The Reach Back
Business owners of any sized firm are flooded with solicitations or sales outreach. People selling everything from loans to cell phone service to commercial office cleaning. At times, my email seems to be a repository for such topics. I often wonder how many firms actually reach back or respond.
Recently, an important caller could not get through to my cell phone. However, that same day I received at least 10 outright SPAM calls. I was able to determine that somehow my phone had been set to Do Not Disturb. This allowed callers in my contact list to get through as well as Spammers but not a legitimate caller not in my contact list. It was most frustrating. Somehow, the professional salespeople and spammers have the technology to bypass certain technology gates. Most of us do not.
One of the key items I look at when I am contacted via text or email is the email address they provide for a response. Nearly all have a free email. That is my key identifier and will never receive a response from me. If the solicitor does not have a legitimate company email address, chances are very high the legitimacy of the contact is questionable.
The other key item I check for is an email signature. Most professionals in life their title, the name, address, phone number and website of their company in their email signature. It has become expected professional etiquette. It gives the reader critical information to help identify the contact. I use this as a gauge all the time. Protect yourself from scam artists and question why someone does not have an informative email signature. You should and you should expect the same from anyone reaching out to you, unsolicited.
The next time you receive a text or email from a unknown source, check their legitimacy by looking for a descriptive email signature and company sponsored email address. Periodically, these solicitations can be something more than an annoying effort to build up your junk mail folder. If even one of these pans out to be a source of new business or a way to help your business grow, the reach back may be warranted.
Be well.
