6 effective cold calling tips and techniques in 2021
Tips and tactics for cold calling abound on the internet. The primary motive for this is to increase the morale of disgruntled salespeople! Despite the fact that most people dislike cold calling, reaching out to cold prospects over the phone is not going away anytime soon. Despite the existence of emails, social media, and instant messages, cold calling will continue to hold a place in the world of sales. Let’s learn a little about cold calling before we look at the best cold calling tips.
Salespeople who are looking for new customers should use cold calling as a technique. Many companies hire sales agents to make cold calls to inform customers about a product and, with good sales training, to prospect for new loyal customers.
So, how does cold calling actually work? Your business compiles a database of names and phone numbers from which to work. Market research may point you in the direction of people who would be interested in your products or services. A referral could also provide you with the lead’s contact information. In any case, you know a little about the lead, but they don’t know anything about you. The call then proceeds in the same manner as any other sales call. You call the lead, start a casual conversation with them, and then direct the topic toward your products and services. By the way, despite its name, cold calling does not always imply making a phone call.
1. Make a call schedule that works for you:
You’re missing out on an opportunity if you call prospects at random times between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day. You may better focus your efforts during times when they will have the most impact by keeping track of when prospects are more likely to answer the phone and when they are more likely to speak with you. Find the times of day when you’re most likely to get a call and concentrate your efforts on interacting with the best prospects during those times. Other times can be used to plan, prepare, compose additional sequences, and fine-tune your script.
2. Prepare a powerful first sentence:
You just have ten seconds to show that you’re worth chatting to, so stand out from the crowd. After introducing yourself, personalise the conversation by weaving in your research and focusing on your prospect. For instance, you may begin with a complement on a recent professional achievement you discovered while conducting research. Here are some powerful opening lines that focus on your prospect rather than you.
“I saw you manage ” “I saw your post regarding ”
“Congratulations on _____” is a common greeting.
“Excellent ideas about ”
“The work you’ve done on has motivated me.”
3. Leave a voicemail:
Some people may not answer the phone because they are busy or because they are unaware that it is ringing. However, there is another reason for not responding. According to a recent survey, 87 percent of people do not answer calls from unknown numbers. It’s no surprise that I don’t answer a phone call without first checking the number. So, should you quit up or keep calling till the prospect picks up the phone? In the first scenario, you’re squandering an opportunity to engage with that client. There’s a good probability you’ll get blocked in the second. Is there any other option?
Yes, leave a voicemail. I do check the names of people/companies that called me, but does it tell me why they called me? If you leave a voicemail with your name, company, the reason for calling, and your phone number, it’s more likely that the prospect will call you back. Voicemails should be short, clear, and straight to the point. The best length for voice messages is between 20 and 30 seconds. It’s a good idea to have a voicemail script prepared in advance so as not to waste precious seconds on unnecessary details.
4. Don’t use the cold calling script like a robot:
While adopting a sales presentation can be beneficial, you should avoid sounding like a machine reading the lines word for word. Try improvising with the script as if you were an actor. In the dialogue, you should express your human emotions. To get the conversation going, start by memorising the introduction and being prepared with open-ended questions. Prepare prepared for frequent inquiries and their replies. Maintain a high level of accuracy in the script while keeping the emotions alive.
5. Invest in a headset:
According to data from Peak Sales Recruiting, simply using a headset can increase your cold calling effectiveness by 50%. There are a variety of different reasons to get a headset. One of them has to do with your physical well-being and pain tolerance. Cradling a phone isn’t the most pleasurable experience. It can be harmful to your health if you do it every day for years. You could be suffering from back pain, neck pain, or even postural issues. For both regular and cold calling, a headset precludes all of this. You can say all the right things, but if your tone of voice doesn’t match, you won’t be able to close the deal. You want to come across as confident and forceful, but not aggressive. In cold calls, there is no tolerance for aggressiveness. Yes, you’re hoping to close a deal, but keeping the same tone is crucial, even if things aren’t going your way.
6. Overcome call reluctance:
According to studies, call reluctance causes 80 percent of new salesmen to fail. It’s natural to feel nervous before a cold call, but with the correct preparation, you’ll be able to overcome it. When you’re nervous in the future, remember to: Wherever possible, look for the bright side: Every call should be viewed as a learning opportunity, regardless of the outcome. Take note of the negatives and celebrate the positives.
Hope these tips help and motivate you for your next killer cold call!
