No One Answers the Phone: Why the Decline of Phone Calls Matters

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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 isn’t. It’s 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. 

Moreover, the same survey revealed that only 4% of the respondents don’t 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, it’s 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. 

Here’s what to keep in mind…

Phone Calls Are Inflexible, Disruptive & Presumptuous

Most people despise taking phone calls, especially when they’re 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:

Unfortunately, one or both of these don’t 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? They’re time-consuming!

And that’s 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 don’t have that luxury with phone calls.

Let’s Face It—Sales Calls Are Annoying

Be honest—you’ve 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, it’s an annoyance when you get an unexpected call. It’s a trivial reason, but it’s an important one. 

Millennials Prefer Other Methods of Communication

It’s ironic that millennials—the generation that spends a great deal of their day on their phones—hate 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. There’s always the possibility of someone else eavesdropping on your phone calls, which isn’t the case with texts, emails, and chats. That’s 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 doesn’t have time for outdated technology.

To the point above, it’s the millennials who believe that phone calls are—and will become—irrelevant. That’s why they are known as the “generation mute.” 

What’s the Solution to Combat the Decline of Phone Calls?

Businessman in modern office holding glasses in hand and looking at laptop while thinking.

If you’re 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 hasn’t 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, it’s true. That’s why it is best to focus on social selling instead.

Since information is now readily accessible online, it’s 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 you’re 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, it’s 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. 

There’s no reason to dwell on making sales pitches over the phone if your target audience does not respond to it. If you’re going to stick with this method, it needs to be targeted and well planned to be beneficial, especially in this day and age. 

 


At Viral Solutions we are committed to seeing YOU succeed. It is our goal to grow your business with proven digital marketing strategies that will help your business for the long haul.

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Filed Under: Business Tips