Has cold calling worked for you to get new clients? What made it a successful/unsuccessful campaign? Any tips?
113962
Wow Cold Calling\nBeen doing it for years and average about one new prospect with every 5 contacts made. My closing ratio after that is 3 out of 5 on those prospects actually becoming a client and using my services on an ongoing basis. Following is what I refer to as the Nexxtep in Communicating Effectivly\n\nCOLD CALLING and More\nSpeaking with a potential customer is the same as speaking with a friend\nSTEPS OF THE CALL\n“The total of the whole, is the sum of all its parts” or what I like to refer to as “the steps“.\nWhen I was a kid I use to love taking my toys apart to understand what made them work. Same thing with Cold Calling, breaking down the call and understanding the steps can make the difference.\nGETTING STARTED\nWhat is stopping you?\nA lot have fears of picking up the phone and calling someone they dont know, especially if you have not planned or prepared for it.\nSetting clear and measurable goals.\nCold Calling and Sales is a number game, we all know that. What few do is really look at the numbers and using them to our advantage, helping us to improve our shortcomings.\n Attitude = Rapport\n"It is our attitude at the beginning of a task which, more than anything else, will affect it's outcome." \nWilliam James\nWho’s your customer?\nSometimes campaigns are design to find out exactly who your customers are, other times you will have more information and know this prospect better. Each campaign would have to have their own objectives designed to achieve the results desired.\nFirst objective, make your move\nCold Calling is not about Selling or setting appointments, but more about building relationships whether you are a huge corporation or a one person operation.\nI break my objectives down to 1)making contact 2)establishing rapport 3)moving towards a discussion 4)positioning our relationship 5)moving towards the nexxtep\nDECIDING FACTORS\nAwareness of, Interest in, Desire to and Action that……\nEveryone making a decision follow the above format in the process. One of your jobs during a cold calling is to discover at what level your prospect is at.\nQualify\nRemember this is a lead, not a prospect yet!\nSCRIPTING\nTo script or not to script\ntalented actor, forward thinking lawyer and highly developed explorer\nWould you watch a movie that the actors had no script, probally not. Same thing with a lawyer, they dont ask questions unless they have an understanding where it is going to lead. Add the curiousity of an explorer looking to understand what the prospect is doing now, what they have done in the past, and what they want to achieve in the future.\nRAPPORT\nRapport is not only on tone and infliction, but also about proffesionalism and confidence, not only with your product or service, but mostly about yourself.\nOPENING\nIntroduction\nWho are you and what do you do?\nReason why you are interrupting\nIf this is a cold call, no matter what you believe you are definitly interrupting your prospect. You have made them AWARE of you, now you have to see if they are INTERESTED\nIn their mind they are asking the question Whats In It For Me. Simple put, what are they going to get out of this conversation, what benefit may they realize by continueing. That brings us to the\nThe 30 Second Commercial\nSuperBowl Commercials cost millions of dollars. If you had the chance to have a 30 second spot on the super bowl, how much effort would you put into it and remember the KISS rule. No not the one that is Keep It Simple Stupid, but it is close. KISS means to Keep It Sweet and Short. As you develop your commericial continue to ask yourself the question "So What" to help you fine tune it.\nTHE DISCUSSION\nThe Art of Listening\n"Nature has given to men one tongue, but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak." ~ James Thurber\nPrimary Questions\nThese are the questions you have developed to allow your prospect to start letting you know about them and should be
391443
I would definitely encourage you, because I've often needed to contract out some of those services for my business.  The problem works both ways, though, because it is just as difficult for the businesses buying those services to find YOU.  The other thing that would put me off is that usually such services are critically important to our success, and I'm very cautious about who I would farm it out to.  I think the key will be making the personal contact with other small business people...we're the ones who will most need the services.  Try joining your local chamber of commerce and networking there, or see if there are other networking groups in your area.  I think the personal contact is important, because I'd be more likely to call someone when I know them and they look dependable.  But you might also try putting out flyers at Staples or Office Depot parking lots. All us small business types go there from time to time.  Best of luck to you.
525787
I believe it's like cold calling where you contact people and see if they're interesting in the products and then someone calls them later to do the actual selling.  I was offered a job where they had soft leads which meant a letter had been sent out to prospects and if they sent it back that they were interested then I would have called them to do the final sale.
1139678
I found an internet business that works for me.  If you'd like to check out the site just let me know.  Or send me your e-mail and I'll tell you more about my experience.\n\nGood luck!
439632
There are several women in my church who are in business for themselves cleaning homes and offices.  Their best advertisement is word of mouth.  I have not used their services, mainly because I don't know what they cost.  I don't like haggling or even rejecting people because their fees are too high, but it's something I definitely would like to take advantage of.  Perhaps you can offer some 'first time customer' and referral specials.  Because the person will be coming into my home, I wouldn't hire someone without a personal recommendation from someone I trust.\n\nAnd for the record, I strongly recommend NOT putting flyers on people's cars.  First of all, there are local laws that sometimes prohibit that (I know - I campaigned for one in my town).  Secondly, I get VERY annoyed when someone takes the liberty of touching my car.  That is a surefire way  to get me riled up enough to not only NOT use the services being advertised, but to make sure all my friends know how inconsiderate the business is as well.  My car is one of the prizes I've worked hard for - don't mess with it!
