I Made the Right Call!
On Monday, I received a gig request through Thumbtack. In case you're not familiar with Thumbtack, it's an online agency that contains a database that aids in helping you find new customers. It's a very simple process.
You fill out an online form describing your business and they match your skills to what potential client's are looking for. If it looks like you're a fit, they contact you and then you respond with a custom quote and work out details with the customer. There is a small fee to bid on the jobs, but it's usually pretty reasonable.
So, this particular request was for a last minute music gig. The client decided he wanted live music for his employee appreciation party. I received a Thumbtack request, and immediately upon submitting my bid, his contact information was revealed.
I usually wait a few hours before calling a potential client to give them a chance to check their email and get back to me. But something told me I should call this guy as soon as possible. So I did.
Turns out, about 7 others had responded to his request. By TEXT MESSAGE. In fact, he was in the middle of hiring one of the respondents when I interrupted with a phone call.
After speaking to him briefly, he admitted he was in the middle of negotiations by text and about to hire someone else, but he prefers talking to people on the phone over texting, so... I got the job!
The next day, at the gig, Pete (the client) and I were talking about the difference between phoning and texting. He said he was amazed that out of about 7 people who responded to his ad, I was the only one who called. All the others sent text messages.
Well, there you have it... another instance where the old school method still works better than modern technology.
Looks like I made the right call!
Your pal,
Recent Comments
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Oh, I did. It was the very next day and went extremely well. I usually enjoy all of my gigs!
Congratulations, it is true that the old school way does still work in our high technology world . I have seen websites in some industries outside of the internet that I know the customer wants to hear a voice and talk to a human but have no phone contact or constant voice mail recording .
I love this. You have made my day. I refuse to text anymore.
Reasons? I like to hear the sound of a persons voice before I can tell if they are genuine or not. Pretty simple
Love your story. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, a human voice reveals a lot more than texts. DOn't get me wromg, there are times when SMS is called for, but in this case - nope!
Hi Hal, I don't think you can beat personal contact, but then I have a pen and a notepad! Sue :)
I still think the pen is mightier than the keyboard. Especially where there's no power supply :-)
seems to talk on the phone or face-to-face is a lost art, the millennials will sit at a table and instead of talking to each will text---it's the lost art of communication
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Great info, didn't know Thumbtack could get you music gigs.I will try this.
This confirms what I've always believed, nothing is more personable than an old-fashioned direct phone call.
Nicely done!