My first 24 cold calls

by s62731
29 replies
So after months of building websites and doing SEO for my own affiliate sites, I feel like I have a good knowledge on performing these services to local business'.

The first step was to get some clients. So I wrote a sales letter and sent it to 27 lawyers in my area which didn't have a website. No calls back.

There are a lot of people on here who recommend cold calling business', and setting up an appointment.

So I got on google, got the numbers of 24 plumbers in my area without websites and dialled away, here was my script:

"Hi mate how are you going?

My name is james and I own a local marketing company that helps small businesses increase their online presence, and in turn their revenues.

The reason I am calling specifically today is to set up an appointment to show you how I can help grow your business with our online strategies.

How does tomorrow at 2pm work for you?"

Out of the 24 people I had 1 guy set up an appointment. And he already had a website so it is to do some SEO stuff.

Anyway most of the plumbers hanged up, said they were already to busy or simply not interested.

Is this a normal response rate for cold calls?

Should I be targeting a different niche?

Or is what I am saying all wrong?

One other thing I have been recomended to do is send out sales letters, and basically say that I will be calling them at x time on x day. And then call them at that time and they will already be warm.

Any advice would be great guys
#calls #cold
  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    AHH! Don't send letters letting them know, they will definitely avoid your call then! lol.

    You know, that isn't bad. Not bad at all. I think that your opening line, "My name is james and I own a local marketing company that helps small businesses increase their online presence, and in turn their revenues." could maybe use some work. I used to do something similar, but instead I have been letting them know I'm calling small businesses to give them a free report, then let it evolve into that.

    Hey, good job though. You picked up the phone and got an appointment. Imagine what you could do making 100 calls a day?
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Without hearing your calls and knowing 100% what you are saying I can't be sure. Honestly a lot of us hang up when we hear a pitch. We simply don't want to listen because we assume it is a waste of our time.

    You need to find a hook that gets you past that natural reaction.

    Some people here have offered different techniques but in the end you will have to find something that works for you. Once you find it you repeat it and learn to make it better.

    Remember what is in it for them. You have to make them see that. And you have to stand out from the crowd.

    Maybe try offering them a report about their online marketing that you will go over in a 30 min meeting. If they agree to the meeting than do the report. Just make it sound like you've already done it. If you offer them value for free they will trust you.

    Also the offline dad thread talks about his system which works because you are not selling but interviewing and offering advice. They than want help implementing what you told them.

    Read some of the threads and you will get some ideas. Then make them your own.
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    • Profile picture of the author s62731
      Thanks a whole heap for your response guys!

      So new plan, call the business and offer a free report on how they can get more customers/clients through the internet, and organize an appointment to discuss it with them.

      Create report, go into appointment and do some consultative selling.

      Maybe if I said something like

      "Hi my name is james and I am calling local business owners to offer a free report on how you can get more customers and increase sales by using the internet"

      Would that work maybe?

      What type of business are usually good to call? I don't want to get stuck with the gatekeeper who will just say "there not interested"

      Thanks again
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    • Profile picture of the author sownsow
      Good idea about calling them and offering them the free report. The only thing is this, in sales... it's not so much what you say as HOW you say IT.

      I am not in the Offline Consulting biz... Yet. But I think that his scripting that he had listed was fairly decent.

      I think the most important thing that anyone can do in this field is to work on themselves and begin reading literature on sales since that is exactly what we are all doing
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Well if you can learn the name of the owner or person you need to talk to first you can ask for them. You just have to find a system that works for you. Remember these are busy people and for some of them even if it would benefit them they simply don't wanna take the risk of wasting time.
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    • Profile picture of the author xDennis
      First off, congratulations on taking the first steps!

      Second off, don't beat yourself up. 1 appointment out of 24 is great for first day!

      As someone else mentioned, per 100 calls, that's about 4 appointments!

      The other thing is, this was your first 24 calls! Imagine how you will be after you have calls a lot more people! Then you will be booking 2,3,4 out of 24!

      I am excited for you, keep up the momentum. You're off to a great start.
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      • Profile picture of the author IndieRetailer
        This is somewhat of a different approach, but you might try it for a split test... call 50 with one script and another 50 with another script.

