Well I feel like a doofus...

Published

So I do my first follow up on one of my intro letters. I got myself prepared, had notes in front of me. A little start up script for a gatekeeper, for the attorney, for a voicemail, so I wouldn't panic. Had in my head answers to all sorts of questions. And I'm a nurse, I answer questions ALL DAY LONG EVERY DAY. But sure enough, he asks a question (what kind of things do you help with) which I had the answer sitting in front of me, and I still go and start tripping over myself and rambling and sounding totally idiotic. He said he'd keep my card on file (and he actually did seem to remember my letter, woot!) but oh what a failure. Which I wouldn't really mind a "no" so much as I'm just not happy with my performance here. I sounded like such a nitwit. So my plan, recover from this with a can of Dr. Pepper (my comfort food!), do my other follow up call tomorrow when I can sleep and gain some confidence back. And actually think before I start rambling. Sheesh. And then with this attorney, send a letter next week thanking him for speaking with me, and actually answering his question, and to please remember me if he needs my services in the future.

I feel like a new grad nurse again, and that just is a poopy feeling. I'm so used to being confident in what I do, it's tough being a newbie again!

On the bright side, at least my first phone call as a CLNC is out of the way!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

You're clumsy at first. That's to be expected. Don't worry about it. You have a follow up plan and that's fine. You can also phone later (next month or two) and try and set up a luncheon for this attorney's firm. Just to interact, chit-chat. That will get you face-to-face exposure, too.

Don't worry about today. Plan on doing what you have planned tomorrow. Brand new day. You can also call a friend and role play. Practice questions/answers. That helps.

If it's any consolation, the very first time I made a "cold call", I fell flat. I was expecting the elevator door to open to a hallway that I would traverse and find the attorney's office. Instead, this particular firm WAS that floor. The ENTIRE floor!! I totally lost my voice (my tongue just wouldn't work) and had to just turn around and get back on the elevator and compose myself. Talk about embarrassed!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, we all have our "duh" moments. Don't let it deter you in the least!

Good luck tomorrow.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks siri. I expect to be clumsy, I just hate it when it happens!:)

Here's to tomorrow!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Here's to tomorrow. Hope that this is a better day for you. I am preparing my first marketing packets, and think about these conversations all the time, in my head. Guess I should also prepare to be redfaced and tonguetied. Don't get cold feet! :specs:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks runningmom! Making the call wasn't as bad as I thought, as long as I was "in control." Then silly me, let him ask a question, and I pretty much sounded like a cross between a 12 year old girl and the teacher from the Peanuts.:p But like I said, first phone call is out of the way, and today is a new day. And I'd say I can only get better, but I sure don't want to jinx myself!hehe!!:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, dialysis, home health, SNF.

Wooh! I haven't read the rest yet, but I want to tell you I had EXACTLY the same experience! Actually talked to the attorney and tripped all over myself! And he said the same thing, he'd keep my info on file.

I feel your pain! But don't wait 'till next week to say thanks. I emailed my guy right after we talked.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

KLKRN- Nice to know I'm not alone!!hehe!:)

Well ready to send my next letters out. Got to leave a voicemail for the other attorney, which while I know we're supposed to hope to actually talk to the attorney, leaving a message felt good as an easing into things after yesterday. Of course, smack dab in the middle of it, my dog that never barks, started barking. Here's to hoping he's a dog lover that will be entertained by that. (The attorney that referred me to him is one, so maybe that's a good sign?)

So here's to more letters and next week is a new week! (And working at my hospital job tomorrow, where I can feel good and confident again, that should help, haha!)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, dialysis, home health, SNF.

Yes, that's definitely a plus, being able to get into a venue where you feel in control again. I have noticed that just what little I've been able to accomplish in prep for CLNC work has given me even more confidence at the hospital.

In fact, just yesterday a doc wanted to send a patient home prematurely until I mentioned liability issues to him, then he decided it might be in everyone's best interest to let her stay 'till morning. Then the nephro consult doc saw her and said no way are we sending her home.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yes, that's definitely a plus, being able to get into a venue where you feel in control again. I have noticed that just what little I've been able to accomplish in prep for CLNC work has given me even more confidence at the hospital.

In fact, just yesterday a doc wanted to send a patient home prematurely until I mentioned liability issues to him, then he decided it might be in everyone's best interest to let her stay 'till morning. Then the nephro consult doc saw her and said no way are we sending her home.

I've noticed that everything I've learned in every avenue of nursing has helped the next one (or simultaneous one) and when I think back, would have helped a previous one. It's amazing how everything overlaps!

And I have to add, after a good day at the hospital yesterday, I'm ready to go back to the scary murky world of my legal nurse business.hehe!:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well got a return voice mail from attorney 2, who already has some nurses he works with and is happy with. (Of course he does, he's a successful medmal attorney!) Of course, already have a follow up letter in the mail to him. So I think my plan is to send an email thanking him for the return call, and to keep me in mind if needs something when they're busy or in my specialty. That way I don't waste his time bothering him with a phone call, but I do get to follow up rather quickly.

So, I've successfully made contacts, have not successfully gotten a client yet. Will focus on the fact that I sent awesome letters (thanks sirI for the help!) and did do my follow up, will improve on the phone calls though.:) Now to find a couple more prospects to start anew with...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

You're welcome, wooh.

You will be successful landing a client or clients. You are doing a fine job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

:heartbeatAhhh, thanks sirI!:heartbeat

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion