J
J

Juancallclose

Director

Catalyst
Opinionated
Valued Contributor
+3

Throwing time on a prospects calendar

You've been getting ghosted, they're busy, etc. One tactic I've seen is just randomly throwing time on a customer's calendar so they'll "have to" respond. I know it has worked situationally, but to me, maybe it's too obtrusive. Thoughts?

Randomly throwing time on prospect calendar

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🔎 Prospecting
20

23 comments

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Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
10
Sales Rep
Its one of those it depends. Solid relationship and they said meet this week/month. I will send an email saying I am sending a tentative invite which we can move, but just want something on the calendar to make sure we hit the deadline of x.
braintank
Politicker
3
Enterprise Account Executive
Exactly
Maximas
Tycoon
2
Senior Sales Executive
I second this!
Sunbunny31
Politicker
8
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Never for cold outreach, but for prospects I've been working with and have gone quiet/non-responsive, I'll do it. It gets a response - even the declines have had "sorry, I'm swamped, no updates, let's connect in two weeks" which is better than crickets.
braintank
Politicker
5
Enterprise Account Executive
If it's someone you know or they've agreed to meet than this can work.
But for cold outreach this is a big no no
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
They'll find out quickly 😆
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
4
Bravado's Resident Asshole
I have had it go both ways tbh. Depends on how well you know the prospect/client.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
4
☕️
I don’t want a rep to send me a “hold” do I sure as hell don’t want you to send me an unsolicited invite.
BTQ
Politicker
2
Account Manager
Cold outreach = no

This is a great way to get unqualified leads. But if i have some type of rapport with the prospect it’s worked for me in the last
punishedlad
Tycoon
2
Business Development Team Lead
I'd never do it to a prospect you've never met before. If I've had a prior conversation and they said they'd be interested in chatting, I'll sometimes throw out a placeholder to see if it sticks.
Doing it without any given context is asking for a no show and increases the likelihood they'll never engage with you again.
Wellss
Tycoon
2
Channel sales
It's for sure one of those things I've always wanted to try lol but never have! I'm sure it's worked for some people but I personally see it as too intrusive
Justatitle
Big Shot
2
Account Executive
although it may seem like a good idea I think it backfires more times than not.
Diablo
Politicker
2
Sr. AE
I have tried a few times but haven’t been successful and it backfired twice and I no longer do it.
Coastal_crusher
Politicker
2
Sales Director
This is an easy way to get yourself blocked from ever doing business with that person again
Gasty
Notable Contributor
2
War Room Community Manager
Only works when they've - at least half-heartedly - agreed to a call.
But you know what? If you're inviting people for an event - I'd say you showcase some bravado and throw it out on a bunch of ICPs. Then it works more like an Opt-out from the event - instead of an Opt-in.

I've seen this working, so can vouch for the risk of experimenting.
Good luck!
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Cold outreach? Never.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
i hate this when prospecting.

The ONLY time I will do this is if we have had conversations before and there is SOME sort of relationship.

But especially after getting ghosted i dont think this is a good idea.
if they wanted to meet, they would.
RandyLahey
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I like this move a lot. Can't succeed if you don't try.
Depends on the situation obviously.
In my previous role, I had to re-heat accounts that had gone cold in our CRM.
I would routinely do the "as your dedicated Account Manager, I'd love get to know you and chat about X. I took the liberty of throwing some time on your calendar.
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
1
Rolling 20's all day
If you have had a bunch of meetings with them... maybe. But I'd say it's still risky.
Juancallclose
Catalyst
0
Director
Yep. To me, it's one of those "it depends" scenarios. Even if I've met with you a few times, it feels presumptuous and obtrusive
kittychachas
Valued Contributor
1
VP/Director of Sales
If you’re already working with them then do it. My clients have thanked me for making it top of mind and putting a time on their calendar. I’ll shoot them a note, a voicemail, or a text letting them know I put a tentative time on the calendar for x date at y time to sync up.
oldcloser
Arsonist
0
💀
If it’s a long term ghosting, do you really have anything to lose. But you’ve got to add context. Humor helps if you can pull it off: “I guess you noticed I grabbed 30 minutes on Wednesday. Just needed time to come drop off a check for the time I’ve spent in your box this month.”
alphasales
Politicker
0
Sales Manager
We've had folks do this with prospects who've seemed interested but kept pushing out a call. Seems to be 70/30 in the way of it not working.

It does seem to mostly happen at the end of the month when peeps want to try bump up their meetings booked number.

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