        Anyway, I think some business owners can be kinda rigid and as such, you might try some rigid words that pique their attention; words like "audit" or "analysis".

        "Good afternoon, Mr. Peterson. My name is James with (name of your company) serving local businesses in their marketing analysis. I've recently completed an audit on your website and found several areas that, with some adjustments, could increase your revenues substantially. Now, I'll be in your area all this week on other appointments and I'd like to stop by and review this with you. Would tomorrow or Wednesday be better for you?"

        Now, whether you actually DID the audit or not doesn't matter because you're not giving them any of the information without sitting down with you on an appointment. If you book the appointment, then of course you review their site and come up with your report.

        The other point to keep in mind is when asking for the appointment, don't ask questions that could lead to a "no". Give them options that can only lead to getting your appointment narrowed down. So, instead of "Can I stop by tomorrow to review this with you?" "NO, thank you." You go with, "Would tomorrow or Wednesday be better for you?" This only gives them two options. They'd have to deviate from the conversation to come up with their own 'no' response. Then, once you get them down to choosing a day, your next question is, "Great, tomorrow it is. Now, is morning or afternoon better for you?" and then, "Perfect, tomorrow afternoon I have a 1pm slot and a 3 o'clock. Which is better for you?"

        Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author s62731
    Thanks again guys.

    Just did another 20 calls to hairdressers offering the free report but no takers. Most of the girls that answered the phones weren't in charge of that stuff and said their boss wasn't there.

    Gona make a list of about 200 different companies tonight, and then from 9:30 tomorrow just go nuts. Might take a few hours but worth it if I get even 2-3 appointments.

    One thing though, what other niches could I contact? I was thinking about chiropractors, but they would be so hard to get on the phone and get past the gatekeeper.

    If only there was a way to find out the names of the business owners so you could just say "can I speak to bob" instead of "can I speak to the owner/decision maker"
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    • Profile picture of the author beldorian
      I wouldn't give up on direct mail so easily. The average mailing campaign, to be successful, requires at least 7 to 9 "touches"

      I would NOT send a letter, but I would send an oversized postcard which had very dramatic color branding, which sends them to a squeeze page that has your unique selling proposition there.

      Have you done the work and put the thought into what makes you unique? If you have, break out your cell phone and record a "free" video which demonstrates the Secret that plumbers MUST know to increase their revenues up to 37% ... or something like that... then after you have the squeeze and video offer up - use the direct mail to send them to the site.

      This accomplishes two things - you will develop a steady stream of clients who are SEEKING YOU; and you will develop yourself as the local authority in whatever niches you are pursuing...

      The other cool thing is that you can always follow-up on those mail pieces with calling - but now instead of a cold call, it is a warm call - "Howdy, Name of Business Owner, did you receive that orange and blue postcard I sent to you the other day...?" "I bet you threw it right into the trash, didn't you???" -make it funny- when they admit they have, you then explain your USP and go from there

      Hope that is helpful!
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      • Profile picture of the author dtaylor
        I would not term 1 appointment out of 24 calls a failure but a great success. Even if you factored in the calls to hairdressers 1 appointment out of 44 calls for your first calls is pretty darn good.

        I think your approach of targeting different niches is on-target. Doing this will often let you find a "hot" niche, one where the latest association information they subscribe to has been stressing online activity for leads. So get 20 roofers, 20 chiropractors, 20 local used car dealers etc. and keep dialing.

        Your overall approach is pretty good, especially considering you have not done this before. For each niche you may wish to put together a short video showing Google search results for their profession + local area showing them that they are not showing and how important it is to be there. Ask for their email and send them the link. These take just a couple of minutes to make and are pretty powerful. If they call you back after watching the video you should have a deal. (Make sure you put your contact information on the video)

        Good luck,
        DTaylor
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  • Profile picture of the author dericks3
    I agree you should be thrilled getting 1 appointment in 24 calls.

    We have days like that where we consistantly make 3/4 appointments out of 100 calls,but its more the exception than the rule.

