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5 Steps to Overcome the Gatekeeper

In the realm of sales, navigating past gatekeepers is often the first hurdle on the path to connecting with decision-makers. One common question gatekeepers ask is, "Who are you looking to speak with?" This seemingly simple question can either be a roadblock or an opportunity, depending on how you respond.


Here are our best-kept secrets to overcoming these gatekeeper hurdles:


Step 1. Precision Targeting


Before making the call, arm yourself with valuable insights about the company. With Matrix Marketing Online (MM Online), you can identify and target specific decision-makers within a company. Armed with this information, you can confidently answer the gatekeeper's question with the name of the individual you're seeking to speak with, instantly establishing credibility and relevance.


Step 2. Reliable Insights


MM Online provides you with additional context about each individual, such as their role, responsibilities, contact information and whether or not they are on LinkedIn.


Our online directory includes contact details for multiple individuals within a company. If you're unable to reach your primary contact, you can easily identify alternative decision-makers to approach. This persistence demonstrates your commitment and determination.


Additionally with this information, you can tailor your pitch to resonate with the needs and priorities of the decision-maker, making it more likely for the gatekeeper to facilitate the connection.


Step 3. Efficiency and Confidence


 Instead of fumbling for names or titles, salespeople equipped with our online directory you can confidently navigate gatekeeper questions with ease. This efficiency not only saves time but also projects professionalism and expertise, enhancing your chances of securing a meeting.


Step 4: Establish Rapport


Building rapport with gatekeepers is essential for gaining their cooperation and assistance. Approach the interaction with warmth, empathy, and professionalism. Show genuine interest in their role and responsibilities, and seek common ground to establish a connection. A friendly demeanor can go a long way in winning over gatekeepers and securing their support.


Step 5: Persistence and Follow-Up


If you encounter resistance or are unable to reach the decision-maker initially, don't give up! Persistence is key in sales. Follow up politely and persistently, offering additional value or information that may pique their interest. Keep the lines of communication open and continue to nurture the relationship over time. Your perseverance may eventually pay off with access to the decision-maker and a successful sale.


Mastering the art of overcoming gatekeeper obstacles is a critical skill for sales professionals. By following this five-step process – from thorough research and preparation to persistent follow-up – you can navigate past gatekeepers with confidence and keep your sales momentum going strong. With determination, preparation, and the right approach, you can turn gatekeepers into allies and unlock new opportunities for success.





