On your default configuration, you probably have some names built into the templates. We choose those names for a few reasons:
- Familiarity: Those names are short and widely popular names. They will help the prospect of receiving the message in a less threatening way.
- Unisex: Most of the names we use are gender-neutral. Some will react better to either.
When choosing a name to include on the SMS templates, try to keep them short alternate between genders and keep it local to your market.
The goal is for them to relate and slightly lower their defenses. It's a very subtle psychological trigger that works.
What should I do if a prospect calls in and ask for that specific name from the text?
First of all, we do not recommend you taking live calls from initial prospecting messages. Here are our recommendations on what to do with incoming calls.
If you still decide to take live calls, you can simply answer. Yes Alex/Sam/Pat is my assistant (or partner) but he/she just stepped out of the office. I believe he/she reached out because we want to buy a house in the area is this the right number for..... ? (this will give you time to look for the number on 8020REI and see the name you are trying to reach.
If the number is not on 8020REI or you are on the go. You can simply say you are not in front of your computer and ask them to confirm the name and address we texted about.