    Keep pushing forward...
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  • Profile picture of the author CoachMikeH
    Call them, contact them via email, show up. Whatever, but tell them that you could not find them online or on facebook, but that you found their competitors. It will make them crazy and you a lot of money.
    Get your packages together and your pitch down. Practice it on a friend. Offer a service that they cannot turn down. You will get their business. It is all about educating the business owner on what they are missing by not taking advantage of online marketing. You can be their answer to the need for more sales. Position yourself accordingly.
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    • Profile picture of the author David Miller
      If you want to get to the decision maker you need to ask a compelling question to the gatekeeper that will either:

      a. get you the name or
      b. get the dm on the phone

      Something like:

      Hello, I'm calling for xyz marketing group and we are working with several businesses in your area to help them optimize their online presence. We've done a competitive analysis of other plumbers/doctors/dog groomers/left-handed hub cap polishers in your market area, and I know your firm would find it valuable. Who handles that in your firm?

      The gatekeeper won't know what you're talking about and will put you through.

      Another method that works if you know the first name: (this takes some NERVE...but the good kind of nerve)

      You: Is John around?
      Them: Who's this?
      You: Jim, is John THERE?
      Them: Does he know you?
      You: Just tell him it's Jim Smith, he knows.

      It works!

      The tough part you;ve already done...picking up the phone...major props for that!
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      The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything.
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      • Profile picture of the author s62731
        Thanks so much guys for all the support. I cannot thank you enough!

        Today I landed 3 clients off 3 appointments!

        I almost can't believe that!

        @ david miller: next time I will definitely have to try that. Previously if they picked up the phone and I could tell they were not the decision maker I said "could I speak to your boss?".... which didn't work very well. I think confusing them and then asking them if they make the decisions in that are is a good idea.

        @ Kaniganj: I went to send a PM back ( a long one too) but then when I clicked send it said i did not have enough posts. So I send a thing on your wall.

        @ Dtaylor: yeh hopefully I will be able to find that awesome niche... But if I get 3 or 4 of the same business type I will be competing against my self for any SEO I do. How do you overcome that?

        @Beldorian: Yes yesterday about an hour before the post boxes were taken I decided to try another mailing. This time it was a very quick message, which prompted curiosity, with a cut out of there local pages add. Sent 17 and got 3 calls, 2 appointments and now 2 clients (they all called today and set the appointments up today. And now 2 clients)
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        • Profile picture of the author dtaylor
          Originally Posted by s62731 View Post

          Thanks so much guys for all the support. I cannot thank you enough!

          Today I landed 3 clients off 3 appointments!

          I almost can't believe that!

          @ Dtaylor: yeh hopefully I will be able to find that awesome niche... But if I get 3 or 4 of the same business type I will be competing against my self for any SEO I do. How do you overcome that?
          You are right, it could get awkward if you are doing the same service for multiple clients. Usually, out of 20 it would be unusual to get appointments with all of them. (if you do write a WSO quick!) Depending on the area and the services I provide I have no problem working with a couple of businesses in an area.

          If the area I am prospecting has a lot of businesses that have not claimed their Google Places listing I will do a Places listing for 3 or 4 of them. Most do not take a full SEO package but there is still a lot of work you can do for them without conflict. If 1 customer is a golden find and wants everything then he gets first priority.

          Very good start,
          DTaylor
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        • Profile picture of the author beldorian
          See, I told ya Just think if you send out 20, 40, 60, or even 100 a week - the thing about direct mail is that most folks quit after 2 to 4 pieces - if you get a system down where you can send out mailers to the same people month after month, for 9 months or better, you will have too more business than you can handle.

          In this month's Kennedy newsletter, he made this great observation that even GOOGLE is USING DIRECT MAIL!!!

          Hopefully, the irony is not lost here - the biggest internet marketer... the source of essentially all online marketing is using...
          email? No.
          adwords? No.
          direct mail? You bet yer sweet rearus endus! *grins*

          Keep in mind that you have got to zig while everybody else is zagging.

          I would really recommend that you pay the ~$30 for the lifetime membership to these forums so you can PM - it is totally worth it, and when you do, you can PM me, and I would be happy to show you a system that will allow you to put your Direct Mail on autopilot, I use it and it kicks butt!

