It's easy to overreact when a prospect ends your call abruptly—and that rejection can often lead to anger, insecurity, and confusion, especially for motivated salespeople.
Ask yourself, “Is this result any different than if I’d never made the call?”
Of course not. The world isn’t ending. Someone just bruised your ego. So, put down the keyboard and focus on why prospects hang up in the first place.
There are plenty of reasons why they leave calls without explanation:
They’re Frustrated
When prospects get frustrated, there’s a good chance you’re not listening to them. Maybe you didn’t answer their questions, or they felt disrespected after two or three interruptions. If a conversation felt like a waste of your time, you’d end the call, too.
Frustration is a sign that you need to work on your communication skills. Try answering questions more clearly and confidently. Show you care about their ideas and concerns. Communicate value by addressing their needs, not yours. That’s a surefire way to prevent hang-ups.
They’re Afraid
A hang-up can feel like a punch in the stomach, but it’s usually more about flight than fighting. Prospects like to distance themselves from difficult decisions. They’re afraid to make mistakes. They lack confidence. They often can’t say, “Listen, I’m not interested, but thank you. Have a nice day.”
Instead, they avoid conversations altogether. Many prospects are simply afraid to take risks.
They’re Negotiating
Some prospects hang up to feel powerful. They like showing they can walk away from a deal anytime. It’s rare, but you’d be surprised by how many people still use this tactic, especially regarding price negotiations.
This move stings, especially if you’ve already had productive conversations with a prospect, but it’s the way certain people play the game. Ultimately, it's on you to decide whether you want to continue the negotiation. If you’d rather not call a person who acts this way, no big deal. Move on to the next prospect.
They’re Clumsy
Sometimes it’s just an accident. The prospect pushed the wrong button or stepped into an elevator. Don’t assume the worst. I know it's easier said than done, but give prospects the benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise.
So, What Should You Do When a Prospect Hangs up on You?
Relax.
If no one’s ever hung up on you, you’re probably not hustling hard enough. You’re not challenging yourself and your prospects. You’re not taking risks.
When someone hangs up on you, just call them back. Don't jump to conclusions. For all you know, the prospect is still eager to speak with you.
Here are a couple of quick transitions back into your conversation:
“Sorry, I think we lost the connection. Where were we?”
“Hey, I think you might have accidentally hung up on me. Let’s continue the conversation.”
It’s not so much what you say but how you say it. Speak with a smile on your face. Project confidence. When you’re relaxed, rather than upset, most prospects will keep speaking with you, even if they did hang up.
On the rare occasion when someone announces the hang-up before it happens, call back and say:
“Thanks for letting me know that you were ending our call, but I don’t want you to regret this opportunity. I have two more questions, then we’ll both have all the information we need to make an educated decision on how to move forward.”
If they don’t pick up the phone, send a follow-up email. Use the same format and add that you’re happy to continue the conversation via email if that’s preferable.
After a Prospect Hangs up, Take Immediate Action
Most salespeople might go for a walk or share the bad news with the rest of their sales team. But don’t do this. Your time is too valuable.
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Pick up the phone and make the next call, whether you’re contacting the same prospect or the next one on your list. The shorter the timeframe between calls, the better your chances for sales success.
Move forward with enthusiasm and purpose. It’s all you can do. Work hard to find the next prospect who’s eager to speak with you and excited about the solutions you offer. Those are the calls you should care about. Those are the calls that really matter.
