For the record, I used to sell advertising. It is a tough, thankless job and people feel shockingly free to treat you with a complete lack of respect (FYI: It’s also pretty damned lucrative; they’re not in it for the glory). As a former magazine editor, I worked with advertising salespeople and did everything within in my power to give them the editorial support they needed to close the deal. So despite my scathing sense of sarcasm and caustic nature, I think I’m pretty damned respectful of salespeople. And yet…
While working on an annual marketing plan for a client I met with several regional salespeople. Most were great; respectful of my time and offered attractive rate options on products that were well-suited to my client. One, however, apparently felt that treating me like an ill-behaved child who needed a good scolding from mommy was the way to close the deal. Um…no. Way to get my back up before I’ve even met you. Strike 1. But it’s not about me, it’s about my client, so I set up an appointment. Said salesperson’s personality was just as grating in person as it was on the phone. Hello, strike 2.
After arriving at my office 10 minutes late and then sitting in my driveway for another four minutes to finish a phone call, we had our meeting (strike 3). My primary interest was in digital advertising options. When I was handed the rate card touting all of their partnerships with various websites, the largest logo was, by far, Yahoo.
Yahoo?! That’s your big selling point?!
According to the 2015 Pew report on online behavior, 63.6% of organic Internet searches take place on Google. Next up is Microsoft with 20%. Even though writers are notoriously bad at math, I’m coming up with 83.6% between the two. So I have to ask the question, who cares about Yahoo? And that would be a massive strike 4.
Way to bunt it along the foul line. Thanks for your time. Don’t call me. I’ll call you. As if.
