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Bryson Broadcasting International Newsletter

Raising Radio and TV Revenues Worldwide! 
15 May, 2021


I Just Called You: What Did I Hear?
The best opening lines I've heard
The other day I called a potential client and a real, LIVE person answered the phone. Wow, a receptionist: Not a voice mail. That in itself was a reason to mark the day on my calendar, but what happened next was even more unusual. Here's what I heard: "Good morning. How may I make your day great?" I nearly fell out of my chair. I immediately smiled and realized that by this simple phrase, she HAD made my day great.

It got me to thinking. What do YOUR clients hear when they call you? "You've reached XYZ company. If you know your person's extension, you may dial it now. Or, hang on the line for an interminable list of extensions." Or, even better, "Spell the person's last name." Or how about, "Our customer service representatives are all busy. Your wait time will be less than one hour."

I don't know about you, but my blood pressure has gone up a few notches after dealing with these scenarios. As we talk with our clients about how to entice customers back into their stores, we might want to address making it easy to connect. What happens in that initial contact can make or break what follows.

How about us? How is your station's phone answered? The person who answers the phone is often the first contact potential clients or listeners have with us. Is it positive? Do we sound like we genuinely want to solve their problem? Does the person who encounters the problem follow it through to completion or hand it off to someone else and never think about it again?

We have two sets of customers: our listeners and viewers and our advertisers. Both are important to our success.

Some great opening lines I've heard on voice mail:

"I'm so sorry I can't answer your call right now. I'm out helping my clients to make a swift recovery from last year. I'd enjoy helping you as well. If you'll leave your name and number, I'll call you back quickly."

"Sorry I missed your call. I'm out discussing with my clients how to find good, qualified employees. If you're recruiting, perhaps our stations might be of help. Leave your name and number and I'll call you back."

"Hi! You’ve reached Michelle Stubenbeck at 88.9 Shine FM and AM 700 The Light. Right now I’m out helping our clients create successful marketing campaigns. Leave me your name and number and I’ll do the same for you." (This voice mail has Toby Mac's "Feel It" playing if the person is on hold while the call transfers.)

Note that all of these focused on what the salesperson is doing for the clients. What problems are we helping them solve? We aren't out "selling radio or TV" we are out working with our clients to raise their revenue, to help them to solve their after-COVID problems.

I hope your first connection with customers will put a smile on their face. Be the ray of positivity in an uncertain world. Make it easy to connect with you. Don't lose a customer at "hello".
The Client's Corner
I will be attending the Idea Bank convention the end of this month. I am so very happy to be seeing all of you again, IN PERSON! My thanks to Will Payne and his staff for organizing this event. I'm proud to be one of the sponsors. I hope you Idea Bank people will stop by my booth so that I may shamelessly promote my services and share with you how I am helping my clients to swiftly recover from 2020. My goal is to make our sales staffs A+ players in today's competitive advertising world. We can thrive in change!
Words to Live By

“Why do extroverts have voicemail? To never miss a call.

Why do introverts have voicemail? To never answer the phone.”

A roadmap to thriving in 2021!
What people are saying about this new book:
"I've invested in Pat's books: used them in our weekly sales meetings. Pat's bi-weekly newsletter and advice have been a great source of direction for both our long-time sellers and newbees. Her 'always make it about the CLIENT' approach to media selling, even thru COVID, is what helped our company get thru the outbreak. She's a teacher, a mentor, a friend of media sales professionals literally worldwide!"

Randal J. Miller, President
Miller Media Group/Regional Radio/Hometown Illinois Radio Network
What's better than a career in sales?
Jaci Heinen
Welcome to Jaci Heinen, new account executive for Miller Media Group
One of our most successful sales teams helping clients grow.
KOFM and KGWA Enid, Ok
Enid sales Aug 2020
We want to help your staff increase revenue!

We at Bryson Broadcasting International are available to help your sales staff achieve its next level of expertise. We customize our programs to meet your needs. As needed, we make use of interpreters and produce sales materials in your language. Our training options include on line sessions done live for your staff.

If you would like to discuss your sales training needs, we may be reached at Pat@patbryson.com,

or call us at 918.810.3068. 

For more information about BBI, click here.

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