Cold Calling and a newbie

by Joe85
15 replies
Hey guys,

So I'm wanting to start offering services to businesses. Like mobile websites, seo, and google places things like that. I don't have a business license or anything yet. If I sat down and cold called for 8 hours tomorrow and setup some appointments is it possible to make some money still until I can get my license? I would be outsourcing the work to some other Warriors hopefully. Anyone do this or have problems with it? Thanks ahead for the answers, you guys and gals are a blessing!
#calling #cold #newbie
  • Profile picture of the author Deidra Renee
    I wouldn't worry about getting a business license before starting. Depending on your state I don't think you need one to work from your home ( not sure) you can your business name registered for like $7 though if that'll make you feel better but don't let not having that stop you from making calls. And yes you can focus on sales and outsource everything some ppl don't recommend it, but I do it all the time
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  • Profile picture of the author hotlinkz
    I initially started without a business license but I did not do phone cold calling. I used Craigslist and talked with business owners in-person during shopping trips at local stores, auto repair shops, etc.

    Deidra -- $7 for a business license is not bad. I should have stayed in Missouri (Grandview). Here in Georgia (Atlanta area), the minimum is $50 and up based on projected income for the first year of business.

    Good luck to you Joe!
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    • Profile picture of the author Deidra Renee
      Originally Posted by hotlinkz View Post

      I initially started without a business license but I did not do phone cold calling. I used Craigslist and talked with business owners in-person during shopping trips at local stores, auto repair shops, etc.

      Deidra -- $7 for a business license is not bad. I should have stayed in Missouri (Grandview). Here in Georgia (Atlanta area), the minimum is $50 and up based on projected income for the first year of business.

      Good luck to you Joe!
      Sorry, I meant $7 to register your business name..the actual license is $115 I believe or maybe a little less. but we can get tax id #s for free (don't know how that goes in any other state) and with that you can get a business account with your bank and all kinds of things which is crazy because I know a few people with business tax ID #s that never ended up opening a business, but you can still fool some people into thinking you do and get some *perks* of being a business owner
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      • Profile picture of the author Joe85
        I did cold calling off and on today, I put in atleast a solid 3 hours. I got 1 appoiontment and 16 follow ups/call backs. Not even a full day, feel good about it.
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        • Profile picture of the author SiteSmarty
          Joe, Joe, Joe: What happens when you call all the businesses in your city? Do you start over?

          Pick a business, target them, go after them. If you spend 3 hours doing that, you'll be starting to work for them tomorrow instead of another 8 hours of cold calling looking for someone that's going to stand you up when it gets close to starting the job.
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          • Profile picture of the author Joe85
            an you give me an example of that? How do I pursue one business for 3 hours? U mean call, email, send letter, contact via social media stuff like that?
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe85
    Thanks guys. You know, I have been wanting to get going for awhike now. I have had the ideas but have had some setbacks. I haven't even had the money for a laptop. I barely have 30bucks left after I pay bills. I have a smart phone and a local library though. I have self confidence and vast sales experience. My most cherished tool is The Warrior Forum. Tomorrow, Monday morning at 8am I'm walking out the door grabbing the biggest bull I can find, grabbing it by the horns, and taking it in exactly whatever direction I want it to go!

    Well actually I'm not leaving the house, I'm cold calling for 8 hours straight. Gotta goto TMFnow. I will post my success tomorrow night. This forum bleeds passion, ambition, andindependence, I finally found a church!

    Joe
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    • Profile picture of the author c4822
      Originally Posted by Joe85 View Post

      Thanks guys. You know, I have been wanting to get going for awhike now. I have had the ideas but have had some setbacks. I haven't even had the money for a laptop. I barely have 30bucks left after I pay bills. I have a smart phone and a local library though. I have self confidence and vast sales experience. My most cherished tool is The Warrior Forum. Tomorrow, Monday morning at 8am I'm walking out the door grabbing the biggest bull I can find, grabbing it by the horns, and taking it in exactly whatever direction I want it to go!

      Well actually I'm not leaving the house, I'm cold calling for 8 hours straight. Gotta goto TMFnow. I will post my success tomorrow night. This forum bleeds passion, ambition, andindependence, I finally found a church!

      Joe
      Great Job looking forward to your goal.. don't worry, everyone has set backs, it's part of life... "A setback is a set up for a comeback" Les Brown.

      My thoughts are, it's always a good thing to get a business Lic if you're in exchanging transactions for business purposes, I think right now you're safe; however, you definitely want to think about this later on (when things get rolling). You're lucky you don't live here in FL - they can get up to $150 a year for a lic. in my county yikes! Good Luck To You
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  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    Joe85- Let me know if you need some advice.
    I could show you how to get started for $5 and some simple backlinking work.
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    Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone
    - Neale Donald Wilson -
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe85
    Yes I would appreciate any advice you have. Like I said I have to do everything from a phone/library computer until I can get a laptop. How would I promote my mobile website services without having a website yet? I know craigslist, and posting on local directories is something I can do now.
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    • Profile picture of the author socialmediaking
      Originally Posted by Joe85 View Post

      Yes I would appreciate any advice you have. Like I said I have to do everything from a phone/library computer until I can get a laptop. How would I promote my mobile website services without having a website yet? I know craigslist, and posting on local directories is something I can do now.

      Joe, glad to see you working on trying to get back on top, the right way, with hard work. I can offer you a subdomain or usage of an e-mail address on one of my mobile website domains. I own domains in the mobile website field for almost every region, if it is a major city I typically own it, and if not then, I generally have the state. You can PM me or msg me on skype, which is the same name as here. Good Luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author Warrior Ben
      Originally Posted by Joe85 View Post

      Yes I would appreciate any advice you have. Like I said I have to do everything from a phone/library computer until I can get a laptop. How would I promote my mobile website services without having a website yet? I know craigslist, and posting on local directories is something I can do now.
      Hi Joe,

      A great way to promote your mobile website business without a full scale website is to create a mobile site that can be viewed on your smartphone. Create a QR Code that links to your mobile site and print it out to bring with you when you meet with business owners you have cold called. (I am making an assumption that you are cold calling to set appointments, not sell over the phone.) When you meet with the business owner, scan the QR Code in front of them and then show them your mobile website.

      My experience has been that the "wow" factor of scanning the code gets business owners excited to buy your product-- specifically a mobile website and QR Code.

      Anyway, just some thoughts. I wish you the best of luck in your cold calling tomorrow! Remember not to get discouraged... it'll take 5 or 6 calls to get into the rhythm of calling, but then you just gotta treat it like a game. Every no gets you closer to a yes!

      -Ben
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe85
    Thanks for the help guys, so how would I create a QR code for my mobile site when I get one?
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    • Profile picture of the author pptmedia
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  • Profile picture of the author nacke81
    Hey man ... best way to get started is by telling all of your Facebook Friends that you're doing this kind of work. (BTW, I just moved to Nashville from Atlanta)

    Pick up the phone and call all the people you've built relationships over the years with and say "I saw your info on Facebook and thought I'd call to catch up"

    What you're doing will eventually come into the conversation and that's when you should say "I'm actually looking for local business owners that need to get more customers ... if you know anyone, I'd really appreciate a referral"

    Trust me ... it works.

    Just be honest with people about what you're doing and tell them you need their help with introductions.
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