          Glad to hear about your success - please share your mail piece with the rest of us so we can see what you are doing that has worked!

          All my best!

          Originally Posted by s62731 View Post

          Thanks so much guys for all the support. I cannot thank you enough!

          Today I landed 3 clients off 3 appointments!

          I almost can't believe that!

          @Beldorian: Yes yesterday about an hour before the post boxes were taken I decided to try another mailing. This time it was a very quick message, which prompted curiosity, with a cut out of there local pages add. Sent 17 and got 3 calls, 2 appointments and now 2 clients (they all called today and set the appointments up today. And now 2 clients)
          Signature

          Yewp! Let's do it :)

          If you are shopping for Cheap Car Insurance, please feel free to avail yourself of my service at www.QuoteMyAuto.com Thanks!

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          • Profile picture of the author s62731
            @ seopanda: Yeh I don't think plumbing is the best industry to target at all. I need to go after business with much higher customer value.

            @ beldorian: Direct mail is but lost. What direct mail is google using? the only thing I have heard about is with the google places post card.

            This is what I sent to the business owners:

            "Hey (owner)

            My name is James. I saw this add in the local paper and a light bulb went off in my head. Call me if you want to talk: xxx-xxx-xxxx.

            James"

            And had arrows pointing towards the add that was cut out and stuck to the paper. I think I may have been lucky with the call backs, but will be trying again
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            • Profile picture of the author beldorian
              Originally Posted by s62731 View Post

              @ beldorian: Direct mail is but lost. What direct mail is google using? the only thing I have heard about is with the google places post card.
              What do you mean "Direct mail is but lost?"

              Google sends out a 3 page sales letter to all of their Google Places leads along with a $100 Google Ads card. It is NOT a postcard, but a fully "functional" sales letter.

              Your mail piece sounds great! I would keep that up if I were you - you sent out 17 and got 2 clients... HOLY C&@>! A 12% return... with a marketing method which usually generates a .5% to 3% return - that is a MONEY MACHINE you've stumbled on there...
              Signature

              Yewp! Let's do it :)

              If you are shopping for Cheap Car Insurance, please feel free to avail yourself of my service at www.QuoteMyAuto.com Thanks!

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              • Profile picture of the author s62731
                Yeh I was suppost to say "not lost" haha.

                Yeh I think I may have been a bit lucky with that one. maybe a fluke. Will be doing it again on monday to about 50 business'. Will report back on how it goes.
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            • Profile picture of the author beldorian
              Originally Posted by s62731 View Post

              @ seopanda: Yeh I don't think plumbing is the best industry to target at all. I need to go after business with much higher customer value.

              @ beldorian: Direct mail is but lost. What direct mail is google using? the only thing I have heard about is with the google places post card.

              This is what I sent to the business owners:

              "Hey (owner)

              My name is James. I saw this add in the local paper and a light bulb went off in my head. Call me if you want to talk: xxx-xxx-xxxx.

              James"

              And had arrows pointing towards the add that was cut out and stuck to the paper. I think I may have been lucky with the call backs, but will be trying again
              Can you upload the image of the ad or your direct mail piece to a website, so we can all see what you were using? It would be great to see the piece, and we may even be able to provide you with some additional feedback
              Signature

              Yewp! Let's do it :)

              If you are shopping for Cheap Car Insurance, please feel free to avail yourself of my service at www.QuoteMyAuto.com Thanks!

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            • Beauty is in the simplicity here. I have been a fan of leaving the business owner to wonder and contemplate myself. Obviously to an extent it could be detrimental, because without peaking their interest they will just throw it away.

              However, in this case, you have already peaked their interests because of a direct reference to something they are ALREADY paying for. They might as well call, especially considering you could even be a paying customer!

              I am very interested to see how that goes for you

              Cheers buddy,
              Sam

              Originally Posted by s62731 View Post

              @ seopanda: Yeh I don't think plumbing is the best industry to target at all. I need to go after business with much higher customer value.

              @ beldorian: Direct mail is but lost. What direct mail is google using? the only thing I have heard about is with the google places post card.

