Began cold calling today! It ain't nothin

20 replies
Hey guys, I'm not really knew here, but I'll introduce myself again anyways, my name is Josh Lucas, I'm 19 years old and have just started getting into the offline marketing madness.

I've kind of procrastinated all summer, but even so, I still made my first sale a couple weeks ago, a website redesign for 650 from a guy who I am buying a car from, and that came from just a casual conversation about his business, so remember guys, opportunity is EVERYWHERE!

Anyways, recently I just purchased the Gold membership over at TMF, and I have to say that it is the best investment I have made so far, and I say that for one reason, the lead generator. And that is where I began today, well first I had to get away from girlfriend, but we all know how that goes.

I've only made 20 calls thus far, yeah it took awhile to finally pick up the phone and dial. Anyways, through 20 calls I have talked to 11 decision makers and from that I have 4 that are extremely interested and I have one guy to call back in a few hours to finalize a deal, so I am pretty pumped right now, and I am off to make 10 more calls today, before I call it a day.

I'm going to keep this thread updated daily, I plan on making 50 calls a day, and that is to supplement my other method of getting new clients, so wish me luck guys!


My girlfriends birthday is Friday, so I've gotta get working or face the consequences come the weekend :rolleyes:


Update: I just finished my last 10 calls for the day, only got 6 answers, but got one more guy interested, so overall it's been a pretty good day and I am definitely pleased with the results
#began #calling #cold #nothin #today
  • Profile picture of the author mike_lucas
    You have overcome the number one challenge facing marketers,
    taking action...

    It is amazing how hard that first step it for many.
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    • Profile picture of the author sparro
      Good Job JT!! Don't be afraid to ask for referrals after you close the sale! Do it again tomorrow.
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  • Right On! mike_lucas & sparro.

    I would like to add Good Work jtlucas2511! Could you update us on your progress from time to time. Human interest stories of success are always encouraging to others.
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    • Profile picture of the author jtlucas2511
      Originally Posted by William Steven Wells View Post

      Right On! mike_lucas & sparro.

      I would like to add Good Work jtlucas2511! Could you update us on your progress from time to time. Human interest stories of success are always encouraging to others.
      I'll be updating everyday
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  • Profile picture of the author Seantrepreneur
    Ya this is great stuff! I love seeing ppl are are actually doing something instead of someone with an idea that they think might work, but would rather have other ppl try it first to see if it really does work.

    Cold calling isn't bad once you get on a roll. It's always those first few calls that are the hardest.

    What are you selling? Just website design work or do you offer other services?

    Keep up the good work and keep us up to date!
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    • Profile picture of the author jtlucas2511
      Originally Posted by Seantrepreneur View Post

      Ya this is great stuff! I love seeing ppl are are actually doing something instead of someone with an idea that they think might work, but would rather have other ppl try it first to see if it really does work.

      Cold calling isn't bad once you get on a roll. It's always those first few calls that are the hardest.

      What are you selling? Just website design work or do you offer other services?

      Keep up the good work and keep us up to date!

      Right now, just websites, but of course that is just to get me in the door, and I am also offering it for a pretty cheap price as well, just until I have a good portfolio up.
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      • Profile picture of the author jimbo13
        Don't go too cheap otherwise you will be referred by people who will say 'Use Josh, he only charges $xyz.'

        Having said that, I note you are 19 so the above is really for you to bear in mind for the future.

        Dan

        PS: Your girlfriend will spend 110% of all you earn so ironically the more you earn the more you lose.
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        • Profile picture of the author jtlucas2511
          Originally Posted by jimbo13 View Post

          Don't go too cheap otherwise you will be referred by people who will say 'Use Josh, he only charges .'

          Having said that, I note you are 19 so the above is really for you to bear in mind for the future.

          Dan

          PS: Your girlfriend will spend 110% of all you earn so ironically the more you earn the more you lose.
          I'm just going cheap til I finish about 4 or 5 local sites, so no big deal there.

