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How to Gently Remind a Customer...

June 26th, 2009 @ 5:30 am

6 Comments

Categories: Closing, Negotiations, Sales Process, Sales Skills, Sales Tips

Tags: ABC Inc., Customer, E-mail, Online Communications, Geoffrey James

Customers take action in their own good time and for their own good reasons.  Problem is, sometimes you need to give them a “nudge” to get them going, or even to find out what the heck is going on.  Every sales professional needs to know the fine art to writing a good “nudge-o-gram.” A reader writes:

I work for a manufacturer where I prepare quotes for for project/bid opportunities. Daily I have to email them to ask the status of the project/bid, e.g., did they win it, lose it, still in the running, reasons for delays, etc. I am having trouble coming up with the best email and am asking your help in writing a better email.  Can you help?

The reader sent me an example of the letter that he sends.  Here is that example, with two rewrites.  Which one do you think will be the most effective:

  • REMINDER #1: “John, it’s been ** days since our last meeting and I’m trying to get a feel for what the team here might need to deliver.  By any chance do you have some news about the ABC project?   I realize you’ve got a lot on your plate, but anything that you could share would be appreciated.  Sincerely, James”
  • REMINDER #2:“John, I’ve got my manager breathing down my neck for a forecast. I was hoping you might have some good news about the ABC project, or could give me some idea where it’s at right now.  Can you help me out with a quick update?  I’d really appreciate it.  Anxiously, Jim”
  • REMINDER #3: “Mr. Doe, I am following up on the ABC project & quote I sent you. Do you know the award date? Are we still in the running? As well, do you need any additional support on the project? Best regards, James Smith”

WHICH REMINDER WILL BE MOST EFFECTIVE?

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  •  
    1

    tj14

    06/26/09 | Report as spam

    RE: How to Gently Remind a Customer...

    The note below got a prompt, multi-paragraph response beginning with profuse apologies.

    Subject: 90 days
    Hi John, it's been 90 days since I prepared that preliminary proposal for you. Since then we've been unable to connect.
    Now I'm not one to push, but in most cases we'd have circled back to each other by now.
    Please call me or let me know when you can give this some attention.
    My best,

    Tim

    I replied to the prospect's response with this:

    Thank you John. That gave me the clarity I was looking for.
    Let me know if you'd like to bone up on anything prior to Tampa.
    Tim

  •  
    2

    Geoffrey James, Sales Machine

    06/26/09 | Report as spam

    RE: How to Gently Remind a Customer...

    Re: Note 1:
    Nice. Very nice... So nice, in fact, I'm going to call attention to it in the main post.

  •  
    3

    Ray892244

    06/29/09 | Report as spam

    RE: How to Gently Remind a Customer...

    Hello Jim:
    I was reviewing your proposal and did a little math. It seems that the ROI we agreed upon breaks down to $1,500 per day. That means you could have increased your measurable productitvity by $135,000 by now.
    What ideas do you have about how you and I could work together to ensure that you and ABC company begin enjoying these productivity increases soon?
    This initiative can be a real feather in your career cap, Jim and I want to help you get it.
    Best Regards,

  •  
    4

    dhanger

    06/30/09 | Report as spam

    RE: How to Gently Remind a Customer...

    It's funny but My requests have been along the line of what I have been using but I had doubts to it's effectiveness. I think alot of the time you have to taylor it to your relationship with the prospect. I use preliminary proposals as a tool to get in the front door and after a couple attempts by phone at follow up I wait 3 mos & send a "lost and found" letter that says "lost" ($$$) at your location, "found" the proposal I left you 3 mos ago - If you had changed to our service you would have saved ($ x 3 mos) by now. Not very gentle though. Great article

  •  
    5

    Chief Gratitude Officer, GratitudeSells.com

    07/01/09 | Report as spam

    RE: How to Gently Remind a Customer...

    Reminders to clients always seem to have the feel of either begging or nagging. One of my favorite push techniques comes from David Sandler. It's the close the file message. Short version, I have not heard from you in xx days. While I hate to do it, I'm going to close this file. We can resubmit our ideas once you are in a better position to move forward on a solution.
    That is my harsh push. The gentle push is a flanker attack.
    I send greeting cards that are humorous or tied to a holiday like Flag Day. The idea is getting my name in front of the buyer in a non confrontational way. Usually they will call to thank me for the card. Once they call me, it is very easy to turn the conversation to the stalled sale.

  •  
    6

    Jdelory

    07/09/09 | Report as spam

    RE: Last Post on How to Gently Remind

    I totally disagree on the first approach by Chief Gratitude Officer: If a prospective vendor sent me a message that was harsh like that, I would delete them from my rolodex forever!

    The greeting card approach is more relationship driven, no wonder it works.

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