For years, I’ve been the de facto tech support call for my family. My Mom sent this to me today and I couldn’t help but laugh. Thought you may get chuckle or two.

Tech support: What kind of computer do you have?
Female customer: A white one.

Customer: Hi, this is Maureen. I can’t get my diskette out.
Tech support: Have you tried pushing the Button?
Customer: Yes, sure, it’s really stuck.
Tech support: That doesn’t sound good; I’ll make a note.
Customer: No, wait a minute… I hadn’t inserted it yet… it’s still on my desk… sorry….

Tech support: Click on the ‘my computer’ icon on to the left of the screen.
Customer: Your left or my left?

Tech support: Good day. How may I help you?
Male customer: Hello… I can’t print.
Tech support: Would you click on “start” for me and…
Customer: Listen pal; don’t start getting technical on me! I’m not Bill Gates.

Customer: Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can’t print. Every time I try, it says ‘Can’t find printer’. I’ve even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can’t find it…

Customer: I have problems printing in red…
Tech support: Do you have a color printer?
Customer: Aaaah………………..thank you.

Tech support: What’s on your monitor now, ma’am?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me at Wally World.

Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Tech support: Are you sure it’s plugged into the computer?
Customer: No. I can’t get behind the computer.
Tech support: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer:  OK
Tech support: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes
Tech support: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there’s another one here. Ah…that one does work…

Tech support: Your password is the small letter “a” as in apple, a capital letter V as in Victor, the number 7.
Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters ?

Customer: can’t get on the Internet.
Tech support: Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes, I’m sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Tech support: Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five stars.

Tech support: What anti-virus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.
Tech support: That’s not an anti-virus program.
Customer: Oh, sorry…Internet Explorer.

Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screen saver on my computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears.

Tech support: How may I help you?
Customer: I’m writing my first e-mail.
Tech support: OK, and what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter ‘a’ in the address, but how do I get the circle around it?

A woman customer called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer.
Tech support: Are you running it under windows?
Customer: “No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his printer is working fine.”

And last but not least…

Tech support: “Okay Colin, let’s press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter “P” to bring up the Program Manager.”
Customer: I don’t have a P.
Tech support: On your keyboard, Colin.
Customer: What do you mean?
Tech support: “P”…..on your keyboard, Colin.

October will be Halloween Safety Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Chiropractic Month, Crime Prevention Month, Dental Hygiene Month, Orthodontic Health Month, Physical Therapy Month, and Vegetarian Month.

Chimney Safety Week: Spt. 28 – Oct. 4
Fire Prevention Week: October 5-11
Custodial Workers Day: October 2nd
Child Health Day: October 6th
Yom Kippur: October 9th
Columbus Day: October 13th
Be Bald and Be Free Day: October 14th
Get Smart About Credit Day: October 16th
Sweetest Day: October 18th
Mother-In-Law Day: October 26th
Cranky Co-Workers Day: October 27th
Halloween: October 31st

My first run at radio sales was a painful experience. At 22 (twenty years ago…ouch), I went to work at a small rock station in Pittsburgh. I worked there for three months and made one sale (actually, I found the prospect, my manager closed the sale). I woke up one morning and told myself I wanted out and that I would never do radio sales again. However, after a few years of college, I gave it another shot. That was 1992.

The second time around was exactly the opposite. I picked up a new client the first week, and success continued throughout my career. What was so different?

1. I had successful mentors: This is huge! The group of stations I walked into were new and only had a couple reps. However, I was fortunate enough to be close with the new manager (he talked me into coming back to radio) and the #1 seller in the building (he knew my Mom). What this meant was that I had the best two people in the building take me under their wings. I would not be here today if it were not from everything I learned from Gary and Joe during those first few months. Bottom line to you - hang with mentors that can help you…not other reps that don’t strive to be super-successful.

2. Don’t wait to be trained: During my first couple weeks on the job, I spent every waking moment outside of work studying video and audio cassettes (does that date me enough?) about radio sales, advertising, and marketing. I watched and listened to them over and over and over again. During my first run at radio sales, I waited to be trained. The second time around, I decided I would work harder training myself than my managers ever could.

3. I embraced technology (as limited as it was). In 1992, there were computers, but they had about as much power as our cell phones now. However, as the technology grew, I found which parts could help me in my sales & marketing career. I spent hours learning how to use a computer, and weekends reading through manuals. First, learning presentation software (”Pagemaker,”  then “PowerPoint”), and later the world of online marketing (www.salesimaging.com). Being ahead of the curve gave me an advantage because my pitches impressed prospects and clients (compared to what else they were seeing) and made them more likely to view me as a professional business person (and not just a package pitcher).

Selling advertising is not an easy gig. But, if you find yourself a mentor (or two), train yourself (harder than they are willing to train you), and stay ahead of the sales/presentation technology curve, you’ll be one that succeeds.