          And ain't that the truth I'll keep a secret stash for my personal use, so maybe I can keep her from breaking my bank every week
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      • Profile picture of the author midasman09
        Banned
        Hey JT....there's a BIG difference in "Cold Calling" as compared to "Cold-Barging"!

        When I discovered (with my 1st JOB out of Electrical Engg School...at the "Great" General Elect Corp)....that I had replaced a man who was about to get his "Vested Rights" and GE fired him after being a "Loyal" employee for years.....and gave his job to ME...at half the salary.

        Well....when I found this out....I told my wifee that I was going to go on a HUNT for a way to start my own business...where I would NOT have to rely on anyone for my Pay Checks.....ever.

        And....6 mos later I decided to start my own "Burglar Alarm" business. Got everything together and...told my boss I needed a week off for "Personal Biz".

        So...I realized I only had ONE Week to get my biz started (with at least ONE customer)....so....I started making cold PHONE Calls and realized "Phoning" was NOT going to get me an order (cash)....so....the next morning I put together a "Pitch" in my 3-ring binder and....went door-to-door in a retail section....asking to see the Owner and....giving my "Pitch" In-Person".

        Well....after the 1st 3 "pitches"....I blanked out and....went back to my car...recomposed myself....re-adjusted my Pitch AND pricing....took a deep breath and "Barged" into 3 more Retail Stores....with the result being, the 3rd guy BOUGHT...with a Heafty Down Pmt.

        Whala! Yippee Ti Yi Ay! (That's from the Red Ryder movies I watched as a kid) I dashed home to my apartment....grabbed my wife....tossed her over my shoulder and took her to lunch at a fancy restaurant.

        And....I realized 2 things that week MANY years ago;
        1) I could get "instant" contact with decision makers by "Barging" in
        2) I could get them to "Write Me Checks"...even though I was a Stranger walking in...."Cold"

        Been doin' this for years AND....when it came time to start a "Mobile Website" business.....I chose to contact businesses by "Baringing In" rather than "Phoning".

        And...sure....in the beginning....I was SCARED OUTA MY SHORTS! AND...you get over it!

        Don Alm.....long time "Barger"
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        • Profile picture of the author jtlucas2511
          Originally Posted by midasman09 View Post

          Hey JT....there's a BIG difference in "Cold Calling" as compared to "Cold-Barging"!

          When I discovered (with my 1st JOB out of Electrical Engg School...at the "Great" General Elect Corp)....that I had replaced a man who was about to get his "Vested Rights" and GE fired him after being a "Loyal" employee for years.....and gave his job to ME...at half the salary.

          Well....when I found this out....I told my wifee that I was going to go on a HUNT for a way to start my own business...where I would NOT have to rely on anyone for my Pay Checks.....ever.

          And....6 mos later I decided to start my own "Burglar Alarm" business. Got everything together and...told my boss I needed a week off for "Personal Biz".

          So...I realized I only had ONE Week to get my biz started (with at least ONE customer)....so....I started making cold PHONE Calls and realized "Phoning" was NOT going to get me an order (cash)....so....the next morning I put together a "Pitch" in my 3-ring binder and....went door-to-door in a retail section....asking to see the Owner and....giving my "Pitch" In-Person".

          Well....after the 1st 3 "pitches"....I blanked out and....went back to my car...recomposed myself....re-adjusted my Pitch AND pricing....took a deep breath and "Barged" into 3 more Retail Stores....with the result being, the 3rd guy BOUGHT...with a Heafty Down Pmt.

          Whala! Yippee Ti Yi Ay! (That's from the Red Ryder movies I watched as a kid) I dashed home to my apartment....grabbed my wife....tossed her over my shoulder and took her to lunch at a fancy restaurant.

