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Is Cold Calling Suitable For My Business?

by fated82
12 replies
Hi all,

I run a content writing business in my area catering to local business owners. My current marketing activities include email marketing and networking. I was wondering if I should include cold calling in my marketing mix and if so, how should I do it? I also want to mention that I have 300 active business owners (cold leads) in my mailing list. How can I activate these leads and turn them into warm leads.

Rod
#business #calling #cold #suitable
  • Profile picture of the author beeswarn
    Yes, it is perfectly suited for your business.

    And here's a tip: Call on Monday or the day after any holiday when things are hectic and he can see what's effed up right when you're calling.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Yes you can call. There are lots of posts about prospecting here on the forum.

    Rather than talking about article writing, talk about the results that will come from those articles when put in the right places.
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  • Profile picture of the author TrumpiaTim
    Yes, provide a quick elevator pitch.

    Go for the appointment, and all the indepth details of benefits should be covered on the onsite appointment.

    Practice your elevator pitch and you should be fine!
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    • Profile picture of the author Shelbourne
      I agree with what has been said thus far: yes it's suitable for your business, but be sure to focus on the results these businesses can expect after utilizing your services.

      Another thing I would add is that you should do some research and try to make the calls as "warm" as possible - so avoid the generic, one size fits all sales pitch and try to really understand the people you are calling.

      Since you're doing this on a local level with a few hundred leads, you could look up each business and see what they're doing currently. Jot some suggestions down and start a conversation with them regarding their specific situation. Check out the lead's LinkedIn profile and gather some additional data; see who else is working with them and whether there is someone else within the organization you should be contacting.

      There's often only a few degrees of separation between local businesses, so a bit of research will likely reveal links between the people you're calling and other businesses you have worked with or are familiar with. Always helps to say "I worked with so-and-so down the street" or "I did the copywriting for another client of XYZ Web Design Company."

      Hope that helps! Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author Bayo
    There are numerous other more effective ways for you to get the word out about how you can help businesses and cold-calling isn't one I recommend for any serious local business consultant.

    When you think about all the challenges it presents and the effort, if you do have to do it, it should not be your first, second or even third option.

    If you feel like you've tried other things and they haven't worked as expected, then before you resort to cold calling, step back and find out why those evergreen and proven methods have failed to work for you and your business.

    "So, Bayo, you're saying NEVER cold call?"

    No. I'm saying there are far more effective ways to get in front of your ideal future clients and cold-calling is like spitting in the wind.

    If you do feel you have to cold call then make sure you use one of the tried and tested methods such as asking a question right out of the gate that gets a "Yes" (or a "No" response but you still get the information you need)

    Bayo
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    • Profile picture of the author JaffeyApple
      OP I feel that you have perhaps missed the best advice within this thread. I have included below in case you did not see it.

      Originally Posted by Bayo View Post

      There are numerous other more effective ways for you to get the word out about how you can help businesses and cold-calling isn't one I recommend for any serious local business consultant.

      When you think about all the challenges it presents and the effort, if you do have to do it, it should not be your first, second or even third option.

      If you feel like you've tried other things and they haven't worked as expected, then before you resort to cold calling, step back and find out why those evergreen and proven methods have failed to work for you and your business.

      "So, Bayo, you're saying NEVER cold call?"

      No. I'm saying there are far more effective ways to get in front of your ideal future clients and cold-calling is like spitting in the wind.

      If you do feel you have to cold call then make sure you use one of the tried and tested methods such as asking a question right out of the gate that gets a "Yes" (or a "No" response but you still get the information you need)

      Bayo
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  • Profile picture of the author EnzoBlaque
    Originally Posted by fated82 View Post

    Hi all,

    I run a content writing business in my area catering to local business owners. My current marketing activities include email marketing and networking. I was wondering if I should include cold calling in my marketing mix and if so, how should I do it? I also want to mention that I have 300 active business owners (cold leads) in my mailing list. How can I activate these leads and turn them into warm leads.

    Rod
    Well, that all depends on how you want your business to be perceived by your market. All successful businesses are successful due to the brand they create and how their customers view them. Ask yourself, do you really want your prospects first contact with your company to be through a cold call? Because first impressions do count for alot, and that is how they'll always remember you.. 'The guys that interrupted me during that major finance meeting'.. Is that the image you want your company to have?

    I mean, you're already doing e-mail marketing and some networking.. These methods create WARM or HOT leads.. As does direct mail, advertising, flyer distribution and social media campaigns. It is always less difficult to convert a warm or hot lead than it is a cold one.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Beatty
    You should definitely mix "Calls" into your marketing efforts. I do not make cold calls, only warm calls as follow ups to direct mail pieces that I've sent to them. Much easier introduction when I can inquire about the "fed ex" or "priority mail" package I sent them.
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    How I Generated 217 INBOUND Phone Calls For My Marketing Agency <------- Scripts Are Included
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  • Profile picture of the author fated82
    Thanks everyone for the information. I am getting valuable feedback here. I have a list of 300+ business owners or professionals in my mailing list, I guess instead of call business owners I have not met, I will call those on my list first.

    Now the question is, where do I find telemarketing scripts that I can modify?
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  • Profile picture of the author art.kav
    I would suggest that you become familiar with the types of business and the actual businesses themselves. Try to get a name e.g if the company sells cars call in and talk to a salesman. Show an interest in the business.
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  • Profile picture of the author mayankgangwal
    You can make it your self. As we are getting loads of calls from others and according to me know one can explain in details about your business then others.
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    • Profile picture of the author AlexTee
      You've received some good advice from those that have responded.

      My 2 cents:

      First of all ask your self..."What business am I really in?"

      Don't think in terms of content writing but what it does for their business especially as it relates to profit and loss.

      The need you fix is the "business your are in". Then position yourself as that person/business to end the pain.

      Some specific steps:

      Start with what you have. You have a mailing list so send out letters and/or 6x9 postcards with a QR code and URL that points to blog or squeeze page that offers a report.

      The report should be about something your clients would find to be valuable. Collect the emails and begin selling to them via email response system.

      No more than 2 days after the mailing, pick up phone and begin cold calling those on your list and others.

      This multi-pronged approach increases your chances of success because of the multi touch points (letter or postcard, blog or squeeze page, email responder, telephone call and voicemail message)
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