Thrillhouse

Business Development Specialist

"I'm in a meeting"

I've been getting this response lately from people. They answer the phone and not long into the conversation say they're in a meeting and can't talk, but will follow up later.

I've realized (more slowly than I'd like to admit) that not all of these people are in meetings and probably wouldn't answer the phone if they were.

How do you handle this response? Do you believe they are in a meeting, or do you assume they're full of it 100% of the time?

📞 Cold Calling

23 comments

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BillyHoyle

Tycoon

Senior Account Executive

My move has always been to respect their excuse and ask when a better time to catch them would be. Gives me an excuse to call back at a certain time.

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

Same. I know the meeting excuse is BS but arguing with the prospect isn't a good way to start off a relationship. I just say "I don't mean to interrupt, when would be a better time for me to call?" They might BS you again but then you know you're dealing with someone who has zero interest and zero respect for what you're doing and you can move on.

BillyHoyle

Tycoon

Senior Account Executive

100%^

Thrillhouse

Valued Contributor

Business Development Specialist

That's what I'm running into as well. I try to play it off as respectably as possible, but then I get the "Call me back at this exact time" or "I'll call you back" only to never hear from them again.

Incognito

WR Officer

Master of Disaster

Get ahead of it. Start with "This is NAME from COMPANY. Now look, I know you're in a meeting, this is a bad time, you have (the best product/service ever)......"insert the rest of the pitch here.

Hopefully they'll get a laugh or two and give you a shot.

Hotsaw

Politicker

VP Sales

They are never in a meeting. I've never been in a meeting with a prospect who stopped it to anser a call.

Funniest situation I've had: I called a guy once who yelled at me for interupting his squash game... I told him the solution to the problem was to not answer his phone while playing squash and when a better time to reach him would be.

Ace

Arsonist

CEO

There is a serious zoom burnout. People will avoid calls. Perfect time for cold emailing

Thrillhouse

Valued Contributor

Business Development Specialist

That's the only reason I don't think they're lying 100% of the time right now. WFH and Zoom calls would make it easier to be in a meeting and still answer the phone, although it still seems unlikely.

Ace

Arsonist

CEO

Yes, so I guess you'll have to standout in your approach during this period

ARRisLife

Politicker

Account Executive

"Ah, understood. I'll let you get to the meeting but can I make a quick ask? Instead of me trying to catch you on the phone later how about I write up what I was hoping to share with you in an email. I'll title it [something catchy] and you can let me know if you'd like to learn more or if your not interested?"

-goes without saying whatever you write in email should be brief and highly personalized to grab their attention

Chep

WR Officer

Bitcoin Adoption Specialist

I say I've been in sales long enough to know this is a soft no and then pitch as quickly as I can and ask if this is a solution they can see benefitting their business if they say no move on to the next

SaaSguy

Tycoon

Account Executive

A lot of people are probably actually in zoom meetings throughout the day- just tell them your going to call them later or ask when is better for a call.

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

i never believe they're in a meeting. why did they answer the phone in the middle of a meeting? ask to set up a time to call back.

Bittersweet0326

Politicker

Digital Business Associate

They are lying almost every time. I will try to pin down a good time to call back. Then when I call back I'll use it and say hey we talked earlier when you were in a meeting and wanted me to call back at 2:30.

Salespreuner

Big Shot

Regional Sales Director

I try to be quantity driven and push for " does 11.30 a.m on 10th may work please?" - responses have been good!

goose

Politicker

Sales Executive

Have you ever, once, received a proactive call from someone that you sensed wanted to sell you something and you legitimately listened?

Thrillhouse

Valued Contributor

Business Development Specialist

Only when my car warranty is about to expire

goose

Politicker

Sales Executive

That's worth an upvote...

Adslanger1

Opinionated

Senior Account Executive

You always pick the phone in a meeting?

cw95

Politicker

Sales Development Lead

Email & apologise for ringing whilst in a meeting and then email them asking for a good time to chat.

SalesSage

Valued Contributor

National Account Manager

I always ask for a specific hour later to call back, it makes them think of themselves and their schedule and hopefully signifies that I am serious. I also think when you do truly get a person and you can tell they are in a meeting WHY did you answer your phone?

thesecretsauce

Politicker

Business Development

Called someone, confined it was them and they let me begin my pitch (30is seconds) then they responded with “this is a really bad time, I’m on a boat with my kids.” But why the heck are you answering a strange area code on your vacation and letting me go into my pitch 🤔🤔🤔 These smokescreens are getting weak,fam

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Thrillhouse

"I'm in a meeting"

23 comments

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