Art

This is (name) with (company) and I just wanted to touch base with you regarding your interest  in (company).  
 
I know you guys had expressed interest a while back and I wanted to make sure I can answer any questions for you or get you up to a trial account.
 
Let me know if you need any help with these steps and I’d be happy to assist you.
 
I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Regards
(contact info)

A bit of background: Again, this was an email I personally received, meaning that the guy had to go through a couple of steps with my spam system to get it through to me, meaning it came from a individual, not an email blast.

Also, I have never done business with this company, nor to my recollection have I spoken with them. If I did, it was a very brief call where I told them I was not a prospect for their email lists of IT professionals.

Let’s break it down and see just how bad it is.

 

-“This is (name) with (company) and I wanted to touch base with you…”

Ahh, the old Baseball Opening… “touching base.” Wow, there’s some value. Also, he used “just,” which as I discuss in “Smart Calling” is a word that minimizes you and your message.

 

– “…regarding your interest  in (company).”

This is actually insulting, since I never had any interest in that company.   

 

– “I know you guys had expressed interest a while back…”

Again, see my previous point. No, I never expressed any interest. So, they either have their information wrong (most likely) or they are flat out lying in an attempt to lead people to believe there had been some contact and interest. If you feel my thinking on this is out there, I can tell you from experience that there are companies and reps that use this as part of their approach.  And please, enough of the “you guys.” That might be OK for social conversation or texting with friends, but not in business correspondence or conversation.

 

-… and I wanted to make sure I can answer any questions for you or get you up to a trial account.”

If someone had questions, that would presume interest, which of course there was none. Then he is attempting to close on a decision, a trial account. He’s asking me to commit to do something, when zero value has been discussed so far.

 

-“ Let me know if you need any help with these steps and I’d be happy to assist you.  I look forward to hearing from you.”

You just can’t make this stuff up. He’s looking forward to hearing from me? Oh yeah, I was so compelled by this note that I couldn’t wait to jump on the phone, contact him, and get that trial account going.

Ok, so I haven’t offered a tip this week, I’m just ripping on something I suggest you avoid at all costs. Let’s make this interactive. I’d like to get your comments on it, and also any suggestions or best practices you employ successfully using email as part of your sales process.