It had to happen sooner or later, yet this still surprised me.
We have all gotten those calls, the ones that start out with a recording. Pretty standard procedures of highly automated sales companies.
However, the call I received was a little different. It was more interactive than the usual canned recordings, so I stayed on the call to see what I could learn.
We got through the usual first recording, and at first, I thought I had a live person. Surprise! I had another, albeit a more advanced and interactive, recording.
Intrigued, I hung in there until they connected me to a live person. Or they said it was a live person.
“She” started the conversation and I asked slightly off-topic questions in an attempt to determine if I finally had a live person. Her answers were inconclusive, so I asked outright if this was a live person. “Yes”, was the quick response, followed by a question inquiring why I wanted to know.
I described my first experiences and asked again if this was a real live person. A factual answer lacking any kind of emotion came back assuring me it was a person.
I asked how I would know for sure and suddenly the voice told me to have a nice day and hung up. A little too smooth for a real person. She was Busted!
This is just the tip of the iceberg as there is surely more to follow.
As a small business owner in the fitness environment, you will soon be pitched by companies telling you they can fully automate your marketing and get you all kinds of leads.
Not so fast!
You may also be tempted to use AI as a way to streamline your intake process for people initially contacting you about your services.
Again, not so fast!
AI is here to stay, and it will evolve quickly into more and more streamlined and seamless parts of our lives.
But for now, when the phone rings today, separate yourself from the crowd with a live operator or a recording followed up by a live return call.
As AI evolves and grows through its developmental stages, a personal services business can distinguish itself from the masses, by simply providing personal services, from the beginning to the end of the customer’s journey.
Stick with the basics, your unique value proposition, and stick with your sales presentation outline. Ask the clarifying questions that only another human could ask. Listen with empathy and present your solution for solving the prospect’s challenges
Show that you truly care in a world that seems to care less and less on a personal level. Your ranks of delighted customers will swell in response.
If you really want to grow, this might be an option for you.
Interested in more ways to grow your business in an ever-changing world? Get on my calendar for more details.
