SAAFE forum
General Category => Questions and Answers => Topic started by: TheChemist on 05 August 2014, 09:59:06 am
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My phone has been ringing off the hook lately. Which I'm slightly ambivalent about because I don't work very much and hate speaking on the phone to "punters"
Does anyone follow a general script? I keep getting flustered and missing things out. Luckily, since returning I've had no no-shows or TWs so I'm doing ok, but I feel all jittery when the phone rings! Am I mad?! :-\
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No you're not mad but I know how nervous I felt when I started. Luckily I'm OK speaking on the phone and I insist on speaking to every "punter" before confirming a booking. It's part of my security routine cos I find I get a feel for what he's going to be like.
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I agree with Melissa, I have to speak to my potential clients, I don't take bookings via email or respond to texts.
I would recommend being friendly but still keep an air of business.
If a client asks "what do you offer?" I ask him "what are you looking for?" if its something I do we then go on to arrange a time for a booking.
I tell them the area I'm in and give them the post code and to call me on arrival.
Don't be afraid to relax and be friendly.
Here's a little tip.... after giving him your post code and some general directions ask him to repeat back to you your postcode, if they can't they didn't write it down so they will be a TW.
Simples x
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Just write down what you want to say. They can't see you through phone. Makes it a lot easier too. And I do what Helen does and ask them to repeat postcode back, that is a good marker IMO of their intent.
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Hi.
Not sure it's relevant but also I try to "smile" over the phone. They can "hear" you smile and it puts off pressure you/they may feel.
I always get one second of panic when I pick up. Mostly they say "hello, is this Charlotte?" Once I said yes, if they say "I've found your number..." bla bla bla I say "good for you" and laugh a bit and it breaks the ice.
And laughing doesn't keep you from being professional about the business.
Also: I think the good thing about picking up is you get to hear their voice. I'm convinced when a guy is creepy you can hear it over the phone.
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What do you say if the guy is creepy/weird? Just that you're not available and then block his number?
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What do you say if the guy is creepy/weird? Just that you're not available and then block his number?
Ten times yes. I say "oh sorry could I ring you back in a second?" Creepy ones often get upset about this so I say "my phone is dying, let me plug it in". And bbbbblock!
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If I don't like sound of them I just say I'm busy up till such and such a time. If they want to get back to me after this time then do so ..... And block or mark against name.
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Certain simple questions can give away a TW too. Usually when they book they mention how long they want. If they don't I ask them (sometimes forget but not often). Today I had a decent sounding one, I asked at the end how long would you like, he paused then said oh I don't know. How long do you do ::) (Similar responses have happened a few times). It was from AW and I said have you not read prices and times etc he said he couldn't get onto the prices page ::) I knew then of course he was a TW. I said 'so how do you know how much money to bring with you. I could charge ?500 an hour for all you know.' I said please read and phone back. He didn't of course but I had blocked anyway.
If they say can they have half hr and then possibly extend then that is perfectly ok. You can of course get TWs who Do know all the details though ;)
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My phone has been ringing off the hook lately. Which I'm slightly ambivalent about because I don't work very much and hate speaking on the phone to "punters"
Does anyone follow a general script? I keep getting flustered and missing things out. Luckily, since returning I've had no no-shows or TWs so I'm doing ok, but I feel all jittery when the phone rings! Am I mad?! :-\
Practice makes perfect. I started off with a check list of things to ask which I stuck on the wall, but now the routine comes naturally and I don't need it. I avoid the ones that start asking lots of questions and that's why I made the list so that I could control the conversations more.
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My phone has been ringing off the hook lately. Which I'm slightly ambivalent about because I don't work very much and hate speaking on the phone to "punters"
Does anyone follow a general script? I keep getting flustered and missing things out. Luckily, since returning I've had no no-shows or TWs so I'm doing ok, but I feel all jittery when the phone rings! Am I mad?! :-\
Practice makes perfect. I started off with a check list of things to ask which I stuck on the wall, but now the routine comes naturally and I don't need it. I avoid the ones that start asking lots of questions and that's why I made the list so that I could control the conversations more.
Care to enlighten us as to what you have on your list?
Xx
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My phone has been ringing off the hook lately. Which I'm slightly ambivalent about because I don't work very much and hate speaking on the phone to "punters"
Does anyone follow a general script? I keep getting flustered and missing things out. Luckily, since returning I've had no no-shows or TWs so I'm doing ok, but I feel all jittery when the phone rings! Am I mad?! :-\
Practice makes perfect. I started off with a check list of things to ask which I stuck on the wall, but now the routine comes naturally and I don't need it. I avoid the ones that start asking lots of questions and that's why I made the list so that I could control the conversations more.
Care to enlighten us as to what you have on your list?
Xx
I'd like to know too! I get so edgy when I know BF isn't here in case things go wrong. I'm sure the nerves will subside soon.
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I'd like to know too! I get so edgy when I know BF isn't here in case things go wrong. I'm sure the nerves will subside soon.
I'm always telling myself that this is just a phone. It won't bite.
And also if you really feel panicking, you can always say "could I call you back in a minute"? I believe a nice serious guy will perfectly understand.
And when it comes to creepy guys seriously, it's not important how you end the conversation anyway. I once was talking to a guy, I knew right from the voice he wasn't ok. I tried my "phone dying" method, he wouldn't let it go. I just said "ok, I'm going to hang up now". And I did.
Just think you can ALWAYS hang up;)
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I just try and make sure I get all the details - name, where, when, how long for. Anything else is just extra stuff.
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I'm pretty phone phobic (Strawberry Fields will know I'm always ignoring my personal phone) so I try to keep them really short, just a few minutes. It helps if you say at the start "I need to dash off soon so this will have to be short". I answer with "Hello, you've reached BlueDomme, would you like to book a session?" and that starts the conversation off on a professional, business a focused note.
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I'm pretty phone phobic (Strawberry Fields will know I'm always ignoring my personal phone) so I try to keep them really short, just a few minutes. It helps if you say at the start "I need to dash off soon so this will have to be short". I answer with "Hello, you've reached BlueDomme, would you like to book a session?" and that starts the conversation off on a professional, business a focused note.
Pretty phone phobic is an understatement! I'm one of her closest friends and she still barely picks my calls up >_< but if she can still manage it I guess anyone can. I'd imagine it has something to do with putting on that "persona". I know when I answer my phone as work me it's different from personal me... I mean we're the same person, but the way I act will change when taking a booking...
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The problem I sometimes have with it is if someone asks to make an appointment and I say yes I have time then during the call I think he's a creep and change my mind. Can be a bit awkward but I say something like oh actually I have someone booked shortly after so it might be a bit too close, or that I'm out, hoping they don't then say ok a bit later then.
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I agree with Melissa, I have to speak to my potential clients, I don't take bookings via email or respond to texts.
I would recommend being friendly but still keep an air of business.
If a client asks "what do you offer?" I ask him "what are you looking for?" if its something I do we then go on to arrange a time for a booking.
I tell them the area I'm in and give them the post code and to call me on arrival.
Don't be afraid to relax and be friendly.
Here's a little tip.... after giving him your post code and some general directions ask him to repeat back to you your postcode, if they can't they didn't write it down so they will be a TW.
Simples x
Good advice, I also refer them back to my AW profile if they start to ask too many questions.
Sarah x x x
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God yes, this describes me perfectly!
I only talk to my mum and one friend on the phone and when it comes to work I really have to gear myself up for it.
Lots of wonderful advice here so I think I'm going to go with the list method and get over my fear :)
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Thank goodness it's not just me! I don't even like speaking with my mum.
I'm going to write a list and face my fears!