If you’re getting screened out by gatekeepers , then chances are you’re probably causing that screening.
Before we get into the things you may be doing to cause them to begin interrogating you, let’s quickly define some terms.First, not all gatekeepers are the same. About 30% of the gatekeepers you get are closer to being assistants, or office managers, or
influencers. The other 70% are straight receptionists or operators. With both groups, you shouldn’t do any of the six things you’re going to learn today, but adjustments will need to be made in the kind—and amount—of information you give (to the 30% group).That said, we’re going to concentrate on the 70% of the gatekeepers you get, and I bet you would love to learn what not to do to antagonize or encourage that 70% to screen you out.
Key Point: The vast majority of receptionists and operators would prefer not to screen you or interrogate you. Their job isn’t to “vet” you, but rather, it’s to find out your name, company name, and a brief reason why you’re calling. They need this complete info to give to the person you’re trying to reach.Failure to give this complete info—coupled with not being polite and not using instructional statements—is what triggers the screening you get now.The first step to
getting put through to decision makersis to make the receptionist’s job easy. And that means you need to stop doing some (or all) of the six things you’re about to learn next.
Each of these six points just cause the gatekeeper to begin interrogating you, so if you stop doing these things, you’ll have a much better chance at being put through—without screening!
As you read these, ask yourself which of them (or most of them!) you’re doing now and adjust your approach accordingly. You’ll be amazed by how much easier it will be to get through:
#1: Only giving your name when asked who is calling (and not giving your company name). If you only give your name, the natural thing the gatekeeper is thinking is, “And from what company??”Making the gatekeeper ask you what company you’re from immediately triggers her/him to begin screening you. And why would you want that?
#2: Pausing after giving any information (like your name or company name, or even the reason for the call). As soon as you stop or pause without giving an instructional statement, you’re handing control over to the gatekeeper. And guess what? She will begin interrogating you!
#3: Pitching the gatekeeper. With the other 30%, a little bit of info must be given, but with receptionists, the moment you start pitching, that’s the moment you raise a big Red Flag that says, “I’m a salesperson!” As that point, they will begin to screen you out…
#4: Just giving your first name (and then pausing). Every gatekeeper knows this trick, and nothing will get them interrogating you faster than this.
#5: Being pushy or rude. Some sales people think that if they just bully their way in, the gatekeeper will step aside and let them through. Yeah, right. How’s that going for you? Truth is, being courteous and polite will get you much further than almost anything, and you’d do well to get on their good side—right away.
#6: Opening your call with, “Hi, how are you?” This puts gatekeepers (and everyone else) on the immediate defensive because they don’t know who you are! And it also triggers them to begin screening you because it telegraphs that you are a salesperson. By the way, it’s especially annoying when you greet the decision maker this way as well.Related:
How to Overcome All Objections with This One QuestionSo, how many of these mistakes are you making every day? The more mistakes you’re making, the more you’re getting screened out.If you’d like to know exactly what you could be doing and saying, then you can
view a special (short) webinar I put together to teach you, word-for-word, what you should be doing instead.Once you watch that, and begin using the scripts and technique in it, you’ll immediately begin breezing past gatekeepers 70% of the time. And I know that will make your life easier and improve your results!
So watch the video today.
