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The Global Insight

How do you get through gatekeepers sales?

Author

Christopher Davis

Updated on April 02, 2026

How To Get Past The Gatekeeper

  1. Treat Gatekeepers With Respect. This should go without saying—but we’ll say it anyway: Treat receptionists, assistants, and phone operators with respect.
  2. Act More Senior.
  3. Be Personal.
  4. Be Direct.
  5. Use the Gatekeeper as Your Resource.
  6. Invest In Contact Information.

What is the gatekeeper in sales?

A gatekeeper is the term for anyone who blocks the way between you and the key decision maker within a target organisation. Gatekeepers are often receptionists, secretaries or administrative assistants whose job it is to screen unwanted or irrelevant calls from reaching their bosses.

How do you convince a gatekeeper?

14 Actionable Steps For Getting Past The Gatekeeper Establish trust by mentioning something learned in your research of the prospect. Avoid the gatekeeper altogether – try another avenue! Go above them! You’ll most likely get a decision maker.

How do you overcome gatekeeper objections?

Say “no” slowly. It shows a measure of respect. Asking for help in a sincere tone and pausing for a reply is often effective. Gatekeepers are human and will often respond to those who are genuine in their request for help.)

Can I be a gatekeeper?

Assistants, receptionists and secretaries can act as gatekeepers. These workers can send a visitor straight to the manager or tell them that they aren’t available. Other gatekeepers include magazine editors who read pitches and choose which articles to publish.

How do I get past the gatekeeper script?

6 Steps to Get Past the Toughest Gatekeepers (Scripts Included)

  1. Lead with respect and integrity.
  2. Add a personal touch.
  3. Use basic manners – Please and thank you.
  4. Show you’re listening.
  5. Ditch the small talk.
  6. Do your research.

What is an example of a gatekeeper?

Examples of “gatekeepers” in communications or business organizations include: a newspaper’s assistant managing editors who assign stories to appropriate reporters. a television station’s producers and assignment editors. public relations firm client services managers.

What are the duties of a gatekeeper?

In business, a gatekeeper is exactly what it sounds like: someone standing at an entry point to prevent unwanted traffic from coming through. It’s the person responsible for deciding who can get through to the decision-maker, with the goal of preventing interruption from bothersome visitors and callers.

How do you stop gatekeeping?

Make a record of each parental gatekeeping roadblock thrown your way. Keep a log in which you can write down dates and times, arguments, missed or canceled calls and visits. Print out and keep records of any nasty emails you’ve received and back up recordings of any vicious voicemail messages he’s left for you.

What is objection handling skills?

Objection handling is when a prospect presents a concern about the product/service a salesperson is selling, and the salesperson responds in a way that alleviates those concerns and allows the deal to move forward. Objections are generally around price, product fit, or competitors.

How to get past the gatekeeper in sales?

Mindfulness is its own reward too, and frankly, if you come across as nervous you’re not going to achieve much success anyway. The key to getting past gatekeepers is to find a chink in their intellectual armour, which requires precision rather than blunt force. Therefore be concise and focused with what you say during your discussion.

What’s the best way to treat a gatekeeper?

At the time, Anderson was surprised—but over years of experience he has learned what a difference it can make in sales success to recognize and treat the assistant or the gatekeeper like the golden resource they can invariably turn out to be. Let them know how much you appreciate their professionalism and their assistance.

How to get past the gatekeeper in a relationship?

Here are Ten Top Tips for Getting Past the Gatekeeper. Whoever is acting as the Gatekeeper between you and the Decision-Maker (DM) is just doing their job. Part of that job is managing demands on the DM’s time. Seeing the Gatekeeper as the enemy creates a self-imposed psychological barrier that it will be difficult, if not impossible to remove.

How to communicate with a gate keeper at work?

Gate-keepers generally aren’t monitoring social profiles of their bosses. Engage with them through Linkedin In-mail, Twitter, etc. * Personal communication. Its not that hard to find personal emails and/or phone numbers these days.