By cindy 16 May, 2024
In B2B marketing, where lead generation is the lifeblood of business growth, companies continually seek innovative strategies to maximise their ROI (return on investment) and streamline their sales processes. One such strategy that has gained significant traction in recent years is pay-per-lead (PPL) marketing. This model offers businesses the promise of acquiring high-quality leads on a performance-based payment structure, aligning expenses directly with results. But is pay-per-lead the perfect fit for your business? This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of PPL marketing, evaluating its efficacy, advantages, and potential drawbacks. Understanding Pay-Per-Lead At its core, pay-per-lead is a performance-based marketing model in which businesses compensate publishers or affiliates based on the number of leads generated. Unlike traditional advertising models, where payments are made upfront regardless of outcomes, PPL ensures that companies only pay for tangible results in the form of qualified leads. This makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to optimise their marketing budgets and drive measurable ROI. Matrix Marketing's Pay-Per-Lead Solution Among the many pay-per-lead solutions available in the market, Matrix Marketing stands out as a leader in the field. Matrix LeadFinder specialises in delivering profiled leads tailored to your target market by leveraging advanced algorithms and data analytics. This proprietary technology ensures the quality and relevance of leads and enables businesses to generate qualified prospects quickly and efficiently. Assessing the Fit: Is Pay-Per-Lead Right for Your Business? While the promise of pay-per-lead marketing may seem enticing, assessing whether this model aligns with your business goals, industry dynamics, and target audience is essential. Here are some key factors to consider: Lead Quality vs Quantity: One of the primary considerations when adopting a pay-per-lead strategy is the balance between lead quality and quantity. While paying per lead ensures a cost-effective approach, businesses must ensure that the leads generated meet their specific criteria and are genuinely interested in their products or services. Sales Cycle and Conversion Rate: The efficacy of pay-per-lead marketing can vary depending on the complexity of your sales cycle and the conversion rate of your leads. Businesses with longer sales cycles or higher-value products/services may find achieving a positive ROI with PPL challenging if the lead nurturing process requires extensive time and resources. Target Market and Audience Segmentation: Matrix Marketing's LeadFinder solution excels at delivering profiled leads tailored to your target market. However, businesses must clearly understand their ideal customer profile and audience segmentation to maximise the effectiveness of pay-per-lead campaigns. Budget and Scalability: While pay-per-lead offers a performance-based payment structure, businesses must allocate sufficient budget and resources to scale their campaigns effectively. Striking a balance between investment and returns is essential to ensure sustainable growth and profitability. Advantages of Pay-Per-Lead Marketing Despite the potential challenges, pay-per-lead marketing offers several advantages that make it an attractive option for businesses: Cost-Effectiveness: Businesses can optimise their marketing budgets and minimise wastage on ineffective campaigns by paying only for tangible results. Performance-Based Metrics: Pay-per-lead provides clear and measurable metrics, allowing businesses to track the success of their campaigns and make data-driven decisions to optimise performance. Lead Quality Control: With advanced targeting and profiling capabilities, pay-per-lead solutions like Matrix LeadFinder enable businesses to maintain control over lead quality and relevance, ensuring higher conversion rates and ROI. Scalability and Flexibility: Pay-per-lead models offer scalability and flexibility, allowing businesses to adjust their campaigns based on changing market dynamics, seasonal trends, or business priorities. Contact Matrix Marketing today Pay-per-lead marketing offers a compelling proposition for businesses seeking to optimise their lead-generation efforts and drive measurable ROI. With solutions like Matrix Marketing's LeadFinder, companies can access profiled leads tailored to their target market, enabling them to generate qualified prospects quickly and efficiently. However, adopting a PPL strategy requires careful consideration of factors such as lead quality, sales cycle, target market, and budget allocation. By assessing the fit and potential challenges, businesses can determine whether pay-per-lead is the perfect fit for their sales objectives and long-term growth strategy. Ready to use pay-per-lead to grow your sales? Contact our team to discuss how we can level up your marketing. We’d love to hear from you.
By cindy 16 May, 2024
In the ever-evolving B2B sales and marketing landscape, staying ahead of the curve is a competitive advantage and necessary for sustained growth. Among the many strategies and tactics available, pay-per-lead (PPL) has emerged as a game-changer, revolutionising the B2B sales pipeline for businesses across various industries. Let’s delve into the key benefits of pay-per-lead and how it can drive substantial sales growth, particularly through solutions like Matrix Marketing's innovative Matrix LeadFinder. Understanding Pay-Per-Lead (PPL) As the name suggests, pay-per-lead is a marketing model in which businesses pay only for qualified leads generated through specific marketing efforts. Unlike traditional advertising methods, where companies pay for impressions or clicks, pay-per-lead focuses on tangible results, ensuring every rand spent contributes directly to lead generation and potential sales opportunities. The Benefits Unveiled Cost-Effectiveness: One of the primary advantages of pay-per-lead is its cost-effectiveness. By paying only for qualified leads, businesses can optimise their marketing budgets more efficiently. This model eliminates the risk of investing in strategies that may not yield tangible results, allowing companies to allocate resources strategically towards channels and campaigns that drive tangible, measurable outcomes. Targeted Lead Generation: Matrix LeadFinder and similar pay-per-lead solutions excel in delivering highly targeted leads tailored to a business's specific needs and target market. Through advanced profiling and segmentation techniques, these platforms ensure every lead generated aligns with the ideal customer profile, maximising the likelihood of conversion. This targeted approach minimises wastage and enhances the overall efficiency of the