              This is what I sent to the business owners:

              "Hey (owner)

              My name is James. I saw this add in the local paper and a light bulb went off in my head. Call me if you want to talk: xxx-xxx-xxxx.

              James"



              And had arrows pointing towards the add that was cut out and stuck to the paper. I think I may have been lucky with the call backs, but will be trying again
              Signature




              Have a Wonderful Day!

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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Hi S2731, can you receive PMs? I sent you one but I'm not sure if you can see it or reply. If not, please let me know and/or reply here.

    Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author marketingstatic
    Here's my .02 cents I have owned multiple offline businesses. As a business owner we get bombarded with phone calls and offers about 10-15 times per day. You need to personalize the call as much as possible. As soon as you say we/I am helping local businesses you lost me because its not personalized and I know you don't know me. What if my issue which I personally have had isn't more customers. How are you going to help me with I have too much business and the quality is not what I want or I need more time? What Value will you provide? Its different for every business.
    In addition I started out selling young and worked my way up to management. Guess where most rookie sales people start? The phone room calling people all day.
    So as a Savvy business man I know or preclude that if your cold calling me your a newbie/rookie or cant afford a pro.
    I cant recommend enough paying someone to write a good sales script for you in Fiverr or similar site. Most of the pitches I hear online are horrible and as most people have mentioned the odds of getting hold of the decision maker in certain businesses is next to zero. Study a bit about targeting the right business model that has hi end repeat business. Then find out where those kind of people are and what habits are typical of that business. The best way to do this is be an eves dropper in networking meetings or asking someone in the local Chamber where the most popular after meeting gathering places are and go there on those dates about 30 minutes before the chamber meetings supposed to start. I attended many meetings in local restraunts where there was no private room or curtains so you could literally just sit next to the tables they use and listen in and learn.
    I could go on with a ton more ideas but I would say put yourself in their shoes. Sales man ship 101. Remember the best way to warm up a prospect is to use the 3 F's Fell-Felt-Found However you cant do that until you know more about the business challenges. Here's how to do that.
    Example Hi is Owner name there?, No sorry ok are you expecting (insert name)back today? If not maybe you can help me? What can I do for you....(prospect) Could you tell me who created your company website? -If they say I did or the manager did it or family member. Pause....Just something to get information, gather as much intel as you can. Keep asking questions that way when you call back you know more and can have an intelligent conversation and more relevant personalized offer. Example next call Hey Im calling for (business owner) hold on a minute...This is business owner. Hi Business Owner I have spoken to (assistant) she tells me your frustrated with..... or Needing some help with.....Or that so and so did your website and I noticed some things....... Enter just about anything here depending on your call.
    Test things a bit and take note how long your calls are. The longer the call the more odds are you get business or a referral.
    Good job for Making the calls!
    div.image_information{ padding:2px; -moz-opacity: 0.8; opacity: 0.8; background-color:#f9fbdd; font-size:11px; font-family:Arial,Verdana; font-weight:normal; font-style:normal; color:#000000; border:1px solid #000000; text-align:left; position:absolute; z-index:999;} div.image_information{ padding:2px; -moz-opacity: 0.8; opacity: 0.8; background-color:#f9fbdd; font-size:11px; font-family:Arial,Verdana; font-weight:normal; font-style:normal; color:#000000; border:1px solid #000000; text-align:left; position:absolute; z-index:999;} div.image_information{ padding:2px; -moz-opacity: 0.8; opacity: 0.8; background-color:#f9fbdd; font-size:11px; font-family:Arial,Verdana; font-weight:normal; font-style:normal; color:#000000; border:1px solid #000000; text-align:left; position:absolute; z-index:999;}
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    • Profile picture of the author dtang4
      Originally Posted by marketingstatic View Post

