I'm an imageGetting Past The Gatekeeper

If someone believes you are important, they will treat you differently.  Use the steps below to ensure you are giving the right impression.

 

  1. Use a calm and relaxed voice.  Smile and confidently greet with energy and ease.  Answer questions about the nature of your call with confidence and authority.
  2. Engage the Gatekeeper.  Learn their name, write it down.  Use it while speaking with them.  Be friendly, this will result in a positive attitude from the Gatekeeper should you speak again.
  3. Don't give out more information than necessary.  Remember, you are not selling to the Gatekeeper.  You don't need to go into details, keep it simple.  Tell them who you are calling for, do not ask if the contact person is available.
  4. Do your research, and approach with familiarity of the business and the contact person.  Use their first name, and make it personal.  If your unable to connect, ask for the best time to call, a cell number, etc.
  5. Be positive.  If you're asked is the contact person is expecting your call.  Answer positively with, "Yes, I've sent information we need to discuss."  You may give a sense of urgency by adding "by the close of business".
  6. Don't wait for the call back.  If you are asked to leave a message, do so.  Give your name and number but let the Gatekeeper know you are in and out all day and ask for the best time to reach the contact person.

If you've done everything you can with the Gatekeeper and you feel like your hitting a dead end, switch up your tactics.  Try calling the contact person in off hours, or early in the day.  If you know the company opens at 8am, call at 7am.  If you know the Gatekeeper takes lunch at noon, call at noon. - You might just get past the Gatekeeper and directly to your contact person.

 

Hi, "NAME OF PERSON WHO ANSWERED IF THEY GAVE THEIR NAME."  I need to speak with FIRST NAME ONLY OF CONTACT PERSON.  

 

Gatekeeper:  "May I ask who's calling?

Sure, it's YOUR FIRST NAME.  

 

Gatekeeper:  "What is this in regarding?'  or  "Is CONTACT PERSON expecting your call?

 

Yes, I've sent information we need to discuss.  OR I am following up on my email, I didn't hear back and it's about their tax credit.

Gatekeeper:  If they say, "Could you give me the information and I can pass it on to them?"

 

Response:  Unfortunately, no, due to the confidential nature of the information it would be inappropriate for me to give this information  to anyone other than CONTACT PERSONS FIRST NAME.

 

Gatekeeper:  "They are unavailable or not in the office.  I can transfer you to voicemail or take a message."

 

Response:  Sure but, I only have another week or so to get this taken care of, and I was hoping to clear it up by end of business for FIRST NAME OF CONTACT PERSON.  I don't want him/her to be frustrated they had to wait.  Is it possible to be transferred to his/her cell?

At this point, the Gatekeeper will either give you the cell number/transfer you to the cell/or decline and transfer you to voicemail.  Either way, you can move forward with the appropriate script from that point.


Be sure to use your marketing toolbox for other great scripts!