Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

Asking for a Review

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Hank at the Vet!We took Hank to the vet last week for a check up and to get established with a new vet. I got an email today thanking me for my visit and a quick thumbs up/thumbs down asking me how I’d rate my visit. They got a thumbs up (the notes said “Hank is a great dog!” obviously I love them) and I was sent to a thank you landing page that so perfectly and politely asks for reviews and more information I couldn’t help but share.

Here’s what I love:

  • Options – I don’t have to write a review on Yelp, I can write it where I want to
  • Explanation– they’re right, I look online at reviews and it IS important. No hiding it, it’s a fact!
  • Simple– yes there’s 3 options, but it’s obvious what the page is for and it’s not overwhelming, and it’s not forcing me to do anything if I don’t want to

We all know the importance of reviews and online testimonials for our businesses, but how do you ask for them without sounding desperate or trolling? I think this is one great example of how to do this. Have you seen other examples you like?

Is Door to Door Sales Dead?

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no soliciting sign
let’s be honest here…

I work from home, and I’m surprised how rarely someone comes to my door to sell me something. Sure UPS and FedEx stop by. I get the occasional religious group popping by, and I get door knockers from pizza places, housekeepers, etc. But I don’t remember the last time someone stopped by to introduce themselves or sell me something, until today.

I was eating lunch and watching the news when someone knocked at the door. I figured it was UPS so I wasn’t in a rush to get the door, and I opened up to find my new friendly Edward Jones agent introducing himself to the neighbors. I thought it was interesting and wondered how the process was going since a lot of neighbors aren’t home on a weekday but lunchtime was a smart move, and he’s been talking to the family across the street for a good 5 minutes now, so he must be on to something…

Door to door sales worked for years, and it’s a forgotten method now. As a financial planner who’s office is new to the neighborhood he’s smart to do this. He’s not pitching his business as much as just introducing himself to the neighborhood. If he’d spent the money on a mailer to the neighbors would he have the same ROI? Maybe, but I suspect I’ll be running into him in the future around the neighborhood. Smart move dude…

How to Lose Clients and Alienate Your Brand

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urgent!Yesterday I got an email from my client forwarding me an ad pitch they received. For my clients who advertise I often am the point person to discuss the benefits, demographics, etc. So when my client sent me the email I reviewed it and couldn’t believe what I was reading…

I would like to offer you some serious discounts in advertising to have you involved. We have always had a XXX in our publication and have just vacated that space as the XXX that was there was having some difficulties with their advertising (they were being sued) and had to stop.

First off, YEAH. Are you kidding me? Sure let me give you a lot of money and if for some reason we stop you’ll talk crap all over town. They didn’t mention the previous advertiser by name, but if we take a look at a previous issue, it’ll be obvious who it is. CLASSY. Second, if you’re giving us a serious discount then that means the ad is only worth that much and we won’t be jumping to pay full price in the future. Third (and totally minor compared to the rest of this), but this publication is NOT our demographic and not a good fit.

And of course they end with my FAVORITE sales tactic:

Let me know if you have any interest in taking this offer and filling this place, you are the first XXX I have offered this to. Please let me know either way asap as I would love to fill this space swiftly.

Urgency. It doesn’t work for me. Your need/desire for a quick turn around is not my problem. I won’t be dropping everything so you can make your sale quota for the month. It’s too bad your previous advertiser is getting sued, but since you told me, there’s no way I’ll ever advertise with you.