I go through this horse manure 3x per year -- any suggestions?...

TW, why would you expect them to call you back? If they contacted you once, then it is YOUR responsibility to keep trying until you get through to them. You're putting your prospects on the spot. They're afraid that, by calling you back, you'll assume they want something they may not once they have more info. Safer not to call or respond than to be badgered by someone who may or may not be you. It's fear, plain and simple.

>>>>>>>>>>> I've tried setting up different email addrs so they could respond without the fear of having me twist their arm, etc. Like, NotThisTime@[whatever.com], and Maybe@, and YES@, etc.

Still no luck (actually some responses, but not enough).

I'm assuming you're using a toll free number, right?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes.


You might examine the content of your message/request and see if it strikes people wrong in some way. Test it out on friends, family, even strangers you meet...but test it. It may be in the way it is worded or sounds to them...not the way you mean it, even. Something is wrong, that's for sure...so test, test, test! BTW: have the testers READ the message, as your recipients would, so your voice inflections don't influence their perception of the message.
>>>>>>>>>>> That sounds like a good idea. Thanks.

One other thing: do you have enough lines and operators so they don't get busy signals constantly? You could have call waiting to test this out or just put them through to a voice mailbox asking that they tell you a time/date (as applicable) to call them back in addition to the usual.
>>>>>>>>>>>> Oh my yes! There's plenty of open lines! That's the problem!

Have you offered an incentive for them to call you? People love to be rewarded.
>>>>>>>>>>> No, I haven't -- that's a good idea too.

Main thing I must do is get across the idea that not replying is NOT conveying a message of "no." (because even the people who DO eventually end up signing up ALSO do not return calls.

Overall I must figure out a way to make (only) 112 million calls, instead of the 790-million calls that is now required! Each individual 'chase' isn't that bad, but when it is MULTIPLIED by the # of prospects on the list(s), the chore becomes MONUMENTAL! I must find a way to make each lead aware of that. Maybe I can say, that by responding -- even if it's a NO, they are contributing to the 'cause' and keeping the overall price lower for those that Do sign up. BTW, it IS a 'cause' related topic, so each lead is devoted to the cause, even if they don't sign up -- so they MIGHT respond to that angle (responding keeps the cost low for those who DO sign up. etc.).

-- TW

PS: Sorry if this all seems like a rant -- but it's all getting to me mentally -- I can see why ol' Willie Lowman cracked up.

Good luck!

Sandi Bowman