WAHM Forums

Have any of you had anything like this happen to you?


Sometimes, someone will email me and express their excitement about my business, as well as ask for information about my company's consultant program.


Now, I am required to ask some questions first (such as if they are age 21 or older since our product is alcohol, and what state they live in since we are not licensed in each and every state due to some state laws, etc.),If they answer my questions, and I know we can move forward (i.e., they're old enough and in a state we are licensed to be in) then I send a complete info package.


This is where I get confused..........


Sometimes I do not hear back. I have before assumed this meant they were not interested, and then later found that the person I had talked with and provided information to actually signed up under someone else with my company because he/she thought my lack of follow-up meant I was not interested in them! Argh! smileys/smiley7.gif


BUT THEN, I have waited a period of time and sent an email to make sure they receive the info and let them know I'm available to answer questions, only to receive a nasty email back from them (such as, "NOT INTERESTED!!!" or "NOT a good time!"). What the smileys/smiley35.gif?!


I sometimes feel damned if I do and damned if I don't!


We have all talked about etiquette before such as the "pick me" syndrome that we see people in our industry do. Sometimes I think there should be anetiquette book for the people who arelooking into an opportunity.

Yes I too have had this happen - whenI send an email I have a line that says - please let me know if you received this message - it has helped some - but then you do get the ones who never respond - and have seen some people ask questions, I snail mail them the application and then they STILL join under someone else - just white out my info on the application


Have had some email back and forth then go to the main site and say no one is replying - then I get questiones from those in charge - but I nowcc all my email to potentials this way I have proof I did my part


Oh well - this shows they were not ones you really want on your team - is now my way of thinking about it !!!!


Tonja

Whenever I send out info I let them know in writing that I'll be calling in a few days just to make sure they got it and to answer any questions. So they know I'm calling. And it also FORCES me to get over any jitters I might have as I've already given them the expectation that I'll call. I'll call / leave messages three times. By the third, I apologize that we haven't connected and leave my information so they can contact me with any questions. Then I figure I've done my job. I've come to realize that it's part of the rule of thumb of recruiting: One out of ten will say yes. So sometimes we just need to do our bestwith the nine who will be unresponsive so that we can get to number ten.

Forgive me for missing it, but they know I'll be following up as well. I'm mainly talking about the ones who get mad when you do! It's really weird!


Like I said, I learned from my mistake of "assuming" that if they do not get back to me, then it must mean they are not interested. But it's strange that when we do what we're suppose to, and they know it, how some people will bite your head off.


And it's not as though we're following up in a pushy way! I'm sure all of you, like me, take the approach of, "Just wanted to make sure you received anything. Can I answer any questions for you?" etc.

Now, I as you know have requested information from a number of you
girls on the board and I try to always be up front and honest about who
I am talking to especially if I am looking at more than one business.

I also try to let everyone know if I have chosen one or the other etc.



I too, have had information requested and never hear anything back from
the people one way or the other. Even when I do a follow up call
or email it is as if I don't exist, no reply, return call etc. It
is not that hard to simply say: "thank you for the information I've
decided to go with .... or I don't think ... is for me" etc



It is simple common courtesy, but some people just don't know how to do
that. I guess maybe think they are going to hurt our feelings if
they say "no" and so they just ignore us. Or maybe they think they are
going to get pressured.



What ever they are thinking, they still need to respond, don't you
agree? Now I have no explaination for those who respond negetively
after they</span> requested the information, just plain ignorance I guess!

I'll even have people say I'll let you know either way. I guess the I haven't called you or won't pick up the phone or respond to emails is the answer.


I agree, it would be nice if they just sent an email saying this is not what they are interested in.


On the flip side, I've had this happen and will do a courtesy email a year later, and they'll sign.


So, I don't let it get to me. I just move on and every 6 months go back through and send out an email to those who I haven't heard from in the last year to 14 months. Sometimes I go further.


Get it out of your system and then move on. We know 1 in 10 will join. So now, you are 9 more closer.


Debbie

Also, I almost gave up in March. I hadn't recruited muchin 3 months and was just tired. All ofa sudden, I had 7 in one month. Then I was on a roll and I have recruited 39 people this year.


smileys/smiley36.gif


Debbie

Debbie that's great! You go girl!


When people don't reply at all, it kinda makes me wonder why they even wanted the info in the first place. Maybe they're checking out their competition or something. Who knows. The first two times it happened to me I wondered what I had done wrong to turn the people away. Now I realize that some people just don't know any better, and it's a part of doing business. Like you said Mellonie, it's not like we're being pushy at all. So if they can't handle a courtesy call, probably best they don't sign, as they will likely not know how to make those calls themselves.

That's what I love about this site, and all of you.....I can come here to stomp my feet and through my little tantrum smileys/smiley36.gif. A lot better than taking it out on someone!


People can be odd. And, Leah, I HAVE had my competition shop me. I think that's more annoying.

It is frustrating sending out info (which does cost me money!) to someone and then never hearing back from them.


I have no problems sending out info, but it sure would be nice to get a reply once someone receives the package! I have several people that DO reply via email when they receive the package, and request more time to think over the business options. I reply for them to take as much time as they need, and I hope they don't mind if I follow up in a few weeks. Most appreciate that I acknowledge that they need some time to think things over, and that I will take the initiative and contact them in a few weeks - just to see how things are going (no pressure!). Sometimes it may just not be the right time for a particular person to start their own business, but a month or two later is the perfect time!


I -luckily- haven't had anyone be too rude to me yet about following up, but I am sure that it will happen at some point!


I just chalk it up as to part of the business!

it is so frustrating to me!! I always say just let me know either way and never hear back. I give it a few times and then put it away, and maybe try again in a few months.





I've also had several "i'm mailing in the contract" and then not do it!! what's the point of telling me that? or not following up and saying.. i just can't right now, etc.. I do keep people on an extended call list like Deb said.. you never know..





Deb.. i'm in a recruiting slump! haven't had one since Aug.!! Let's hope tonight i can have some successs!

Deb--


Just have fun, and talk about the opportunity a few different times in your presentation. Focus on the hostess and before her party ask if she would like to make some extra money? Then tell her, any bookings from tonight will be hers.


Best of luck!


Debbie

I can relate to everything that was mentioned above~


I guess everybody has their own way to deal/confront these things. I agree it would be nice that we get a gentle response of a yay or nay~


My advise is to do what you feel is right - what feels right~ The opportunity is endless. Don't let a couple of rude or cranky people get you down~


Oh, wouldn't a crystal ball come in handy at times like this! LOL!smileys/smiley36.gif

I am so glad I am not alone. I always put something in an email like I am looking forward to talking to you, etc.


I too have had people say they mailed the contract and guess what-no contract-even better I find out they have signed on with another company!


I give it 3 tries and file it away to try again later. I love it though when they invite you to call them and then they never answer the phone or return your calls.

I, too, have had this happen to me. I had one woman nastily ask why I contacted her (via email) after she told me I could follow up to stay in touch! Go figure! The way I look at it,I wouldn't want someone like her on my team anyway!smileys/smiley2.gif


People can be so rude smileys/smiley7.gif; and you can't behave likethat&amp; be a successful rep! So, again, better they aren't on your team; would be a bad reflection on you as their sponsor to have that caliber of person on your team.

well.. the party was good.. no new consultants but good sales and bookings!! Can't wait til next week! plus.. i'm sick of traveling so far.. i'm trying to get people to sign on so i don't have to do it! and deb, yes, i offer the bookings are yours, especially for these far ones!

Well ladies, persistence does pay off! I joined The HomeMaker's Idea Company June 1st and have been heavily recruiting since then. I ask everyone and anyone who will listen--even the checkout lady at Wal-Mart!!smileys/smiley4.gif I had a show this past Wednesday, and one of the guests said yes! She will be mailing in her check on Monday! Since I'm no longer a "virgin" to recruiting, it just goes to show that anyone can do it--even someone with no sales experience! I agree with the other ladies-if your prospects get huffy, you don't want them working under you. In this business, you can't afford to be spending all of your time taking care of high-maintenance teammates. It's counterproductive, and eventually will reflect on your own shows.


Michele Kruser


www.myhomemakersidea.com/mk14281 (http://www.myhomemakersidea.com/mk14281)

What a great subject. I also have this happen to me. Most of them are people from this board. What I don't like is people who ask for a sample and then when you send one, you never hear from them again. It really makes me feel like people are just "shopping" for free samples. In the long run it is hurting the people who are really interested in the business. My problem is, how do I know who the serious people are? Unfortunately, i've had to stop mailing out so many free samples and now I just send a scent sample to anyone interested. Catalog and postage on their own cost money - then when you add in the cost of a votive - it can get expensive. Now, I have recruited a few people from sending out the votives but more have gone MIA than anything. Even if they would have replied with a message saying "Thanks but i've decide to hold off right now or I made another decision, etc" The silence is what bothers me also.


Tamra

Tamra, i've had a lot from here too -- people who pm me for info, i send it and then no response.. it is frustrating, b/c a simple statment of no thanks, not now, or something would just help!





I had someone(not from here) want to host a catalog party, would probably sign up, etc. i sent her way more samples than normal and she never even sent me one order! (and supposedly she had some) never again