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Sales & Retail vocabulary · Prospecting & Leads

Gatekeeper

Meaning in sales & retail, with examples

/ˈɡeɪtkiːpər/nounCommon term

In sales & retail, gatekeeper means: A person, such as a receptionist or assistant, who controls access to a decision-maker and decides which calls and emails get through.

In Turkish: ara kişi, kapı bekçisi, sekreter bariyeri

How it is used

Used in prospecting and cold calling. Sellers try to get past, get through or work with the gatekeeper. Being polite and honest matters, because gatekeepers often influence decisions too.

Example sentences

  1. The gatekeeper said the director only reads emails, so I sent a short one.

  2. Treat the gatekeeper with respect; she knows exactly what her boss needs.

Common collocations

  • get past the gatekeeper
  • deal with the gatekeeper
  • gatekeeper call
  • decision-makerThe person in a company who has the authority to approve a purchase and sign the contract, such as a director or the owner.
  • cold callA phone call to a person or business that has had no earlier contact with you, made to introduce a product and start a sales conversation.
  • prospectA possible customer who has been checked and seems a good fit, with a real need for the product and the ability to buy it.
  • social sellingUsing social media, especially professional networks such as LinkedIn, to find prospects, build relationships and start sales conversations.

More terms: Prospecting & Leads

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