Should I Call (and Russian Accent be Damned?)

[G_C]

Hi folks,

I've got a hot end user lead going cold - and, because the sale could be worth $xxx to me, I'm thinking of giving them a call before giving up.

The problem is that, while my English is fluent, it's not my mother tongue, in the sense that I still have a bit of an accent that not even 12 years of working and studying in English could fix. Or, to put it another way, in a phone conversation, I'm pretty sure I won't make any grammar mistakes or anything of that sort; instead, it will be purely a question of my accent, and whether it will put the client off or instead help to close the sale.

Judging from his name, the client is Indian; however, he lives and works in the United States. Moreover, we've exchanged e-mails in the past and he knows from my surname and my location that I'm not from the US.

Question is - should I call? And, if yes, has anyone got a proven script for following up with a lead going cold?

 

[amoeba]

I wouldn't worry about the accent, as long as you can speak clearly and make yourself understood. I'd be more concerned with calling uninvited and coming on too strong. Maybe there's a reason he didn't email you back?

 

[maxeaus]

I say give it a go, just start off by saying hi I'm (name) ringing you from Switzerland, I'm wondering if you would still like the domain name we corresponded about? At worst you will waste a phone call.

At best you may get the sale, or at least find out why the sale fell through, because eg: they bought a different name.

I would think most people would be impressed that you made the effort rather than the opposite.

Some might not, but hey your not calling from Nigeria are you?

I don't know of a script myself, i would just be friendly and honest with the person.

 

[shane mac]

I agree, give them a call. Whats the worst that can happen? They say no? As you already say you think the lead is going cold, so you won't lose anything by giving it a shot. Don't worry about the accent either

 

[networkmsia]

business is business.
nobody cares about accent.

all the best

 

[theSun]

Call. Case closed.

 

[Robin]

Call him, everyone wants money. Who cares about grammer and accent

 

[El Bandolero]

Call him if you don't risk you don't win.

 

[nomak]

I would definitely call him. I closed a few sales in this manner, the enduser didn't respond so I gaved them a call and told them what we discussed. Just be confident. In the worst case, you will be in the same situation as you are now, with no sale closing.

 

[mwzd]

Yeah, if he's Indian this is probably a price tactic :p

Call him, worst he can say is no :lol:

Good Luck

 

[G_C]

Alright folks,

I just gave him a call; unfortunately, it turned out to be a company number rather than his direct extension. He wasn't available, but the person on the line suggested that I call back at around 1:30PM local time. I'll do just that, and I also asked the person to let him know I called, just in case I don't manage to reach him after all.