Calendar and Self-scheduling links - Love or hate?

Very curious to get some opinions on this as I might be looking at it all wrong.


The main reasons I dislike calendar links and never use them in sales:

  • Leaving the scheduling up to the client which shows poor attitude and it's actually quite lazy imo.
  • Having to wait for the client to use the link and choose a time which can take a long time.
  • Prolonging the sales cycle as I have to wait.
  • The client can choose a time further away than I really want them to.
  • Feel like I'm losing control of the process.
  • Losing the opportunity to negotiate a more immediate time if they suggest a time that pushes the deal further back.


Also feeling is that it dehumanises the process. I've even seen reps use calendar links for cold outreach which is crazy to me. Does that even work unless I'm giving away free Iphones?


Maybe I'm old fashioned here so feel free to let me know why I need to get with the times.



What do you think of Self-scheduling links in sales?

Attached poll
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๐Ÿ”Ž Prospecting
๐Ÿ‘‘ Sales Strategy
๐Ÿ’Œ Cold Emailing
7
funcoupons
WR Officer
3
๐Ÿ‘‘
I wouldn't say I actually hate them but I'm not a fan. I agree with all of the reasons you outlined.
Molokomjolk
Politicker
1
Sales Director
Comforting that I'm not the only one!
SabertoothSales
Valued Contributor
1
Southeast Regional Manager
For those situations where I'm the client, I love scheduling links, but I've never used them when I'm the sales person, for a lot of the reasons listed above!
paddy
WR Officer
0
Director of Business Development
I agree that it's never a good idea to send them to a prospect with the expectation they'll actually book (they rarely do). But I also don't understand people's gripe with them. If they agree to a meeting, it's far more convenient for me to send them a link to book at their convenience than to go back and forth asking what time works.
Molokomjolk
Politicker
0
Sales Director
I see what you mean. The reason why I don't like that is because they can schedule times too far in the future. I also might have to wait for them to actually book it. Also I can't be flexible and move other meetings in order to accommodate the prospect and speed up the deal.
paddy
WR Officer
0
Director of Business Development
Well your meeting link should by in sync with your calendar so you don't double book..
Molokomjolk
Politicker
0
Sales Director
That's what I mean. I could have other things in the calendar that I can move due to priority if I need to speed a deal up.
slaydie
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
I don't use them for cold outreach but I find them incredibly helpful when working with prospects I am already engaged with. People like easy so I dont mind giving them the power to put time on my calendar - also shows me that they are engaged and want to chat.ย 
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
I recently started using them. Quite like it tbh
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