Believe it or not, cold calling is still an effective sales tactic. If done properly, you can get the business attention you've been craving. Unfortunately, most of us would rather sit in the dentist chair listening to the smooth sounds of the drill extracting the cavity in the back of our mouth! Cold calling should not make you feel THIS ill. The following 8 tips will help you realize how effective good cold calling can be for your business and maybe ease some of your fears.
Cold Calling Tip #1: Research your target market.
Make sure you research the market you are interested in calling. Do market research (or google it! Save yourself some time and see what others have done already.) Find out as much as you can about the types of people or companies you're trying to reach. Will there be secretaries or employees answering the phone? Does the phone call go directly to the owner? What do these companies need that you can offer them?
Cold Calling Tip #2: Always have a script.
I know you want to be yourself when you call, as to not have it seem "scripted" or "planned" that you were calling this company. But believe me. If you don't have written down all the details you want to share in the call, you will fumble over the words and get hung up on! Make sure you have a step-by-step script written in advance so you know how to lead the conversation.
This tip is mostly a suggestion. ESPECIALLY if you have the budget. You do not HAVE to do this to have successful cold calls, but it definitely helps. If you send a promotional item, like something from your product line, something to remember you by, or an informational email. It is easier to get to the person you need to talk to. AND they tend to remember you when you call. Therefore, it is not really a cold call. you're just following up, to make sure they received your gift!
Cold Calling Tip #4: Keep in mind, the gatekeeper is your friend!
The "gatekeeper" is better known as the secretary, employee, receptionist, or relative that keeps the "riff-raff" away. They are there for a reason so you should appreciate them. Get them on your side! A great way to do that is to say, "Maybe you can help me...". Make sure you always get their name and refer to it several times in the conversation.
Cold Calling Tip #5: Focus on your goals and reward yourself.
Make goals for yourself, like if you are calling huge corporations, you will talk to at least 6 owners within the week. Or, if you're contacting small businesses you will get 2 new clients. Remember that cold calling isn't ALL about getting a sale, but a chance to make a sale. If you're able to make some appointments or share what you do with a few people, then you've had a great week. After you have reached your cold calling goals, reward yourself! Have that massage, go to that fav restaurant, get that long-awaited mani/pedi, whatever. But do something to get yourself motivated to keep going!
Cold Calling Tip #6: Be specific.
If you are setting up appointments or call backs, make sure you specify when you will meet. INSTEAD of asking when's good for the customer, say something like, "it would be great to meet up, how would this Thursday at 4pm work for you? No? Well what about Friday at 4pm?"...be specific all the time, so people feel even worse if they bail on you :), that's just reality.
Cold Calling Tip #7: Know the facts.
According to AllBusiness.com, "Eighty percent of new sales are made after the fifth contact, yet the majority of sales people give up after the second call". So don't be that person that thinks, "it's not working". You have to build relationships and work people up to where you want them.
Cold Calling Tip #8: Outsource it!
These calls are not the most fun thing to do with your time. Most of us have other things we need to worry about within our business, that cold calling takes a backseat. So, why not outsource it? Have someone else do it for you! I know what you're saying though, "it's too expensive to hire a professional to make these calls!" But I have news, now it isn't!
Busy925© is in its beta stages, helping small businesses grow one cold call at a time. Busy925© makes the calls you're 2 busy 2 make! Any cold calling, marketing surveys, customers you need to follow-up with and see if they're interested in more products or services, post expo calls, Busy925© will call them too! If you have constant leads, follow ups, or reorders that need to be made monthly, Busy925© has affordable monthly plans that take the responsibility of your cold calls right out of your hands! Let them worry about it and tell you how it goes. Right now, Busy925© has a Grand Opening special. Get 30 calls made for only $20! Don't miss out on this opportunity. Only available until 11/11/11!
Cold calling is the new black. The thing to do to build a successful business, the thing to do to find new customers. Believe it or not there are people out there that need your business! Find them or let Busy925© do it for you! Check them out here... Busy925.com
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