sales pipeline. Scalability and Flexibility: Scalability is crucial for businesses aiming for sustainable growth. Pay-per-lead offers inherent scalability, allowing companies to ramp up or scale down their lead generation efforts based on changing business requirements and market dynamics. Whether expanding into new territories, launching new products, or targeting different customer segments, pay-per-lead provides the flexibility to adapt quickly and efficiently. Enhanced Lead Quality: Quality leads are the lifeblood of any successful sales operation. Matrix LeadFinder and similar pay-per-lead solutions prioritise lead quality through rigorous qualification processes. By leveraging data analytics, machine learning algorithms, and predictive modelling, these platforms identify and prioritise leads with the highest propensity to convert, saving valuable time and resources for sales teams while driving higher conversion rates. Measurable ROI: One of the most significant advantages of pay-per-lead is its inherent measurability. Unlike traditional marketing methods, where ROI (return on investment) can be challenging to quantify accurately, pay-per-lead provides clear and measurable results. Businesses can track the performance of their campaigns in real time, monitoring key metrics such as cost per lead, conversion rates, and overall ROI. This transparency enables data-driven decision-making, empowering businesses to optimise their strategies for maximum effectiveness. Faster Time-to-Market: In today's fast-paced business environment, speed is often a critical factor in gaining a competitive edge. Pay-per-lead accelerates the lead generation process, delivering qualified leads quickly and efficiently. With Matrix LeadFinder and similar solutions, businesses can bypass lengthy lead nurturing cycles and engage with prospects at the right time, increasing the likelihood of conversion and reducing time-to-market for new products or services. Is Pay-Per-Lead Right for Your Business? While the benefits of pay-per-lead are undeniable, evaluating whether this model aligns with your business objectives, target audience, and resources is essential. Consider the following factors: Target Market: Pay-per-lead is particularly effective for businesses targeting specific niches or industries where precise targeting is critical. Budget: Assess your marketing budget and determine whether pay-per-lead offers a more cost-effective solution compared to traditional methods. Sales Cycle: Evaluate your sales cycle and the level of engagement required to convert leads into customers. Pay-per-lead is ideal for businesses with relatively short sales cycles and high transactional volumes. Scalability: Determine whether your business requires scalable lead generation solutions to support future growth initiatives. Contact Matrix Marketing today Contact our team to discuss how we can level up your marketing through pay-per-lead. We’d love to hear from you.
By cindy 22 Apr, 2024
Founded in 1988 M atrix Marketing was founded around a dining room table by Steve Trehair and two other smart gents who had a dream, a vision and a plan. 30+ Employees Our clan is mixed, passionate and driven. Some won’t leave; who would after being with the company for more than 25 years. Thousands of Users Thousands of clever, creative professionals in marketing and sales and pretty much any one in B2B who has a product/service to offer rely on our data and software to meet their targets and get to know their new customers. Product Explosion In the last 33 years, Matrix Marketing has grown both our user base and company size. The future is bright and we will continue to grow and provide great products! Law Abiding POPIA is our friend. We are POPIA compliant according to the 2 entities who completed our POPI compliant audits. Major industry sectors Matrix Marketing covers in excess of 550 Lines of Business / Industry types which have been classified into 21 Major Sectors (see iTAM Industry sector analysis). Data slicing & dicing Sort, slice/dice, and manipulate the data over 121 ways. You know what you’re looking for, we will make it happen. You’re a little “Upstairs” You only want to deal with the big companies. All JSE listed companies are available. Proven success Yield significant response rates and start conversations using the best B2B online platform and data, coupled with your creative content and the right target market. Updates Approximately 3500 calls are made each month to keep data fresh and accurate. All our records are date stamped. We Care Happy customers make us smile. We share our happiness with Reach for a Dream and The Smile Foundation. Contact universe View 70 000 odd Companies researched within the last 24 months and 150 000 plus executives, owners and shareholders. Talk to these executives considered to be responsible for a significant portion of South Africa's GDP. Direct Marketing Association of South Africa Members We’ve got some connections... My Mobile Business Intelligence App - MyMoBi Get your sales people prospecting on their phone! Brands/Products Matrix Marketing’s product tree holds MM Online Business Directory, SA Buyers Guide, iTAM, Matrix LeadFinder and POPIFix.
By Andrew Haynes 12 Mar, 2024
The Information Regulator recently announced that they have issued an Enforcement Notice regarding improper electronic marketing. This being an important provision of the regulations regarding direct marketing contained in the Protection of Information Act. The case is straightforward. Businesses may only send out one communication, via electronic means (email, SMS or similar messaging service or pre-recorded auto-messaging.) The primary purpose of that communication is to request OPT-IN. If you get No Reply you may not follow up! With email marketing already experiencing response rates below 3% this is no longer an effective lead-generating method. Matrix Marketing has your back! Our groundbreaking Leads as a Service solution, LeadFinder does the work for you. Using a social media network we invite your targeted audience to connect with you. A positive response of between 30 – 40% is the demonstrable response rate. A positive response is also an indication that they have OPTED-IN . We then develop a sequence of communication to look to qualify a buying interest. When the target expresses an interest, we send you the lead. Let Matrix Marketing expand your lead-generation reach and keep you on the right side of the Regulator.
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By cindy 22 Dec, 2023