304157
I used to do this, I don't anymore. I was proud once to be called the dip queen, I am sure you know that dips are new customers. What worked for me was the fact that I did not come across as a telemarketer... If you do that, then most people will get negative right off.... I started with hey how are you? Then I listened (I didn't just run off with the mouth), people like to be listened to. I would respond to what they said, and then mention the deal... I would say something like (to bring them off guard)... oh well guess what? You may get angry at first, when I tell you this, but I have something I need to tell you, I am one of those annoying telemarketers. Yeah I remember when I used to get mad at them. They would laugh, and say something like okay, what's your spill? It worked for me... I hope it helps. Oh, and remember, you may still get hung up on allot, but don't think about it, just go straight to the next one. The more people you call, the better your chances are.
365624
Word of mouth is always the best business.  Always ask for referrals from anyone you do business with and ask for referral from someone who says no.  "I was unable to help you, do you know of someone who might need my services"?\n\nBest of luck to you.
654682
A combination of cold calling and mass mailings... It also should be worthwhile to check out what similar local or out of the area companies are charging so you can set out a competitive cost structure.\n\nGood luck!
101424
One that comes to mind of the many that can go wrong is\nNot Knowing your Customer.\nThe more you are going to know about your Customer/Prospect\nand understanding their needs and desires, the better chance\nof success.\nTesting small groups also would be reccommend, this way you\nare not blowing your budget on mistakes.
313550
I work for a consulting/recruiting company.  I would say the first thing to do is establish a relationship with the client.  Get on the phone and make the calls.  Have lunch.  Get that first meeting.  Provide real customer service, not just communication through email.  In the first meeting, your only goal is to get a second meeting.  Spend some time before you go to this first meeting learning about the client company so that you have something to talk about and it will show that you are knowledgeable about the field.  In this first meeting, learn about the person you are with, hobbies, goals, kids, whatever it is that sparks conversation.  If you show up with the intention of selling your company and services, you're just going to be another salesman.  Become someone your client enjoys spending time with and doing business with.  Then you have a chance that when your client has a project, they will send you an RFP (request for proposal).  Then is the time to sell your company.  Research and write an awesome proposal.  Be aware that there are probably a few companies bidding for the same contract.  Hope this helps.
683762
There is nothing as successful as actually getting on the phone, and pitching to clients direct. This obviously only works if you are pitching corporate though. If you are aiming at B2C business (business selling to general public) then it is good firstly to have a website, and then to make sure that website is visible to your target audience. Think about where people would shop to find your product... where would they look?
215898
I wouldn't help a telemarketer unless you paid me.\n\nI hate those darn calls! Get in a respectable line of work.\n\nBut to answer the question I would say it will depend greatly on what you are selling so need to find something in that specific industry.
822241
I've done this. Postal mail gets no response. E-mail gets a standard form answer. Phone calls get a staffer and the run-a-round. If you're persistent and aggressive (in an energetic, positive way) you will finally get a hold of the right people. However, that doesn't mean that they'll agree with your ideas or help you out in any way. \n\nI do volunteer work with my local public schools. I'm always pushing for better funding, new programs, better opportunities for students, etc. You kind of have to get in their face to be heard and actually considered. You have to be willing to hear "No." far more often than "Yes." I imagine it's the same with any issue you may take to a representative.
944066
Cold calling sucks and most companies have abandoned this tactic for a reason.\nI did it for about a year when I first got in the business.\nYou're better off having some sort of lead source, but if you must, a good script is the way to go. If cost is the object, at least get some 2 year old - 2 year arm records from your title rep.\nSomething we used to do is pair up. when one of us got an interested person on the phone we would transfer them to the other. This made the second person seem more credible.\nBottom line - if you're on your own, I'd concentrate on a higher percentage source and if you work for a company, I'd look for another.
316889
What business are you in?  That makes a difference... think of who you are trying to attract and then do searches to see the types of pages those types of people are viewing... maybe you could do advertising on those sites.\n\nYahoo groups is also a good way to get you message out.  Join various groups that your target market would be interested in... most groups will allow its members to post to the group either daily weekly or monthly.\n\nBe sure that your website url is on everything you email or snail mail.  Adding it below your name in the signature line is usually allowed with out being considered spam.\n\nAdd your url to your yahoo profile... you'd be amazed at the number of people who will contact you regarding your  profile.\n\nIf you are still having trouble getting people to your website... find a mentor to help you step by step.  If you are referring to an affilitae program... look to your upline for someone who is successful.  Most people are more than willing to help you to succeed... if you don't have an upline working with you... maybe you should re-evaluate what you are doing.  If you are in business for yourself and not in an affiliate program...contact your suppliers for assistance.  Most suppliers are more than willing to help you to promote their product... the more prosperous your business is the more product you will require from them.\n\nIf you would like information on how I work my business online... or want to chat about this further... contact me through my Yahoo 360 page.
705796
I've contacted many-but only get a generic email back. I did read in the paper of someone who got help from their Senator so I think you should try!
432740
Making cold phone calls to households is not legal anymore.\nAnd even if it was, you would not get any sales from cold calls made by an outside hired company. It would be a waste of money.\nIf it is to set apointments, again, it would not work. You have to use your own, trained and highly motivatd emplyees to get results. some guy in India calling people will get hangups.