How do I introduce myself? Where do I begin?
So the biggest question I had many years ago was that do I introduce myself as the manufacturer or the business partner. I experimented on both and I welcome you to do so too, but the answer is “it doesn’t really make a difference”. I’ll explain - there are times it does help - as the corporate name of a larger company gives you some clout, but most of the time the customer really has no concern on who you are - but go ahead and experiment for yourself. A word of caution: When you do introduce yourself as the manufacturer - it might get you in a little bit of trouble as if they were to check on you and don’t find you - they might not trust you enough to go ahead and do business with you. And they can easily find you given the digital age we are in - and if they can’t find you - they might assume you’re not real!
The other thing I tend to do is be very upfront with them - if you found them on Linkedin - try and reference something about them from their profile and weave it in the conversation. Once, I was researching an account and found a person that I really thought was the right fit - and I called him up with the following starter, “Hi _____, I came across your profile and it got me really intrigued to thinking that since you are involved with ______ and thought that you might be considering _____ as a future step towards your company’s overall growth”.
When you start a conversation like that from a genuine standpoint, you start a meaningful relationship. This is the relationship you take with you as you start to nurture the customer. Also, while doing this they’ll notice that you are being genuine and will continue to talk with you. Plus your approach - while not taken by many - will keep them more interested in the conversation.
Always make sure that you trust your gut instincts. If you feel you are connecting to the person - you probably are, if you are not - call it out and make mention of it. Feel free to say “I apologize, I may not be communicating the information properly on my end - I meant to say ____” - and finish the sentence in the most simplified terms. Being genuine is what they’ll enjoy and appreciate you for - even if they have no way of taking your call forward - you never know they might not of a way to connect you to the right person / department.
Thank you and best of luck!