In a previous blog, we spoke about the key ingredient of DISCIPLINE to achieve success in meeting an established goal. As a practical example, I looked at a life experience to see if there were parallels to developing consistency in sales metrics and work ethic. I was reminded of a much earlier age when I first signed up for a gym contract. The motivated gym owner showed me around the facilities and the equipment and made sure that I understood the basics of how to use everything. Next came the demonstration of how to perform the various exercises. Finally, I was handed a card with a programme that was developed for first-time gym-goers. After the mandatory 12 weeks on programme #1, I was graduated to programme #2! One thing, however, stood out; the fundamentals of the programme were really the same. There were about 3 exercises for each muscle group, a number of sets needed to be performed for each exercise and the number of repetitions of the exercise were to be performed for each set. Weight was also specified. So the formula was established. SETS, REPS, WEIGHT, TIME. Results would be demonstrated in terms of measurements in size, strength and endurance. Unfortunately, I never really graduated beyond programme #3. The opinions of friends and acquaintances soon mixed up the DISCIPLINE of the programme. This, together with less commitment and tenacity meant that other priorities took over and messed with the results! I recently saw a significant parallel in explaining the benefits of following a programme based activity metric to sales success. You don’t always enjoy the immediate evidence of visible results when you follow a gym programme, but consistency in your approach will build you to a progressive realisation of your goals. Set your financial goals and take note of your company-enforced targets. Establish a programme of activity that will determine you reach those goals within the required timeframe. To do this must be able to establish your important measurements such as average sales value, time to close, opportunity to close ratio and calls to lead ratio. Set activity goals based on these criteria, such as how many appointments you need to build enough opportunities and how many calls per week you need to make to have enough appointments etc. You will not see immediate results but with consistency over time, you will build a fundamental discipline that will drive you to success. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/andrewhaynesza_a-fun-video-we-made-to-make-the-point-that-activity-6722742958044524544-zWyN Dig deep, and go for it! For more information on understanding your team’s success formula, contact Matrix Marketing or visit our website. Visit Matrix Marketing’s YouTube channel to understand the dynamics involved in improving these metrics and how it affects your sales results. Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook
By cindy 22 Dec, 2023
Here are some stats based on our own case study CASE STUDY 1 Our first campaign: The campaign below was our first campaign that we ran from last year September to mid-December. Total invites sent – 2499 invites Total accepted invites – approximately 45% (1120 contacts) Total conversations started – approximately 21% (538 Sales Directors) Total number of positive responses – approximately 70.6% (380 contacts) Number of leads generated – approximately 23% (88 leads) In summary, you can see the software viewed 2 499 profiles, 1120 accepted our connection request (45 % acceptance rate) and 538 Sales Directors responded to our messages which is a 21 % response rate. Out of the 538 responses, 380 messages were positive responses.
By cindy 22 Dec, 2023
The new POPIA legislation has caused sales and marketing people to take a long hard look at whether their company has satisfied the POPIA compliance requirements. Gone are the days where we can pump out sales and marketing communications without first getting permission from the customer to do so. Matrix Marketing can help you comply: As an accessory to our current software, you can now manage your POPI compliance seamlessly from our simple to use MM Online service. We have been preparing for this day for several years now and, with our purpose built POPIFix software, we can guide you and your company through the compliance requirements and assist you in developing and growing your marketing opt-in contacts.
By cindy 22 Dec, 2023
Founded in 1988 Matrix Marketing was founded around a dining room table by Steve Trehair and two other smart gents who had a dream, a vision and a plan. 30+ Employees Our clan is mixed, passionate and driven. Some won’t leave; who would after being with the company for more than 25 years. Thousands of Users Thousands of clever, creative professionals in marketing and sales and pretty much any one in B2B who has a product/service to offer rely on our data and software to meet their targets and get to know their new customers. Product Explosion In the last 33 years, Matrix Marketing has grown both our user base and company size. The future is bright and we will continue to grow and provide great products! Law Abiding POPIA is our friend. We are POPIA compliant according to the 2 entities who completed our POPI compliant audits. Major industry sectors Matrix Marketing covers in excess of 550 Lines of Business / Industry types which have been classified into 21 Major Sectors (see iTAM Industry sector analysis). Data slicing & dicing Sort, slice/dice, and manipulate the data over 121 ways. You know what you’re looking for, we will make it happen. You’re a little “Upstairs” You only want to deal with the big companies. All JSE listed companies are available. Proven success Yield significant response rates and start conversations using the best B2B online platform and data, coupled with your creative content and the right target market. Updates Approximately 3500 calls are made each month to keep data fresh and accurate. All our records are date stamped. We Care Happy customers make us smile. We share our happiness with the Smile Foundation and contribute towards 6 life changing operations per year. Contact universe View 70 000 odd Companies researched within the last 24 months and 150 000 plus executives, owners and shareholders. Talk to these executives considered to be responsible for a significant portion of South Africa’s GDP. Direct Marketing Association of South Africa Members We’ve got some connections… My Mobile Business Intelligence App – MyMoBi Get your sales people prospecting on their phone! Brands/Products Matrix Marketing’s product tree holds MM Online Business Directory , SA Buyers Guide, iTAM , Matrix Connections and POPIFix. We’re an interesting bunch, with a passion to help sales people and sales teams reach their targets and prospect with confidence. We have so much more to share with you. Get in touch and let’s chat. 011 886 0494 info@matrixmarketing.co.za www.matrixmarketing.co.za The Matrix Marketing Team
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