More cold calling lately?

[urquell]

In the last year I've had exactly two cold calls, both from the same woman, saying "Hi, how are you, haven't seen you in a while, whatcha doin'?" type calls, trolling for business. Someone I know well enough that she might just write to say hi on occasion anyway. I'd answer back and she'd say"well, everything's fine except that it's a bit quiet.....". So of course she's trolling for business in a friendly way. In the past two weeks I'd had three of these types of cold calls from three different women (yes, including the first one I mentioned). Of course I suppose it's normal to have a post holiday slump in January, but I've never gotten so many in such a short period in years past, even in January. I'm wondering whether it's just an anomaly I should just ignore or whether others among you are also seeing an uptick in these types of calls. Is it slowing down more than normal this year compared to previous years?

 

[Gazoo64]

^^^^
There is a lady I see regularly that texts me from time to time. She asks how it’s going and letting me know her availabilities for the week. I feel like it’s done in a nice way.

We have good chemistry, we text each other from time to time. So she is just reaching to see how it’s going when planning her week, and sort of giving first chance to book her.

I didn’t notice a big change after the holidays. Like you mentioned, it’s normal to have a post-holiday slump in January. But I’m not sure if it’s worse than in the past.

Maybe others can weigh in.

 

[Fradi]

I don’t really have any cold calls but then again I see the same ladies, and we communicate on a regular basis like friends do so I don’t consider it cold calling. I am always happy to hear from them and enjoy their emails or texts.

 

[Mandouke]

In the last year I've had exactly two cold calls, both from the same woman, saying "Hi, how are you, haven't seen you in a while, whatcha doin'?" type calls, trolling for business. Someone I know well enough that she might just write to say hi on occasion anyway. I'd answer back and she'd say"well, everything's fine except that it's a bit quiet.....". So of course she's trolling for business in a friendly way. In the past two weeks I'd had three of these types of cold calls from three different women (yes, including the first one I mentioned). Of course I suppose it's normal to have a post holiday slump in January, but I've never gotten so many in such a short period in years past, even in January. I'm wondering whether it's just an anomaly I should just ignore or whether others among you are also seeing an uptick in these types of calls. Is it slowing down more than normal this year compared to previous years?

That is a very interesting observation, it lends credence to the tightening of the market. I do not think that it is an anomaly but rather the reality of fewer discretionary dollars that many have in their pocketbooks. The ladies know this as they are on the front lines. The same flock of birds will peck away at each other for the scattered spilt seed on the pavement - no pun intended.

What was that term my economics profs used to talk about often......oh yes.... the opportunity cost of one item over the alternative and the value derived. I think this is the reality for many of us hobbyists now and that SPs are feeling the pinch and will feel it some more as things worsen. They know this too.

By the way, I have had a similar cold call experience, twice in the past week.

 

[Jaxan]

Isn't it typically slower this time of year, in general? Colder weather, right after the holidays, less tourism.

 

[Lunaseraphim]

Is cold calling inappropriate in your opinion? I really rarely do it, unless a client wanted to see me and wasn't able to for a while and I have more free time. I always wonder if it's okay to do it, or not. I can imagine that for some clients it could be annoying to randomly hear from a provider, but some others are happy to hear from us.

Things are not slower than usual for this time of the year for me, last year I spent 3 weeks without seeing any clients in late january but it was pretty much on purpose. Valentine's day month typically brings back some business but obviously the last 2 weeks of january are not the best.

 

[Johnny test]

i usually text or use emails, never ever call, so i've never been called back, would be pissed if that would happen.
i've received some follow up emails from time to time but nothing problematic, as a matter of fact it can be nice.
That being said i don't think i'm a big enough client for this kind of effort.
I'm assuming you receive phone calls because you initiate the conversations this way

 

[Giselle Montreal]

i usually text or use emails, never ever call, so i've never been called back, would be pissed if that would happen.
I'm assuming you receive phone calls because you initiate the conversations this way

A cold call means being contacted without soliciting it, it's not necessarily a "phone call".

 

[urquell]

Is cold calling inappropriate in your opinion? I really rarely do it, unless a client wanted to see me and wasn't able to for a while and I have more free time. I always wonder if it's okay to do it, or not. I can imagine that for some clients it could be annoying to randomly hear from a provider, but some others are happy to hear from us.

