Article: How to Improve Your Cold-Calling Skills

[Darryl]

Good article from INC with some useful tips for all of us in the Cold Calling Game.


http://www.inc.com/guides/cold-calling- ... tter_Sales

[Alan Mater]

Hi Darryl,

Nice article you shared with us.

I've had to cold-call before when I would call leads generated for an insurance company. I really didn't like it much and am not much of a phone person. It's just not my thing. But, as many calls I get from companies cold-calling me, it's obviously a big part of marketing and some people just have a knack for it (as annoying it may be).

This article is great for anyone that wants to learn and improve the skill. That person won't be me, though.

[MichelleJ]

I am with you on that Alan, I have also done my share but must admit I never really enjoyed doing it. I am far happier with what I do now, but it is "different strokes for different folks". Thank goodness we don't all like the same things, would make for a very boring world.

MichelleJ

[Alan Mater]

I am with you on that Alan, I have also done my share but must admit I never really enjoyed doing it. I am far happier with what I do now, but it is "different strokes for different folks". Thank goodness we don't all like the same things, would make for a very boring world.

MichelleJ

Well said, Michelle.

I guess that's why everyone is unique and has different talents and interests.

[Darryl]

Hi Darryl,

Nice article you shared with us.

I've had to cold-call before when I would call leads generated for an insurance company. I really didn't like it much and am not much of a phone person. It's just not my thing. But, as many calls I get from companies cold-calling me, it's obviously a big part of marketing and some people just have a knack for it (as annoying it may be).

This article is great for anyone that wants to learn and improve the skill. That person won't be me, though.

Thanks Alan. My sales coach says it best, "You don't have to like cold calling - you just have to do it".

Of course Cold Calling is not for everyone. It's a tool that one can use to promote their business just like email blasts, ad campaigns, referrals, etc.

As a recruiter, we have to cold call. Not just for clients but for candidates. So if I call you for a job - don't hang up, eh?

Cheers.

[Alan Mater]

Thanks Alan. My sales coach says it best, "You don't have to like cold calling - you just have to do it".

Of course Cold Calling is not for everyone. It's a tool that one can use to promote their business just like email blasts, ad campaigns, referrals, etc.

As a recruiter, we have to cold call. Not just for clients but for candidates. So if I call you for a job - don't hang up, eh?

Cheers.

Your coach said it well. I didn't like doing it, but I didn't have a choice as I was working on commission. So I either worked on improving my technique or I didn't make money. It definitely isn't for me, though.

Well, hopefully it doesn't come down to you calling me up for a job... LOL.

I wouldn't hang up in that case, but it annoys me when I get telemarketers calling about business opportunities that I never showed an interest in, yet they somehow got my name and number. Most likely from my website... which is what really bugs me. I hang up on those types of calls as they don't have a reason to call but yet act like they do.

Now I get automated telemarketing calls which is basically a pre-recorded sales pitch for a business opportunity that plays when I answer, and if I don't answer it leaves a voicemail. At least they give you the option to opt-out, but that doesn't seem to do much good as I just keep getting calls. And, most of the time I don't answer anyway, and I can't opt-out after listening to the voicemail message.

Anyway, that's my rant on telemarketers.

[brokemet]

Phone is a powerful medium to directly "talk" to customer's needs, clients or even to evaluate you candidate's communication skills!

I too wouldn't call myself a big cold caller in the internet marketing industry although even if I'm not calling often, I can say when I call, it means bigger opportunities that you shouldn't miss. And hey, it's my tool to get my effective outsourcers until now!

[ideasuniversity]

Hi Darryl,

Nice article you shared with us.

I've had to cold-call before when I would call leads generated for an insurance company. I really didn't like it much and am not much of a phone person. It's just not my thing. But, as many calls I get from companies cold-calling me, it's obviously a big part of marketing and some people just have a knack for it (as annoying it may be).

This article is great for anyone that wants to learn and improve the skill. That person won't be me, though.

Like Alan, I also don't like cold calling. It sounds to ore like soe one is trying to get some thing out of me by playing and doing it in a bullying way. What works for me though is friendly calls- not too friendly but, polite. Shows you respest the person and some how care!It gives a ore higher result. The person may end up giving you what you want as a result- its an unobvious way to you and the potential client to get them patronize your biz. Think about it!

[ideasuniversity]

I am with you on that Alan, I have also done my share but must admit I never really enjoyed doing it. I am far happier with what I do now, but it is "different strokes for different folks". Thank goodness we don't all like the same things, would make for a very boring world.

MichelleJ

You said it Michelle. cold calling also means that you get an already upset person to be further upset and that doesn't help. iF a not interested then, I' not interested

[ideasuniversity]

Phone is a powerful medium to directly "talk" to customer's needs, clients or even to evaluate you candidate's communication skills!

I too wouldn't call myself a big cold caller in the internet marketing industry although even if I'm not calling often, I can say when I call, it means bigger opportunities that you shouldn't miss. And hey, it's my tool to get my effective outsourcers until now!

Umhhh! You have a point there- guess everything in life has a good and a bad side enh!

[ideasuniversity]

Thanks for the article. I think that it is very interesting to know that there are many people who are dealing with different people and to use the phone to interact with them is a good one. It gives the client a sense of trust and this will help big to your company.

Chloe,
pls, don't take it wrongly but, what about Google ads. Atleast, the potential customer gets to have a choice and go to your site when ever they are ready. then, you know they need you and you aren't running after them- isn't that part of effective arketing- creating the sense of need of soething which leads to demand. They will then accept your offer on any condition you lay down. What about that?

[ideasuniversity]

Thanks for the article. I think that it is very interesting to know that there are many people who are dealing with different people and to use the phone to interact with them is a good one. It gives the client a sense of trust and this will help big to your company.

Chloe,
pls, don't take it wrongly but, what about Google ads. Atleast, the potential customer gets to have a choice and go to your site when ever they are ready. then, you know they need you and you aren't running after them- isn't that part of effective arketing- creating the sense of need of soething which leads to demand. They will then accept your offer on any condition you lay down. What about that?

Phoning in a semi-formal way would at least work better than cold calling, I think!Have a lit chat and go on to what you are trying to get fro them without even them realising so much.This way, you are carrying them along to your target rather than forcing them. Most pple that like force, it throws the off balance and they immediately want out, get scared and lie (which would cost your company more in freq calls or becoe pissed and get outrightly rude like, hanging up b4 u r done, that cld make your ears really burn...

[ideasuniversity]

I am with you on that Alan, I have also done my share but must admit I never really enjoyed doing it. I am far happier with what I do now, but it is "different strokes for different folks". Thank goodness we don't all like the same things, would make for a very boring world.

MichelleJ

Well said, Michelle.

I guess that's why everyone is unique and has different talents and interests.

Right

[jewelrystreeta]

Thanks for sharing the article.
Here is another "How to Make Every Sales Call Count" http://www.ehow.com/how_5287524_make-sales-call-count.html

[JMelillo Coaching]

Another thing that can help is to separate yourself from the outcome. Even the best call in the world won't work every time -- so after you craft a great approach and make a great call, that's it. Then you walk away satisfied with the job you did, regardless of the outcome.

The action of calling (and doing your absolute best every time) is what matters, the outcome is not something you can control. That mindset will help since the rejection rate is high for cold calls.

Also, taking an attitude of finding out information about your client's needs instead of pushing something onto them they might not want/need can help you feel less like a pushy salesman jerk. It's nicer when they react to you more like a helpful friend putting them in touch w/ info they really might need.