Advice: Stand Out By Using the Telephone and Postal Mail

Every week we receive dozens of e-mails, texts, LinkedIn ‘in-mails’, and other forms of electronic communication (through Facebook, our website contact page, etc.). As receivers of these messages, much time is put forth compiling all of these inbound forms of electronic communication each day, as well as prioritization of the communication relevance. Usually we prioritize messaging found each day in the following order:

• Current client’s communication on active recruiting projects
• New client prospects requesting references of information on a new possible search
• Candidates communication regarding active search projects
• Random calls from individuals looking for jobs whom we are unlikely able to assist

While all these electronic-sourced communications are being compiled and prioritized, multiple inbound telephone lines are often unused. Imagine if I was someone you wanted to sell to. Or, someone you wanted to reach for a job prospect. You would get through to me so much faster by simply calling on the phone. You would essentially cut through all the red tape.

We realize many prospects and new potential clients find us on the internet simply by using Siri or “OK Google”. In fact, IRES ranks in the top 5 search results under most executive and insurance recruiter-related searches, which we know is the most popular way our target clients use to reach us. That’s why we feature our telephone number prominently and even have a call-to-action button that appears on mobile smartphone searches that automatically calls us when touched. Still, many people opt for the more cumbersome “contact us” or email option.

For those of you in sales, business development, marketing, or revenue production— I would urge you to consider using the telephone to reach out to your business prospects who are most likely in a similar situation as ours. In fact, I’ve been to hundreds of boardrooms and offices over the last ten years and often find the phones quiet while email inboxes are stacked up on the desktop screens.

The same goes for “snail mail” or postal mail. We use elegant company stationary when we write to a CEO or other C-level executives, and in turn the letter sits on someone’s desk visible to office visitors and staff, and carries more value, in my opinion.

Conclusion

Whether you want priority service as a client, candidate, or are a sales executive who desires to enhance the speed of your returned calls, think about old-fashioned postal mail and telephone. Chances are you will be among the few using that channel and stand out as a result.