I run a one woman errand service. I've got an ad in craigslist.com I hope most of you have heard about that site.
Anyway, I received a phone call from a young woman I was excited as I'm looking for new clients. However, this lady started asking me questions such as how do people pay me - do they give me money up front - did she just need her drivers license. My light bulb went off and I point blankly asked if she was interested in hiring me or was she looking to start her own business. She was caught off guard and told me she'd be calling back as her mother was interested also.
My question is this: What is a pleasant way of telling people I'm not handing out free information on starting up their own business. I did a lot of research bought pamphlets and how to books etc and I'm not a business consultant.
After I got off the phone I found myself really pissed off!
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Louise

Unfortunately there's not much you can do about discouraging that type of person from calling you.

The only suggestion that I have is to politely go on the offensive with all callers.

In this case maybe it would have been something like this...

"Hello, thanks for calling the one woman errand service, how may I help you?"

"Umm, how do people pay you?"

"Well, I accept a couple types of payments, but before we get to that, why don't I get some information about what you need. What was your name?"

"Susan"

"Great Susan, just so I don't forget later on to ask, what's a good number to contact you?"

"555-555-5555"

"Umm, ok... now what was it you had in mind that I could help you out with?"

"How do people pay you?"

"Well, Susan, I'm open to a couple different payment forms, is there one in particular that you would like to use?"

click.

Of course, this is easier typed after the fact than while on the phone.

That being said, there's absolutely nothing to stop someone smarter than "susan" from calling up and conversing as a regular client and then just saying "well, thanks for the info, I'll get back to you tomorrow if we decide to use you".

Good luck,

Graydon
Marlin Creek
http://marlincreek.com

Ideas from Marlin Creek
http://ideas.marlincreek.com

Marlin Creek Photography
http://photo.marlincreek.com

Mako's Kitchen
http://makoskitchen.com

It could be worse, they could be constantly asking you for free samples.

I am wondering... for a call like this, would it perhaps be an idea to see if you can get yourself an extra hand; more marketing, less work. You get a piece of everything... Think expansion?

Just my thoughts.

T


Tina Brooks, VP Marketing
Brooks Pepperfire Foods, Inc.
Makers of Peppermaster Hot Sauces
http://www.peppermaster.com

Eat more peppers!