      Here's my .02 cents I have owned multiple offline businesses. As a business owner we get bombarded with phone calls and offers about 10-15 times per day. You need to personalize the call as much as possible. As soon as you say we/I am helping local businesses you lost me because its not personalized and I know you don't know me. What if my issue which I personally have had isn't more customers. How are you going to help me with I have too much business and the quality is not what I want or I need more time? What Value will you provide? Its different for every business.
      In addition I started out selling young and worked my way up to management. Guess where most rookie sales people start? The phone room calling people all day.
      So as a Savvy business man I know or preclude that if your cold calling me your a newbie/rookie or cant afford a pro.
      I cant recommend enough paying someone to write a good sales script for you in Fiverr or similar site. Most of the pitches I hear online are horrible and as most people have mentioned the odds of getting hold of the decision maker in certain businesses is next to zero. Study a bit about targeting the right business model that has hi end repeat business. Then find out where those kind of people are and what habits are typical of that business. The best way to do this is be an eves dropper in networking meetings or asking someone in the local Chamber where the most popular after meeting gathering places are and go there on those dates about 30 minutes before the chamber meetings supposed to start. I attended many meetings in local restraunts where there was no private room or curtains so you could literally just sit next to the tables they use and listen in and learn.
      I could go on with a ton more ideas but I would say put yourself in their shoes. Sales man ship 101. Remember the best way to warm up a prospect is to use the 3 F's Fell-Felt-Found However you cant do that until you know more about the business challenges. Here's how to do that.
      Example Hi is Owner name there?, No sorry ok are you expecting (insert name)back today? If not maybe you can help me? What can I do for you....(prospect) Could you tell me who created your company website? -If they say I did or the manager did it or family member. Pause....Just something to get information, gather as much intel as you can. Keep asking questions that way when you call back you know more and can have an intelligent conversation and more relevant personalized offer. Example next call Hey Im calling for (business owner) hold on a minute...This is business owner. Hi Business Owner I have spoken to (assistant) she tells me your frustrated with..... or Needing some help with.....Or that so and so did your website and I noticed some things....... Enter just about anything here depending on your call.
      Test things a bit and take note how long your calls are. The longer the call the more odds are you get business or a referral.
      Good job for Making the calls!
      div.image_information{ padding:2px; -moz-opacity: 0.8; opacity: 0.8; background-color:#f9fbdd; font-size:11px; font-family:Arial,Verdana; font-weight:normal; font-style:normal; color:#000000; border:1px solid #000000; text-align:left; position:absolute; z-index:999;} div.image_information{ padding:2px; -moz-opacity: 0.8; opacity: 0.8; background-color:#f9fbdd; font-size:11px; font-family:Arial,Verdana; font-weight:normal; font-style:normal; color:#000000; border:1px solid #000000; text-align:left; position:absolute; z-index:999;} div.image_information{ padding:2px; -moz-opacity: 0.8; opacity: 0.8; background-color:#f9fbdd; font-size:11px; font-family:Arial,Verdana; font-weight:normal; font-style:normal; color:#000000; border:1px solid #000000; text-align:left; position:absolute; z-index:999;}

      That's some great, actionable advice.

      I've never heard of the 3 Fs before. Clever framework.
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    • Profile picture of the author s62731
      Originally Posted by marketingstatic View Post

      Here's my .02 cents I have owned multiple offline businesses. As a business owner we get bombarded with phone calls and offers about 10-15 times per day. You need to personalize the call as much as possible. As soon as you say we/I am helping local businesses you lost me because its not personalized and I know you don't know me. What if my issue which I personally have had isn't more customers. How are you going to help me with I have too much business and the quality is not what I want or I need more time? What Value will you provide? Its different for every business.
      In addition I started out selling young and worked my way up to management. Guess where most rookie sales people start? The phone room calling people all day.
      So as a Savvy business man I know or preclude that if your cold calling me your a newbie/rookie or cant afford a pro.
      I cant recommend enough paying someone to write a good sales script for you in Fiverr or similar site. Most of the pitches I hear online are horrible and as most people have mentioned the odds of getting hold of the decision maker in certain businesses is next to zero. Study a bit about targeting the right business model that has hi end repeat business. Then find out where those kind of people are and what habits are typical of that business. The best way to do this is be an eves dropper in networking meetings or asking someone in the local Chamber where the most popular after meeting gathering places are and go there on those dates about 30 minutes before the chamber meetings supposed to start. I attended many meetings in local restraunts where there was no private room or curtains so you could literally just sit next to the tables they use and listen in and learn.
      I could go on with a ton more ideas but I would say put yourself in their shoes. Sales man ship 101. Remember the best way to warm up a prospect is to use the 3 F's Fell-Felt-Found However you cant do that until you know more about the business challenges. Here's how to do that.
      Example Hi is Owner name there?, No sorry ok are you expecting (insert name)back today? If not maybe you can help me? What can I do for you....(prospect) Could you tell me who created your company website? -If they say I did or the manager did it or family member. Pause....Just something to get information, gather as much intel as you can. Keep asking questions that way when you call back you know more and can have an intelligent conversation and more relevant personalized offer. Example next call Hey Im calling for (business owner) hold on a minute...This is business owner. Hi Business Owner I have spoken to (assistant) she tells me your frustrated with..... or Needing some help with.....Or that so and so did your website and I noticed some things....... Enter just about anything here depending on your call.
      Test things a bit and take note how long your calls are. The longer the call the more odds are you get business or a referral.
      Good job for Making the calls!
      Thanks for the in-depth response

