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With the rise of mobile apps and online shopping, most of us now rely on our smartphones as part of our daily routine. Yet, it seems like these days, no one answers the phone anymore…
Communication is a wonder, indeed. Individuals and businesses rely on their phones to call, text, or chat. But is it the end of the road for the use of phone communication when it comes to reaching prospective clients and customers?
Discover how the decline of phone calls happened and what this future trend holds for businesses that rely on them for sales and marketing purposes.
Is Cold Calling Dead? What Do the Stats Say?
Yes, cold calling is dead, according to recent cold calling statistics. But calling itself isnât. Itâs just a matter of doing it right and avoiding the dreaded unsolicited call.
A survey published by Zipwhip has shown some compelling data that provides insight into why no one answers the phone and what can be done about it.
- 87% of respondents ignore calls from unknown numbers
- 39% say itâs hard to answer the phone since they are busy
- 22% say phone calls take too long
- 31% donât feel like talking on a phone
- 30% find phone calls intrusive
- 30% say that they prefer other methods of communication
Moreover, the same survey revealed that only 4% of the respondents donât find phone calls intrusive. It is a small percentage, no doubt. However, if you can transform the decline of phone calls into an opportunity to improve your approach, you might be able to see better results.
Why No One Answers the Phone These Days
According to experts, the simplest way to answer this question is to understand the ethics of marketing. When no one answers the phone, itâs because the person on the other side has their own motivations.
The ability to understand those motivations and identify boundaries can be critical to your success in mastering the art of selling and lead generation.
Hereâs what to keep in mind…
Phone Calls Are Inflexible, Disruptive & Presumptuous
Most people despise taking phone calls, especially when theyâre in the middle of something and the call is unexpected. A phone call can easily throw you off your groove when you're working.
If you do respond to a call, it will take at least 10 to 20 minutes to get your focus back. These days, nobody has the luxury of those extra minutes!
In addition, phone calls are presumptuous. The person making the call expects one of two things:
- The reason for calling is extremely urgent.
- The other person is free and doesnât mind the interruption.
Unfortunately, one or both of these donât always apply. This is why no one answers the phone and why they are dismayed when they accept the call.
Calls Take Up More Time than Other Methods of Communication
On average, an email takes a few minutes to read and respond to. The same goes for text. But phone calls? Theyâre time-consuming!
And thatâs another reason why people hate taking phone calls. When a cold call is made, the caller has a spiel prepared to introduce themselves and the reason for calling. But as courteous as they try to be, the recipient gets annoyed when their time is taken up listening to an unsolicited call.
One more thing: Phone calls have this sense of immediacy to them. You can always have the option to read and respond to an email or text at your most convenient time. You donât have that luxury with phone calls.
Letâs Face ItâSales Calls Are Annoying
Be honestâyouâve probably rolled your eyes more than once after picking up the phone and realizing it was a sales call.
In a day and age when people are leading busy lives and are constantly on the go, itâs an annoyance when you get an unexpected call. Itâs a trivial reason, but itâs an important one.
Millennials Prefer Other Methods of Communication
Itâs ironic that millennialsâthe generation that spends a great deal of their day on their phonesâhate taking phone calls.
According to Entrepreneur, 75% of millennials avoid phone calls because they are time-consuming. But aside from that, what other reasons do millennials have for disliking phone calls?
Another reason no one answers the phone is lack of privacy. Thereâs always the possibility of someone else eavesdropping on your phone calls, which isnât the case with texts, emails, and chats. Thatâs why phone calls fall last in their list of preferences when it comes to methods of communication.
In a World of So Many Options, Phone Calls Are Antiquated
Although there is a growing reliance on smartphones these days, phone calls are considered antiquated tools for marketing or sales communication. And the modern consumer doesnât have time for outdated technology.
To the point above, itâs the millennials who believe that phone calls areâand will becomeâirrelevant. Thatâs why they are known as the âgeneration mute.â
Whatâs the Solution to Combat the Decline of Phone Calls?
If youâre a business professional trying to get people to answer your call, it can be frustrating when no one answers the phone. But like most hurdles in a business, the only way to overcome the problem is to think creatively.
Avoid unsolicited calls and robocalls. That hasnât and will never work! Instead, try the following techniques…
1) Engage in Social Selling
Cold calling. The mere mention of these words is enough to send a shiver down your spine.
For decades, cold calling has been portrayed as unethical and old-fashioned. To some extent, itâs true. Thatâs why it is best to focus on social selling instead.
Since information is now readily accessible online, itâs easier for salespeople to gather details about a prospect before their first point of contact. You can begin by looking them up on social so that you can get a grasp of who they are and what they like.
Try not to be too creepy about it or risk scaring off potential leads. The goal is to establish a social connection with the prospect. This will enable you to connect with them on a personal and social level before you make the sales pitch.
2) Use Email
You can address the issue of why no one answers the phone by breaking the ice first through email correspondence. Unlike phone calls, email is less invasive. It also enables you to introduce yourself in more depth than doing that in the first few minutes of your initial phone call.
As long as you provide value in your emails, it won't annoy the recipient, and you can gain multiple contact points that way before making a call.
3) Get Creative
You need to do the legwork if you want to make a successful sales pitch. In addition to corresponding via email, you can also establish rapport by sending a small gift that will make you stand out. Think outside of the box and do something different.
4) Use Digital Marketing Tactics Instead of Calling
Last but not least, if youâre frustrated when no one answers the phone, it might be time to consider other methods of marketing your business. The digital marketing landscape offers a broader range of options to help get the word out about your brand.
You can leverage the knowledge and expertise of digital marketing experts like Viral Solutions to find the best tactic to use, such as social media, SEO, influencer marketing, and paid advertising.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach for any business, so you need to consult with experts on the best methods to implement for your company.
Final Thoughts
When no one answers the phone, itâs not the end of the road for your business or sales and marketing efforts. You must learn the art of listening to customers so you can give them what they want.
Thereâs no reason to dwell on making sales pitches over the phone if your target audience does not respond to it. If youâre going to stick with this method, it needs to be targeted and well planned to be beneficial, especially in this day and age.
