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Best time, day for cold calling??

by big steve
10 replies
Hi Warriors,

I'm beginning my cold calling journey now for web design and SEO to local businesses in my area and I just want to know what you find to be the best times of the day and what day do you find to be the most succesful in your cold calling efforts. Or does it matter??
#calling #cold #day #time
  • Profile picture of the author Mwind076
    It depends on:

    - what types of businesses you are calling (corporate businesses, restaurant, bar, hair salon, schools, insurance, real estate)
    - how big the company is (how many people do you have to get through to get to the owner)
    - time zone (duh)
    - how much time do you need to talk to them? (are you going to go into your pitch on the phone, or are you going to schedule an appointment when it's convenient for you to go in, or call back)

    There's a few more, but essentially, you need to know your audience. If you don't, you can PM me and let me know what types of places you are calling and I'll give you a good estimate of when to call and why. Also, there is usually always a buffer of good times.
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    • Profile picture of the author big steve
      Originally Posted by Mwind076 View Post

      It depends on:

      - what types of businesses you are calling (corporate businesses, restaurant, bar, hair salon, schools, insurance, real estate)
      - how big the company is (how many people do you have to get through to get to the owner)
      - time zone (duh)
      - how much time do you need to talk to them? (are you going to go into your pitch on the phone, or are you going to schedule an appointment when it's convenient for you to go in, or call back)

      There's a few more, but essentially, you need to know your audience. If you don't, you can PM me and let me know what types of places you are calling and I'll give you a good estimate of when to call and why. Also, there is usually always a buffer of good times.
      ok I am targetting local services such as Plumbers, Painters, Tree Loppers etc..ones where I can speak to the owner straight away as this is new to me and I figure a good place to start. I give them a quick explanation of who I am and prices then try to get a scheduled appointment.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mwind076
        Originally Posted by big steve View Post

        ok I am targetting local services such as Plumbers, Painters, Tree Loppers etc..ones where I can speak to the owner straight away as this is new to me and I figure a good place to start. I give them a quick explanation of who I am and prices then try to get a scheduled appointment.
        You can call these anytime, as you will get a mix of vm's, cell phones to owners that are out on the job or that always answer, and you will also get those that are not in the office where you have to call back (just ask the sec when a good time to catch him is).

        DO NOT give your prices on the first call unless you go straight into the appointment. For instance, if you get BOB the plumber on the phone and he says he's in the middle of something, but he'd like to talk to you, get his email address, and then ask what day you should call him back to discuss the email, then ask what time that day. THEN when you CB you take the time to explain. Don't just throw out information without taking the time to set it up and have the appointment. Giving pricing in a quick call before you have talked to him about his business would show him that you are only out to sell and not out to help him. Basically, you want to let him know you have a service that can help him, but you don't want to undersell yourself.

        If he has a few minutes to talk when you call, then you can go into the appointment immediately.
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        Looking for answers on how to SUCCESSFULLY market your company?
        Cold Calling, Appointment Setting, Training, Consulting - we do it all!
        PM for more information

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        • Profile picture of the author big steve
          Originally Posted by Mwind076 View Post

          You can call these anytime, as you will get a mix of vm's, cell phones to owners that are out on the job or that always answer, and you will also get those that are not in the office where you have to call back (just ask the sec when a good time to catch him is).

          DO NOT give your prices on the first call unless you go straight into the appointment. For instance, if you get BOB the plumber on the phone and he says he's in the middle of something, but he'd like to talk to you, get his email address, and then ask what day you should call him back to discuss the email, then ask what time that day. THEN when you CB you take the time to explain. Don't just throw out information without taking the time to set it up and have the appointment. Giving pricing in a quick call before you have talked to him about his business would show him that you are only out to sell and not out to help him. Basically, you want to let him know you have a service that can help him, but you don't want to undersell yourself.

          If he has a few minutes to talk when you call, then you can go into the appointment immediately.
          Awesome. Thanks for the advice mate, will definitely use in my calls. Cheers!!
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  • Profile picture of the author kebertt
    It's best to reach business owners when they are free from their work. We've found early morning/late afternoon to be best.
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    • Profile picture of the author abbot
      Banned
      Don't worry about the times...just dial. You should have set time(s) every day that you call. And no matter what happens, you will call at your set time(s) every day.

      Early morning and late afternoon is great. I have seen great success calling before/after hours, and during lunch break. It don't matter. Just dial!
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      • Profile picture of the author big steve
        Originally Posted by kebertt View Post

        It's best to reach business owners when they are free from their work. We've found early morning/late afternoon to be best.
        Cool. Thanks.

        Originally Posted by abbot View Post

        Don't worry about the times...just dial. You should have set time(s) every day that you call. And no matter what happens, you will call at your set time(s) every day.

        Early morning and late afternoon is great. I have seen great success calling before/after hours, and during lunch break. It don't matter. Just dial!
        Yes sir..I knew I was going to get that reply..lol.. I understand ACTION is key but I also like to plan my day an schedule times for different jobs as I am building just the first few websites myself I want to schedule times for COLD CALLING, Website Creation, Content Writing etc..I like to know that I am planning the most efficient times for Cold Calling as it is the key to getting clients.
        Just after what's worked for others to save me some time I guess..
        Thanks for the reply..Before/after hours, early morning/late afternoon..hmm..makes sense..cheers
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  • Profile picture of the author Offline kiasy
    Depends on the type of business but usually late-afternoon works.
    Just test it yourself and check what works the best for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    9-11 then 2-4
    Then you can run appts in the times you are not calling.
    Before the business opens, lunch, at the end of the day
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    • Profile picture of the author Gatsby
      The best time of day to call is when you have the energy to do it properly. I have been up and down with this question for decades. There is always a rationalization as to why it is best now or later; it is always a good time to call for you, because it will never be a good time to call for them. Business hours of course work well - and I mean 6am to 8pm.

      What really happens is that if you hammer a list, 100 calls later you are most likely going to need a break. No one can call straight through the day and not be heavily affected. This takes mental muscle and it can be twice as straining than a body builder lifting heavy weights. Also, your moods change hour to hour. Social conditioning and a lifetime of memories make 10am feel far different than 8am. 3pm you may not feel like calling at all after doing six hours previous; but that is a great time to call just as well as 7:30 am. After 5 is great, but how alert and vigorous are you going to be at that time? This is all up to you is what I am driving at.

      I hate calling people on mondays - hence the reason I am reading and writing right now. For most, this is prime time to call; but not for me, because my attitude is not in it on a monday.

      You are the salesman, you make the magic happen and no one else. You are the leader to your client's prosperity ergo you are who determines what the BEST time to call is. Also, the more you call the more you will come up with so many reasons one idea is good and one idea is bad that you could write up ten books on the topic. Your biggest job is to determine what are the fallacies in logic and what are valid ideas about calling clients; cold/warm or whatever. Generally its your charm and charisma that is going to break the ice, your critical thinking will navigate the call, your emotion and passion for what you sell will close the deal. Get those down, and you can call London at 1 am and seal a deal. Ok that is sarcasm; seriously believe in what you are doing and its always a good time to talk. Remember, people CRAVE a genuine conversation - that is what really drives business. Communicating ideas that generate revenue - who doesn't want to talk about that?
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