      Got a lot of different things to try over the coming months.
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  • Profile picture of the author bsummers
    Sending out sales emails can be really effective for any business if done properly and with a good sales email copy. And taking the next step in picking up the phone is a good move. Response rate from email marketing is not that high compared to cold calling or telemarketing. I suggest that you review your email copy and try to improve it, don't offer anything to your prospects yet to buy or subscribe on your first email. You can try on giving out a free SEO Assessment of their website or you may send out a link on how having a website could improve their profitability rate. Also, it is important that you research your prospects. Then you can make a follow- up by picking up the phone. Then ask them if they have received your email regarding and you can set an appointment. And if you get a negative response, don't give up yet. Try to ask if they might be interested to accept your offer or try your offer after a month or two, then you can get back to them.

    Ask yourself what do they need? How can you provide them with those needs? Make variations of your email copy as well as your telemarketing or cold calling script. All businesses are not the same. The process of generating leads from email marketing and telemarketing is not that easy as what it is. To save your time there are marketing companies that provides lead generation and appointment setting services from providing a targeted calling list, email marketing campaigns and telemarketing. Outsourcing is actually very cost- effective for businesses.
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    Need help in LEADS for your business? Ask me on how to generate qualified and targeted leads from appointment setting and lead generation campaigns through calling, social media and email marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author s62731
    @bsummers: Yeh I think the email thing could work, but it is just such a disconnected form of contact.

    I just finished watching a course a fellow warrior put together on consultative selling. It was aimed at IT people selling, but was 100% relevant to this as well. It had one of the best phone scripts I have seen. Highly recommended: Wicked Sales Secrets IT VARs Don't Know (And Get Hurt By!) | Pain Free Profits.com
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  • Profile picture of the author theseopanda
    Don't forget, not all businesses are business savvy. Some make so much money, that the business owners simply never have to learn business skills. Some just put up an ad somewhere (like plumbers) and end up with so much business that they don't know what to do. They never develop any other business skills because they're just too busy.

    2nd, as someone else pointed. These people get 10-15 calls a day, so they simply don't care.

    Why not try health related businesses? Chiropractors, dentists, other doctors? They often have a much better grasp on business skills and their business model isn't based around people calling them because their sink is flooding everything and they need them right now, at 3am no matter the cost. People can call around with a dentist or be more selective, these people need to fight a bit for the business.
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  • Profile picture of the author foxannie
    Hi,

    This conversion 1 out of 24 is not bad for cold calling.
    I am working for a call center and one of our project is exactly offering webdesign and SEO over the phone.
    To be honest most of the niches have similar rations 1 out 20 agrees on an appointment and 7-8 out of the appointments (leads) buy.
    Another important thing is the database. One thing is to call yellow pages, totally another is to call selected data with people who need website.

    Anyway this is business of rejection and if you want to be successful you have to know how to deal with objections and rejections.
    I think it is good idea to try yourself but it's better to leave it to professionals

    Regards,
    forexleads.wordpress.com
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