          And....I realized 2 things that week MANY years ago;
          1) I could get "instant" contact with decision makers by "Barging" in
          2) I could get them to "Write Me Checks"...even though I was a Stranger walking in...."Cold"

          Been doin' this for years AND....when it came time to start a "Mobile Website" business.....I chose to contact businesses by "Baringing In" rather than "Phoning".

          And...sure....in the beginning....I was SCARED OUTA MY SHORTS! AND...you get over it!

          Don Alm.....long time "Barger"
          These are the kind of posts I love seeing, such a huge inspiration! I am going to order my business cards tonight, put together a binder like you did and barge my way in, hell I don't even need the cards!

          Thanks for this, after my calls tomorrow I think I am going to pay a few businesses around town and unexepected visit
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  • Profile picture of the author techlover
    Congrats, doing a similar thing to you, you're pretty close to my age but still older.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gail J Richardson
    I only hope I can be so lucky,thanks for sharing your story
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  • Profile picture of the author P1
    Was your first sale for $650 from a cold call?
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    • Profile picture of the author jtlucas2511
      Originally Posted by P1 View Post

      Was your first sale for $650 from a cold call?
      No, I saw this car for sale, so I gave the guy a call and the next day we met up so I could test drive it, and then after we started talking about his business and it just went from there.
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  • Profile picture of the author atrbiz
    Cold Calling WORKS but you need to TAKE ACTION!...which is exactly what you did! Keep it up!

    When I first started my web consulting firm, all I did was network/cold call local businesses and that's how I started getting deals in the door. Fast forward 2 years later and now I have a large team that works for me, my company is growing, and I'm happy with the revenue we're generating.

    Bottom line...put together a game plan, have goals and TAKE ACTION!

    - Ahmad
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  • Profile picture of the author jtlucas2511
    Update: Well today I didn't get to make all the calls I had planned, but I did spend about an hour on the phone with a possible client. He is a locksmith and would like me to get his Google Maps listing ahead of his competitor and would like a website, he said he was going to talk to his wife about it today and give me a call back soon, so it's looking pretty good right now.

    I'll be at it full force tomorrow, so I will have an update ready tomorrow evening.
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  • Profile picture of the author dapirus
    I love it when folks take action. So many folks buy WSO's and have them collecting dust and wonder why they are not making any money. Keep at it and very soon you will have plenty of clients.
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    • Profile picture of the author dmramirez
      First day is always exciting. Hopefully you'll accept a couple words of advice from a veteran:

      "Sell them now or lose them forever"

      There's a sad truth to that line. The minute you let a prospect off the phone your chances of selling him plummets. They always sound good if it's what it takes to get a "telemarketer" off the phone.
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  • Profile picture of the author sgtsavvy
    hey JT... congrats man. what are you saying when you call, or whats your approach? do you have a script/no script, basically try to setup a consultation or try to close the deal rigiht there? what services/how many do you offer them right up front?
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    • Profile picture of the author jtlucas2511
      Originally Posted by dmramirez View Post

      First day is always exciting. Hopefully you'll accept a couple words of advice from a veteran:

      "Sell them now or lose them forever"

      There's a sad truth to that line. The minute you let a prospect off the phone your chances of selling him plummets. They always sound good if it's what it takes to get a "telemarketer" off the phone.
      This is the truth if I've ever heard it. I lost one guy yesterday doing this, when I called back, he talked himself out of it, and chances are, the same will happen with this guy, but there's still hope.

      Originally Posted by sgtsavvy View Post

      hey JT... congrats man. what are you saying when you call, or whats your approach? do you have a script/no script, basically try to setup a consultation or try to close the deal rigiht there? what services/how many do you offer them right up front?
      Hey savvy, I am taking a local approach, so when I call I say, "Hey, am I speaking with Bob?" If it is them then I go on and say" Hey Bob, my name is Josh Lucas, I just started up a business here in 'my city' and what I do is I create websites for small business and help them cut their advertising cost in half, so do you have a couple of minutes that we can talk?"

      And then I work on the sale from there
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