Closed doors

The reason my nose is flat. Why running into closed doors is simply part of the job.

I’ve run into many closed doors. 😊

The pushbacks #

It comes with the territory. Ask enough businesses whether they’re open to reviewing their current arrangements, discussing contract renewals, or exploring future project work, and you’ll encounter responses that leave very little room for optimism.

“We’re very happy.”

“Things will never change.”

And sometimes, they mean it. In that moment, in that conversation, there is genuinely no hint of an opportunity. The door is closed. The nose takes the impact.

But here’s what many years of lead generation has taught me about closed doors.

Glimmer of hope #

Sometimes, buyers become less happy. Sometimes, things change. The supplier that seemed untouchable raises their prices. A service that worked perfectly stops working. The relationship that felt permanent quietly dissolves, or the contract that seemed immovable comes up for renewal in a different climate.

Of course they do. Change is the only constant.

Which means the closed door of today is not necessarily the closed door of tomorrow. The business that had no interest six months ago may be actively searching for an alternative right now. And the lead generator who stayed in touch; who kept showing a genuine interest, who checked in with warmth and patience and no particular agenda, is the one who gets the call when the moment arrives.

Keep asking, keep showing an interest and keep demonstrating that you have something genuinely worth considering.

What you mustn’t do is pester. Treat them as you’d wish to be treated yourself.

Leave them in peace and check in when it feels right.

The door may simply be resting.

“Don’t assume a door is closed; push on it. Do not assume that if it was closed yesterday it is closed today.” – Marian Wright Edelman

Thank you for reading.

PS: I create small, digestible guides on Gumroad for business owners who hate aggressive tactics and prefer relationship-led approaches. New resources are added regularly. For longer reads on lead generation and the human side of sales, follow me on Medium and join the daily conversation on LinkedIn.

Please see the links below:

Gumroad: https://richardbulldomican.gumroad.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@richard-bulldomican

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardbulldomican/