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penpusherI guess it was in the late 1990s when there was some "Masked Magician" that did a series of specials called "Breaking the Magician's Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed," where he showed you the method of to do a lot of the stage illusions and some close up and sleight of hand tricks you might see performed in Vegas, or on Broadway or in a TV special like the one he was doing. As a once upon a time magician, I can say he didn't reveal EVERYTHING, but he gave you a pretty good look at one possible way of doing the tricks demonstrated.
But there are a lot of tricks for a lot of things when it comes to various professions, and, since I don't feel the need to reveal the elements of magic that weren't spilled in that series of specials, I would cover another area I know a thing or two about: that of The World of Telemarketing!
*holds hands palms out, spreading fingers and making circular motions from the core of the body, up and outward*
*jumps up onto a proscenium stage with a colorful curtain as a backdrop*
Maybe you saw my post: How To Deal With Telemarketers and Have Both You and Them Feel Good About It! Which I wrote in 2012. It's kind of getting some new life recently as the president of the company I work for came across it and my writing skill at work, and I did a brief revision of it as a part. The company president only had a vague idea of who I was before this week, despite my being there for five years. I'll let you know what, if anything, happens between him and me as a result of him reading that piece.
And since I'm really ready to walk out that door, forever, just as I might actually be getting some quality recognition from my company, this is an ideal moment to reveal some of the stuff we do, but don't acknowledge as part of the process of dealing with our patrons. So, I think this is the first in a series.
*slips into an all black leotard and tights with matching mask, then mixes around with two other, identically dressed figures.*
*gets confused and takes off mask to check*
Oh! So, probably the one biggest question I get is "how do I get put on the 'Do Not Call List'?"
Ah. You really are starting with the Mt. Everest of secrets, aren't you? Why do you even want to get put on the Do Not Call List, anyway? Let's start with that.
*brings out a large, old fashioned, full-sized wooden phone booth, steps in, closes door, lifts receiver, checks for coins in body suit, replaces receiver, steps out.*
No, that's my legitimate question back to people who want off the call list. Because here's what happens. People say we call them a lot, and they're sick of all the calls. We might call a couple of times a week. Maybe, towards the end of a campaign, when we are running down to the last couple of hundred people we haven't reached, we might call someone a couple of times a day. And if there are people in the same household on the same calling list, then that number is going to ring off the hook until we speak to them both! Sorry!
Keep in mind, if we speak to anyone, that phone number isn't going to be called back again unless we are told a specific time to reach the patron, or at least a few days later. If it's an answering machine, however, that's free game - even though we are aware that people can check the Call logs to see who and how many times we called.
The crux of the problem occurs when people try to avoid the call. They see it's a telemarketer on their Caller ID. They don't answer. And keep in mind, other companies are also calling for other purposes. But to the patron, we're all this one group of people all trying to do the same thing and trying to get their money. So, after several days of avoiding, the reaction is to stop everything! So, the next call that comes in gets the wrath of the angst and anger, and that next call, quite often, is me!
As the person being called, all you need to do is take a couple of minutes to talk to the telemarketer and the calling is complete! Should be simple, right? But here's the other thing. Telemarketers do have magic powers. We can get people to do things they never intended to do, just by what we say! People fear that. This is a reason why people play "Pocket Veto" with the calling. If they do talk, they might give away half their bank account to all the various causes!
Believe me, I totally understand the thinking behind letting the phone jangle. But ultimately, the reason you are annoyed by the calling is rooted in what YOU are doing (or not doing - not answering) than by anything the telemarketer is doing (just trying to reach you).
Also, there is a regional influence involved in the process. Working for the Democratic National Committee, I speak with people in every one of the 50 states, The US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. And, when it comes to our friends in the Midwest, they can't quite say "no." They just don't seem to have the ability to do it! So, they'll act interested, hint that they like what you're talking about, then suggest that you call them back at a different time, and then never answer again. Or if they do, it'll be a variation of that first response.
But so far, none of this actually reveals the secret of how to get on the Do Not Call list. But why am I telling you that? You're reading this to discover the secret and you already know I haven't revealed it yet!
*tosses sparkly confetti in the air and watches it float down*
The challenge of the Do Not Call List is that different telemarketing companies handle it differently, and even the one I work for seems to have different policies at different times. So there should be an asterisk attached to this as it isn't quite definitive, but here is what I know.
You should be aware that when a telemarketer hears the word "No" from you, that person has to classify what kind of no it is. Some categories listed are: "job loss/economy," "will give later in the year," "prefers email" and the ever popular "other" to explain some special circumstance, among the list of specificities.
Just like in the tale "Ali Baba," you have to say a phrase and you have to say it right. Here is the "Open Sesame":
"Put me on the Do Not Call List."
If you don't use the words DO NOT CALL, it's highly probable you will not be removed, as saying something like "take me off the list" really doesn't acknowledge what list you mean! Yes, it's a Three Card Monte style dodge, but the point is, there's no benefit to the company to remove you from the call list. That's one less person to call, and that's one less potential pay date.
Also, if you have said the above phrase perfectly, the telemarketer may then ask you if you prefer getting email or snail mail as correspondence. If you answer that question, you have effectively countermanded your statement! In other words, if you say you prefer to be emailed information, for example, your request to not be called was erased! Now you are considered a "No - prefers email" instead of a "Do Not Call."
Again, that's a little tricky way to handle it, but it's a desperate business.
So, do not answer that question after you have made your declaration. Better still, state clearly:
"I prefer to be sent email so I ask that you put me on the Do Not Call List."
If the telemarketer still tries the trick second question, tell that person that you already answered it.
But here is the biggest secret of this whole thing. If you say "Put me on the Do Not Call List," you are saying it to the Telemarketing company that reached you. You are not instructing the client that provides the list of patrons that we contact. So, if you tell MY company, who is calling you on behalf of American Ballet Theatre, for example, not to call again, if ABT decides to get a new company to do their telemarketing, that new group will start fresh with all of those contacts and all patrons, "Do Not Calls" included, back in the pool! This is why it's pretty much impossible to be completely removed.
People have been known to change their phone numbers over this! And also, people have given fake phone numbers when these forms are filled out. I've seen more than a few "555" phone numbers on my call logs.
Perhaps that's the best way to handle it if you don't ever want to get calls. Simply lie!
*disappears in a puff of smoke*
But there are a lot of tricks for a lot of things when it comes to various professions, and, since I don't feel the need to reveal the elements of magic that weren't spilled in that series of specials, I would cover another area I know a thing or two about: that of The World of Telemarketing!
*holds hands palms out, spreading fingers and making circular motions from the core of the body, up and outward*
*jumps up onto a proscenium stage with a colorful curtain as a backdrop*
Maybe you saw my post: How To Deal With Telemarketers and Have Both You and Them Feel Good About It! Which I wrote in 2012. It's kind of getting some new life recently as the president of the company I work for came across it and my writing skill at work, and I did a brief revision of it as a part. The company president only had a vague idea of who I was before this week, despite my being there for five years. I'll let you know what, if anything, happens between him and me as a result of him reading that piece.
And since I'm really ready to walk out that door, forever, just as I might actually be getting some quality recognition from my company, this is an ideal moment to reveal some of the stuff we do, but don't acknowledge as part of the process of dealing with our patrons. So, I think this is the first in a series.
*slips into an all black leotard and tights with matching mask, then mixes around with two other, identically dressed figures.*
*gets confused and takes off mask to check*
Oh! So, probably the one biggest question I get is "how do I get put on the 'Do Not Call List'?"
Ah. You really are starting with the Mt. Everest of secrets, aren't you? Why do you even want to get put on the Do Not Call List, anyway? Let's start with that.
*brings out a large, old fashioned, full-sized wooden phone booth, steps in, closes door, lifts receiver, checks for coins in body suit, replaces receiver, steps out.*
No, that's my legitimate question back to people who want off the call list. Because here's what happens. People say we call them a lot, and they're sick of all the calls. We might call a couple of times a week. Maybe, towards the end of a campaign, when we are running down to the last couple of hundred people we haven't reached, we might call someone a couple of times a day. And if there are people in the same household on the same calling list, then that number is going to ring off the hook until we speak to them both! Sorry!
Keep in mind, if we speak to anyone, that phone number isn't going to be called back again unless we are told a specific time to reach the patron, or at least a few days later. If it's an answering machine, however, that's free game - even though we are aware that people can check the Call logs to see who and how many times we called.
The crux of the problem occurs when people try to avoid the call. They see it's a telemarketer on their Caller ID. They don't answer. And keep in mind, other companies are also calling for other purposes. But to the patron, we're all this one group of people all trying to do the same thing and trying to get their money. So, after several days of avoiding, the reaction is to stop everything! So, the next call that comes in gets the wrath of the angst and anger, and that next call, quite often, is me!
As the person being called, all you need to do is take a couple of minutes to talk to the telemarketer and the calling is complete! Should be simple, right? But here's the other thing. Telemarketers do have magic powers. We can get people to do things they never intended to do, just by what we say! People fear that. This is a reason why people play "Pocket Veto" with the calling. If they do talk, they might give away half their bank account to all the various causes!
Believe me, I totally understand the thinking behind letting the phone jangle. But ultimately, the reason you are annoyed by the calling is rooted in what YOU are doing (or not doing - not answering) than by anything the telemarketer is doing (just trying to reach you).
Also, there is a regional influence involved in the process. Working for the Democratic National Committee, I speak with people in every one of the 50 states, The US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. And, when it comes to our friends in the Midwest, they can't quite say "no." They just don't seem to have the ability to do it! So, they'll act interested, hint that they like what you're talking about, then suggest that you call them back at a different time, and then never answer again. Or if they do, it'll be a variation of that first response.
But so far, none of this actually reveals the secret of how to get on the Do Not Call list. But why am I telling you that? You're reading this to discover the secret and you already know I haven't revealed it yet!
*tosses sparkly confetti in the air and watches it float down*
The challenge of the Do Not Call List is that different telemarketing companies handle it differently, and even the one I work for seems to have different policies at different times. So there should be an asterisk attached to this as it isn't quite definitive, but here is what I know.
You should be aware that when a telemarketer hears the word "No" from you, that person has to classify what kind of no it is. Some categories listed are: "job loss/economy," "will give later in the year," "prefers email" and the ever popular "other" to explain some special circumstance, among the list of specificities.
Just like in the tale "Ali Baba," you have to say a phrase and you have to say it right. Here is the "Open Sesame":
"Put me on the Do Not Call List."
If you don't use the words DO NOT CALL, it's highly probable you will not be removed, as saying something like "take me off the list" really doesn't acknowledge what list you mean! Yes, it's a Three Card Monte style dodge, but the point is, there's no benefit to the company to remove you from the call list. That's one less person to call, and that's one less potential pay date.
Also, if you have said the above phrase perfectly, the telemarketer may then ask you if you prefer getting email or snail mail as correspondence. If you answer that question, you have effectively countermanded your statement! In other words, if you say you prefer to be emailed information, for example, your request to not be called was erased! Now you are considered a "No - prefers email" instead of a "Do Not Call."
Again, that's a little tricky way to handle it, but it's a desperate business.
So, do not answer that question after you have made your declaration. Better still, state clearly:
"I prefer to be sent email so I ask that you put me on the Do Not Call List."
If the telemarketer still tries the trick second question, tell that person that you already answered it.
But here is the biggest secret of this whole thing. If you say "Put me on the Do Not Call List," you are saying it to the Telemarketing company that reached you. You are not instructing the client that provides the list of patrons that we contact. So, if you tell MY company, who is calling you on behalf of American Ballet Theatre, for example, not to call again, if ABT decides to get a new company to do their telemarketing, that new group will start fresh with all of those contacts and all patrons, "Do Not Calls" included, back in the pool! This is why it's pretty much impossible to be completely removed.
People have been known to change their phone numbers over this! And also, people have given fake phone numbers when these forms are filled out. I've seen more than a few "555" phone numbers on my call logs.
Perhaps that's the best way to handle it if you don't ever want to get calls. Simply lie!
*disappears in a puff of smoke*
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no subject
Date: 2014-02-19 06:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-02-20 02:44 am (UTC)When a telemarketer calls you, they are representing one organization, not all of the organizations we may represent in the various areas we service. If I called you about ABT and you asked me to put you on the Do Not Call List, we would stop calling you for American Ballet Theatre. However, if your name is on the Democratic National Committee list, we would certainly call you about that, even though we are the same company. Each client is represented separately, and there is absolutely no crossover between that.
In fact, people who have donated to DNC will get calls from Organizing For Action, The DCCC, the Dem Senate Committee EMILY's List, as a matter of course and that person would have to request Do Not Call from each one of those.
no subject
Date: 2014-02-20 03:47 am (UTC)