Things are not slower than usual for this time of the year for me, last year I spent 3 weeks without seeing any clients in late january but it was pretty much on purpose. Valentine's day month typically brings back some business but obviously the last 2 weeks of january are not the best.

No, not really a problem at all. I just found it odd that it usually happens so rarely but that recently there seemed to be a large (relatively) uptick in people reaching (3 in 2 weeks being a lot) Since it seems that at least Mandouke has received more contact lately too just wondering if it was becoming a trend. It's not intrusive if it"s not done too often though, and of course depending on the relationship you have may never be intrusive if contact is not via a voice call. (again depending on relationship)

i usually text or use emails, never ever call, so i've never been called back, would be pissed if that would happen.
i've received some follow up emails from time to time but nothing problematic, as a matter of fact it can be nice.
That being said i don't think i'm a big enough client for this kind of effort.
I'm assuming you receive phone calls because you initiate the conversations this way

When I mentioned "cold calling" I also meant "cold texting" (if that's actually a word). Almost all of my contacts are via text as well. By cold calling I just meant the SP reaching out to you on an unsolicited basis, not necessarily a phone call. I would likely find phone calls intrusive too.

 

[T'storm]

I'm a married man and do have 1 regular lady that I see. We have good communication and she know what I do for living. So if she does want to communicate with me she will use my real name and ask about certain things about my work(you can call it code). If I reply with work related stuff it's because my wife is around and I can't talk, but if it's about hobby stuff we are clear to talk about whatever. She is on my phone as a contact under a guys name so no suspicion from the wife, and besides that she uses her personal phone to do it.

 

[Mandouke]

Is cold calling inappropriate in your opinion?

No, not at all. However, the discretion usually practised in this business has me questioning the motives.

The ladies I see regularly know that I am single, without a wife or girlfriend. Therefore, they are comfortable in knowing that I am okay with this.

 

[User_9]

Yes, I did get texts throughout 2024 from a few massage providers that I hadn't seen in a while asking when I'd like to book again. I can't remember getting any in 2023. I have been told by a couple already this year that business has slowed down, so I imagine there will be more cold calling happening.

 

[Johnny test]

When I mentioned "cold calling" I also meant "cold texting" (if that's actually a word)

i took it a bit too literally i hate talking on the phone.

 

[PSEfreak]

Cold calling / texting should not be happening. You can potentially put the recipient in a terrible spot.
I can understand why an SP would want to do it but it should be discouraged.

 

[energystar15]

This is exactly why I use a phone app and log off every time I'm home and only sign in to make an appointment or see if I have any replies

 

[Lunaseraphim]

Cold calling / texting should not be happening. You can potentially put the recipient in a terrible spot.
I can understand why an SP would want to do it but it should be discouraged.

Yeah that's what I was thinking about as well.. I've had clients tell me they like it if I reach out between dates but it doesn't seem like a good idea to just text any client.

 

[Johnny test]

i took it a bit too literally i hate talking on the phone.

Also doest the expression only works in winter? is that "hot calling" in august?

 

[Lunaseraphim]

No, not at all. However, the discretion usually practised in this business has me questioning the motives.

The ladies I see regularly know that I am single, without a wife or girlfriend. Therefore, they are comfortable in knowing that I am okay with this.

That's what I was thinking. I've only done it a couple times and it was because the client said I could

 

[urquell]

That's what I was thinking. I've only done it a couple times and it was because the client said I could

maybe the easy solution is to ask each client if it's ok if you check in once in a while just to say hi (infrequently though). They may even be flattered, and you'll know for sure that it won't be intrusive to them. Good marketing too.

I mean, who doesn't want to get a friendly greeting from a pretty girl?

 

[Lunaseraphim]

maybe the easy solution is to ask each client if it's ok if you check in once in a while just to say hi (infrequently though). They may even be flattered, and you'll know for sure that it won't be intrusive to them. Good marketing too.

I mean, who doesn't want to get a friendly greeting from a pretty girl?

I think to me it's felt appropriate to reach out when it's been really difficult to find a time in both our schedules to book. But yea I wouldn't do this if the client wasn't a regular