How To Make A Follow-up Call In English
Whether you’re furthering your career in sales or applying for a brand-new job, the follow-up call is going to be an important part of that process. So it is important to know how to make a follow-up call in English. After you have gathered so much courage to make the first call, you might think that the follow-up call would be much easier. In fact, the opposite is true. In today’s blog, we’re focusing on tips to make sure that your follow-up calls are both effective and productive, no matter if you’re making it or receiving it.
1. Lay the Groundwork In the First Call or Interview
If during your first communication with a company, you establish the time frame and need for a follow-up call, then that will be a confidence boost. Many who make follow-up calls, for whatever reason, are afraid that they are bothering the person at the other end of the phone. If, on the other hand, they are expecting your call, then there’s nothing to worry about.
2. Use Email Before and After the Call
Before the call happens, send an email to the receiver to confirm a date and time, or to confirm pre-made arrangements. Express that you are looking forward to the conversation and once again offer any assistance that might be required. If you’re applying for a job, that could include supplementary information for your application. If you’re working in sales, it could be to share some additional details on the product or service.
After the call takes place, send another email to first say thank you to the receiver for giving their time, and second to confirm any arrangements you made for a further follow-up call. Email remains the most popular method of communication in business, and so an email before to confirm the call is on, and one afterward to thank your contact, both help make things easier.
3. Have a Good Reason to Call
No follow-up call is made just so you can have a chat with someone. The call must have a clear purpose; a problem that it is solving. For example, you might be calling to determine when a decision on a job selection process will be made. In sales, you might want to offer a further discount, or simply remind them of some benefits that were not previously mentioned. In any case, a good follow-up call has a valid reason behind it.
4. Write Down Talking Points
A great way to prepare for the follow-up is to have a list of questions, talking points or other notes that will help you along. Many of us think to ourselves, “I should make a follow-up call,” but then when we make that call, our minds are blank. It always looks bad when you don’t know exactly what you want to say during the follow-up. Prepare your talking points in advance.
5. Practice Aloud
As you sit down, practice your opening line aloud. It may feel ridiculous, talking to yourself, but it always helps to rehearse the actual thing you want to say. A successful call is about a clear and confident beginning. It’s not very useful to say it to yourself in your head. It’s easy to imagine that you know what you’re going to say, but then in reality it sounds different. If you would like to practice with a Native English Teacher you can have a live class. Check out our latest offers here.
Prepare Well, Call Well
Just like the first time you cold-call a potential employer or client, the key is preparation. If you are too casual, then the result will be far from pleasing. Think about your reasons for calling and the talking points, and practice aloud the things that you want to say. You’ll be glad you did all this, even for just a single call.
For more great articles on Business English and General English, you can find them here.
