When is the best time to call an agent?

AndrewG · Sep 23, 2009

An interested agent requested that I give him a call to set up a time to meet. I'm just wondering, when do you think is the best time to call?

Morning? Right before lunch? 1? 2? 3?

I'd love to hear your opinions and ideas.

Thanks.

CaroGirl · Sep 23, 2009

Never having been in your enviable situation, I can only guess. But I'd say around 9:00 am would be the perfect time to call. Before any scheduled meetings have started but after his first morning coffee.

Congratulations and good luck!!

AndrewG · Sep 23, 2009

Hmm, I was thinking about 9, but I thought it would be too early. I wouldn't want to call right when the agent is getting set up for the day.

Thanks for thoughts and encouragement.

Namatu · Sep 23, 2009

10:00. I always like 10:00 (for people calling me, hate calls before 10).

Darzian · Sep 23, 2009

CaroGirl said:
Never having been in your enviable situation, I can only guess. But I'd say around 9:00 am would be the perfect time to call. Before any scheduled meetings have started but after his first morning coffee.

Congratulations and good luck!!

Agree with every word, including the enviable part.

Bufty · Sep 23, 2009

Maybe the secretary will fix the appointment - she's no doubt aware of the situation and expecting your call. Just a thought.

In any event the Agent requested the call -if he wanted a specific time avoided he'd have said so. I wouldn't worry about it.

I received professional calls at all times of the day for 40 years. In business, it comes with the territory.

And Good luck. Fingers crossed.

AndrewG · Sep 23, 2009

Bufty said:
Maybe the secretary will fix the appointment - she's no doubt aware of the situation and expecting your call. Just a thought.

In any event the Agent requested the call -if he wanted a specific time avoided he'd have said so. I wouldn't worry about it.

I received professional calls at all times of the day for 40 years. In business, it comes with the territory.

And Good luck. Fingers crossed.

Well the agency is small at the moment so they don't have a secretary. The number is the agent's direct #.

MsGneiss · Sep 23, 2009

Don't call right before lunch, or at the very beginning of the business day. I think 9:30-10:30a or 2:30-3:30p are good periods of time. Of course, if he is busy or at a meeting, you can just leave a message.

Bufty · Sep 23, 2009

In that case he'll either be there and answer or he won't. I still honestly don't see any point in sweating about it.

Have your breakfast, then call him.

You have no control over whether he'll be ready to receive your call or not.

If everyone is thinking like this then the 'correct' time to phone will be the busiest and therefore the worst - no? :Hug2:

AndrewG said:
Well the agency is small at the moment so they don't have a secretary. The number is agent's direct #.

AndrewG · Sep 23, 2009

Bufty said:
In that case he'll either be there and answer or he won't. I still honestly don't see any point in sweating about it.

Have your breakfast, then call him.

You have no control over whether he'll be ready to receive your call or not.

If everyone is thinking like this then the 'correct' time to phone will be the busiest and therefore the worst - no?

I understand what you mean, but I don't want to come off as if I don't respect his time.

Bufty · Sep 23, 2009

I understand. But if I want to call a professional, I call him at any reasonable time. To me that means any time during recognised office hours and allowing for lunch between say 12 and 2.

What can he say? "Hi, Andrew. Don't you realise it's eleven-twentysix! That's my toilet time. Give me a second to get my pants up." :Hug2:

AndrewG said:
I understand what you mean, but I don't want to come off as if I don't respect his time.

AndrewG · Sep 23, 2009

Bufty said:
I understand. But if I want to call a professional, I call him at any reasonable time. To me that means any time during recognised office hours and allowing for lunch between say 12 and 2.

What can he say? "Hi, Andrew. Don't you realise it's eleven-twentysix! That's my toilet time. Give me a second to get my pants up."

Lol - that's very true!

I'm thinking about calling a little after 9 - maybe 9:15 or 9:30. I doubt he would be in a meeting yet and our conversation should only take about 5 mins at the most.

I really think I'm over-complicating this. :tongue

Thanks for the advice everyone!

BenPanced · Sep 23, 2009

ASAP.

CaroGirl · Sep 23, 2009

AndrewG said:
Lol - that's very true!

I'm thinking about calling a little after 9 - maybe 9:15 or 9:30. I doubt he would be in a meeting yet and our conversation should only take about 5 mins at the most.

I really think I'm over-complicating this.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

That sounds reasonable. Do exactly that.

AndrewG · Sep 23, 2009

CaroGirl said:
That sounds reasonable. Do exactly that.

Thanks! I'll let you all know how it goes.

Phaeal · Sep 23, 2009

I read somewhere that the only time to call an agent was between 4 pm and 430 pm. But, dern it, can't remember now where I read it.

Of course, the piece WAS a bit tongue in cheek, but hey. I vote for 4:01 pm, the agent's time.

AndrewG · Sep 23, 2009

Phaeal said:
I read somewhere that the only time to call an agent was between 4 pm and 430 pm. But, dern it, can't remember now where I read it.

Of course, the piece WAS a bit tongue in cheek, but hey. I vote for 4:01 pm, the agent's time.

Really? That seems like a strange time. I would think that at around 4 they're pretty tired or in meetings.

AndrewG · Oct 21, 2009

Well I never had to call the agent, instead he sent an email and we sent up our meeting that way. Thanks for your help everyone!

Wayne K · Oct 21, 2009

AndrewG said:
Well I never had to call the agent, instead he sent an email and we sent up our meeting that way. Thanks for your help everyone!

Congratulations. Knock 'em dead Andrew.

Wayne K · Oct 21, 2009

Not literally of course.

Matera the Mad · Oct 21, 2009

My flippant two small coins' worth -- "When they're awake."

AndrewG · Oct 25, 2009

Wayne K said:
Not literally of course.

Thanks Wayne! The meeting went very well

Mr Flibble · Oct 25, 2009

Phaeal said:
I read somewhere that the only time to call an agent was between 4 pm and 430 pm. But, dern it, can't remember now where I read it.

Lukeman wasn't it?

Don't try to contact an editor or agent between 12:30 and 3. They will be lunching with other editors or agents. Don't contact them before lunch, because they will be settling in for the day. Don't contact them between 3 and 4, because they will be recovering from lunch and returning calls from those who called during lunch. Don't call them after 5, as Hollywood is finally waking up about then, and they are also preparing to leave for the day. So — if you absolutely must call — then call at exactly 4:30.

When is the best time to call an agent?

AndrewG

CaroGirl

Living the dream

AndrewG

Namatu

Lost in mental space.

Darzian

To-to-to-ron-to

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

AndrewG

MsGneiss

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

AndrewG

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

AndrewG

BenPanced

THE BLUEBERRY QUEEN OF HADES (he/him)

CaroGirl

Living the dream

AndrewG

Phaeal

Whatever I did, I didn't do it.

AndrewG

AndrewG

Wayne K

Wayne K

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

AndrewG

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble