Aug 8, 2018
The phone is an interesting device, isn’t it? It has truly stood the test of time. In a world that currently houses such communication tools as social media accounts, messaging apps and email, the telephone remains the top way for businesses all across North America to stay in touch with their colleagues and customers.
Of course, not every telephone user is created equal. There are experts in the field of telephone communications and their skills are evidenced by some of the specific techniques they use to impress the people they speak to on the other lines.
How do phone agents endear themselves to customers they’ve never met before? Here are three ways:
1. They know when to speak and when to zip it.
Talented phone agents know that conversations are two-way streets. They make it a point to not do all the talking. Knowing that you have the attention of your callers includes hearing them out and not interrupting while they’re speaking. A back and forth dialogue is the best kind of conversation to have over the phone. It proves that your customer is engaged.
“Put yourself in the shoes of the customers – you do not want to be interrupted when you finally express your concerns, right?” asks John Taylor of Insights For Professionals, “Do not interrupt them when they are telling you their concerns. Make sure that you listen to the customer’s whole story no matter how long it can get. This alone will make them feel important.”
2. They know how to name drop the right way.
You know that thing that most people find annoying when it’s done in regular conversations? Yes, name dropping to project a sense of status can be perceived as unsavory. However, the most talented of phone agents know that dropping the names of the people they speak to over the phone is a key ingredient to their success. It expresses familiarity and friendliness. However, as Brandon Wong of CallPage explains, it’s important not to overdo it.
“Speaking on a first name basis removes barriers and builds rapport between the two parties,” he writes, “That being said, do not overuse this tactic…Use their names no more than three times in a conversation. It is a subtle, but effective technique to convey that the company is more than just a business, but a friend that can be counted on in the long run.”
3. They express empathy when necessary.
Some telemarketers fall into lulls when speaking to clients, forgetting that they are people with feelings. You’d be surprised to know how far an “I’m so sorry to hear that, I can understand your frustration” can go. Expressing empathy shows concern, respect and courteousness, none of which will go unnoticed by your customers.
“Do not tell a customer to calm down when he or she is madly complaining about a product or service as this will not help,” advises Taylor, “Instead, reassure the customer by telling them, ‘How awful’ or ‘I understand where you’re coming from’ in a slighter louder tone than the customer.”
At TK Enterprises Inc., we proudly employ a team of experienced and friendly phone agents who make our one-of-a-kind Event Marketing services so highly regarded. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about how you can take advantage of them for your jewelry store! Call us toll-free at 1-877-622-0195, email us at heidi.tke@tomkaufmann.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page and have someone contact you!
Jun 13, 2018
It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. This is an idiom we’ve all likely heard several times over. It’s one of those sayings that is absolutely true. Tone and inflection means a lot to just about everyone. There’s a way to say “Have a nice day!” that conveys a sincere wish for a person’s enjoyable experience and a way to say that exact same phrase to convey a desire to see that person live a miserable existence.
Most of us know exactly what sarcasm sounds like.
We also know what boredom, indifference and agitation sound like as well. When you’re conducting business over the phone, it couldn’t be more important for you to master the ability to convey friendliness, interest and enthusiasm through your inflections and tone of voice.
“There are ways to say things so that a customer never forgets you and your pitch — they are called hooks and tone control,” says Grant Cardone on Entrepreneur.com, “No matter what you do for a living, at some point in your career you will rely on a phone to either introduce yourself or get an appointment. Other than your commitment and attitude about success, the telephone itself will be one of the single most important tools you use in building your brand, your company, and your revenues.”
Wording plays a major role in your ability to please customers.
Sometimes, the simplest change in your wording can mean the difference between keeping a customer and losing him/her forever. For example, you’re not always going to be able to provide your customers with exactly what they’re looking for. In many cases, you’ll need to provide alternative solutions.
The go-to thing to say, for most people, falls along the lines of “I’m sorry, I can’t do that for you”. Immediately, this communicates a negative response. Although it’s not untrue, it’s just not a statement that’s going to promote the growth of your customer relationships. Instead of responding solely in the negative, try responses that provide positive outcomes such as “While I may not be able to get that item to you by tomorrow, what I can do is ship a replacement free of charge.”
Keeping it positive is a key to strong customer relationships.
CallCentreHelper.com is a big proponent for using positive words and phrases. The website champions such responses as “That’s true, Sir/Madam, but…” in order to acknowledge a customer’s concerns. “The next stage would then be to demonstrate why there is no need to be concerned,” says the site.
“We can certainly do that for you, Sir/Madam” is another suggested over-the-phone phrase from CallCentreHelper.com. “Again, this statement is assertive and ‘certainly’ is a good positive word to use,” the website notes, “This is because using words with an ‘-LY’ ending is a little-known persuasion technique that many marketing agencies have recognized. Just think of the slogans to some of your favourite brands.”
At TK Enterprises Inc., we’ve mastered the friendly phone call!
With our one-of-a-kind Event Marketing services, you can have our experienced and highly motivated callers make personal phone calls directly to your customers to invite them to your businesses events, teach them about your promotions or follow up on a recent sale.
For more information, please don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-877-622-0195. You may also email us at heidi.tke@tomkaufmann.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page and have someone contact you!
Apr 25, 2018
People who work on the phones every day are quite exceptional. Not only are they required to often go through the rigors of speaking to more than a hundred different people each day, they also must find ways to endear themselves to complete strangers. To do that, phone agents have to be masters of tone and inflection. They don’t have the luxury of facial expressions and hand to convey their messages.
At the end of the day, no matter what message is attempting to be communicated, it’s important that a phone agent is likeable. Without having the person on the other end of the line actually like the agent he/she is speaking to, the message will often get lost.
So how can you ensure that you’re super likeable on the phone? Here are three suggestions:
1. Smile before you dial.
Did you know that you can “hear” a smile through the phone? Try a little experiment for yourself. Take any written script and record yourself reading it as you would normally speak. Then read it a second time, but have a big smile on your face while doing so. Listen to the two recordings. Notice any difference? More often than not, your tone will automatically become more pleasant when you’re smiling.
On her Dental Phone Excellence Blog, Jayne Brady insists that smiles are used by dentists and their assistants when contacting their patients. “It is hard not to like a person who smiles but very easy to not like someone with no smile!” she writes, “Your patients know when you are smiling on the phone. They may not be able to see you but they can hear a smile!”
2. Do more listening than talking.
To be likeable over the phone, it’s integral that you remember that conversations are meant to be two-way streets. When you allow the person on the other line to express his/her points of view, it shows respect and an appreciation for his/her opinions. After all, the best way to serve your customers is to pinpoint their specific needs and wants. Being an active listener helps you to be an excellent customer service provider.
“Try not to interrupt or cut the other party off while carrying on a conversation,” advises Audrey Hunt on ToughNickel.com, “This is a habit that can and should be broken. Being a good listener is one of the most important rules for good communication. It takes a sincere desire and a good deal of practice to learn this skill but it can be done.”
3. Understand that chewing and chatting don’t mix!
You’d think that this tip wouldn’t be necessary. However, far too many people believe there’s no harm in leisurely chewing gum or even snacking while having their phone conversations. Don’t assume the parties on the other lines won’t notice. It should go without saying that chewing gum, eating food and drinking should be avoided when speaking on the phone.
“Never eat or chew gum while on the phone,” insists Hunt, It’s sometimes hard to understand what a person is saying with food in their mouth. Make it a practice to change this habit if you’re guilty.”
The TK Enterprises Inc. team is made up of phone agents who are masters of the above-mentioned tips. For more information about how our Event Marketing services can put our phone agents to work for your jewelry business, please don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-877-622-0195. You may also email us at heidi.tke@tomkaufmann.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page and have someone contact you!
