On Being a Salesman...When your not?

[MadMike]

Wow! Its been tough on me these last 3 weeks. As most of you know, I retired from the Air Force recently. Boy do I need to learn new skills to make windshield repair successful. But thats ok, its better than the alternative. 0730-1700

So I've been at this for a full 3 weeks now. The first 1 week which was really on 3 days due to finalizing. I did 5 repairs, humbling. 2nd Week again about the same as the first. This week first full week. However when I say full week Its not. You see I'm not a salesman, nor am I an early riser. Maybe some of you folks can relate. Some mornings I can stall, procrastinate like crazy till a couple hours later, I'm finally out of my car and walking the lot.

I get out of the house late in the morning. Commute a minimum of 30 minutes to some good areas. But let me tell you, my hardest thing is getting out of the car and walking the parking lot. I find it alot easier to go ask a business for fleet work. Its a little bit lower key. Still haven't got one yet though, I keep expecting a call back from Dollar Rental car all week. The loser has not returned my calls.

So after beating myself up. I went back to Coitsters Sticky on Starting your windshield repair Business on . Printed it, read it again and have literally applied most of it to myself.

At the end of the day yesterday I had a great follow up today. So last night, I finally made up a great fax to basically Sell Myself, as the Coit put it. Its 2 pages long. Introducing myself, extolling the virtues of getting the repair done ASAP. Blah, blah blah.

So this morning, i sent the fax to the fella I had a follow up for today. Go to his business, and the manager (nice looking professional gal) tells me he is out till next tuesday. In my mind I'm thinking, Rats I sure don't want to start all over today. She then tells me, "I received your fax today, and remember Yesterday when you asked if you could repair my car, I told you know because one of our customers was going to take care of it. Well I changed my mind. I want you to fix it today! Then another lady comes out and asks "Is the the windshield repair guy? I have on too, can you fix mine?". Then a guy comes out and says the same thing. Needless to say it was a great way to start my day. Plus I have followups at the same business for next week.

Like Coitster says. The letter works. I struggle at this Sales stuff. The letter is a great tool. Especially if your not really a salesman, like me.

So for an encourageing word to any new folks. Go read that sticky again.

PS: on a side note, I used that technique that was in a earlier post. Drilling and tapping a mini bull. Worked great. I had tried to fill it, and it wouldn't fill, so this technique saved that one.

[MadMike]

I messed my PS up at the bottom. I was talking about post that discussed drilling and tapping a mini bull on small batwings.

[screenman]

Keep at it remember the days like this will in time outnumber the negative ones. just be a nice person and make those customers look foreward to seeing you. I am glad you took up on the batwing tip it shows you are willing to learn which is something you will always be doing in this trade.

[GlassStarz]

You dont have to work alot of hours I have been averaging 4-6 a day and start after 11 and am always home by 4 I have the sales pitch down to where I close 30-50% I probably will go back to working a carwash location this winter to avoid driving all over the place in the bad weather but next winter I plan on being where its warm
Congrats on the retirement I did my 4 in the USAF as a Photo lab/Intel with the SR71 (9th SRW) Kadena/Beal/Mildenhall would be drawing that retiree check if I had stayed in sometimes wonder why I didnt

[MadMike]

Again thanks fellas for the encouragement. GlassStarz looks like you at least had some good assignments. Not sure about Beale, but I've always liked Mildenhall, and always heard good reports about Kadena. Myself....Ramstein 4yrs, Seymour Johnson 4yrs, Osan 1 yr, Hill 6, Lajes Field 2, Vandenberg 4, Peterson 10 months.

I'm hesitant to go inside a Realtors Office any tips on the approach. Or just use the same approach. I know they are some busy folks, I'm just hesitant (ok chicken) to bother them. I have lots of realtors around here.

[GlassStarz]

I find the realtor to me very receptive and they never have time to do it at a glass shop. Did one for Cathy Obrien (Survivor finalist) at her office and ended up doing three more at the same office the next week word of mouth works

[Coitster]

Mike,
Great to hear that the letter worked for you. Most people just don't realize that a letter is basicly salemanship in print. I love them, and I am glad its working for you. BTW don't give up, make sure you keep at it. You will find that the more people you talk to the better you will get. Way to go man.
David
Coitster