Business talk: messages, calls and emails
Many people miss opportunities not because of what they offer but because of how they write or talk. The good news: it’s quick to learn.
WhatsApp and email
- Greet them and say who you are in the first line.
- Get to the point: what you offer and why to that person.
- Short messages, no typos, no 3-minute voice notes.
- End with an easy question: “Would it help if I sent you an example?”
Bad: “hi u want a website?? i do it cheap”
Good: “Hi Marta. I’m from Olot and I build websites for bars and shops in the area. I noticed your bar doesn’t have online bookings: I set them up for the bar next door and now it gets about 30 a month. Shall I show you how it looks?”
Good: “Hi Marta. I’m from Olot and I build websites for bars and shops in the area. I noticed your bar doesn’t have online bookings: I set them up for the bar next door and now it gets about 30 a month. Shall I show you how it looks?”
Calling on the phone
- Have 3 points in front of you: who you are, why you’re calling and what you’re asking for.
- Ask if it’s a good time.
- Smile as you talk: it shows in your voice.
- End with something concrete: a meeting, a day, a next step.
In person
- Be on time. Arriving late to a business meeting is starting on the back foot.
- Look them in the eye, shake hands and listen.
- Note down what matters. The next day, send a message with the summary and what was agreed.
Follow-up: most sales don’t close at first contact. A friendly message a few days later (“Did you get a chance to look?”) closes more sales than the first message.