All doctors are busy. However, that has never really stopped medical telemarketing campaigns has it? All you really need is good timing, knowledge of DNC regulations, and finally a relevant marketing message.
But what if a doctor has more than a busy day at the hospital? What if the doctor doesn’t work in one at all? What if their clinic is practically on the edge of civilization?
You’ve seen this plenty of times in movies (or maybe National Geographic). Be it for humanitarian or environmental reasons, there are medical professionals out there who live in the remote places still untouched by industrial civilization. The Amazon rainforest. Rural villages in India. A wandering tribe in the Kalahari. Their offices and clinics may be contacted but the professionals themselves are rarely present.
How does one leave a message, let alone talk to these people? Even if you left the most effective voice mail messages, they’re no good if they’ll be stuck in the inbox for days (if they haven’t been buried underneath others). What you actually need is preparation before the call even begins. This isn’t simple homework you’ll be doing. Getting in touch with these people can mean going in for the long haul.
- Check the location – Logically, you wouldn’t be calling them if you didn’t have a source of contact information. That source should also info on their location. This is the obvious first step. Think of it as the alarm that will go off when you realize that you’re about to contact somebody who knows mountain climbing as much as they do dentistry.
- Check their practice – It is often the case that humanitarian aid or conservation efforts are the ones calling medical professions this far into the field. Therefore, check their practice if you want further confirmation that you might be calling someone who is often not there.
- Get used to their representative – Fortunately, there’s still a chance (and a need) of somebody standing in for them while they’re out on the field. They can be a secretary, assistant, or even one of the locals they’re aiding. In any case, get used to them representing your prospect. Don’t pitch (as it’s always a bad idea) but use them as a channel for following up.
- Get to know the person – This is where the long haul really starts. Why would somebody travel to the edges of the world to do this kind of work? They got to be featured somewhere. Start with looking up their practice online. You should also supplement with general knowledge of these efforts. Know their story because that’s the only way you’ll know how to be a part of it.
At this point, perhaps you might even consider asking yourself why do they matter so much that you would do all this to speak with them. Is it simply because you’re stubborn to move on to other prospects or perhaps you too feel a calling to the edges of today’s world.
