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Strange Question

by The Herm
4 replies
Ok, so I've been reading through alot of the threads on here about cold emails vs. cold calling and it seems to me that cold calling is definitely the way to go.

I'm looking for ways to drum up more clientele for my web content writing/copywriting business and would like to target website owners who look like they could use a little help. Instead of emailing them (as I've heard this get's terrible results), I'm thinking: why not call them.

The thing is, alot of these people don't have their number on their site but, I can find it, along with their name, doing a whois domain search.

So, here's my question: Is that a shady thing to do? After all, I would imagine that they would want to know how I found them and while I'd be upfront about it, I guess I want to know if this tactic is kosher?

It's not like I'm getting my leads off of a list of people who want to be marketed to... Does anyone else use this specific tactic to get business? And if so, how do you go about explaining to them how you found them without it sounding creepy?
#question #strange
  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    I personally wouldn't use the whois data since it may not be the person you want to contact.

    Just google the business name and most of the time google will have the phone number listed. Remember they want customers to call them.

    Also not having their phone number on their website shows they need help. They may not even know it's not on their site. Great way to close them based on how hard it was to find their number (make it sound harder then it was).
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    Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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    • Profile picture of the author The Herm
      Thank you for the input guys. I guess maybe using the WhoIs DB isn't really the way to go about it, so thank you for that advice. Maybe I need to go with my gut; if it feels shady, it probably is... And yes, way too much work!

      Aaron, You bring up a great point:

      Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

      Also not having their phone number on their website shows they need help. They may not even know it's not on their site. Great way to close them based on how hard it was to find their number (make it sound harder then it was).
      This is so true! I found a website of a local business that was about as bare as they get. I spoke with this guy on the phone for almost an hour listening to his website woes. Initially, I was only thinking about how he needed more content on his site but, by the end of the conversation he wants me to send a quote to redo the website completely (his 12 year old son did it and I can do a way better job just customizing a WP theme). A little more than I was looking for, but hey - I'll take it!

      Cold calling is where it's at!
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  • Profile picture of the author Irish Intuition
    Sounds like too damn much work to get leads. Have you got involved
    in using Linkedin? Great way to get all the info you need... a lot easier.

    BTW, there is no debate over 'cold calling vs email'. Each are just methods
    as is using direct mail or JV. Use them all
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  • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
    You don't need the persons name when calling.

    The easiest path from A to B is a strait line.

    Just say something like...

    "Hi Mary, just calling about your website,
    who should I be talking to who is in charge of marketing of it please?"

    That one sentence gets to the guts of what they want to know
    about you and you get the name and closer to talking to the decision maker.

    Even getting the persons name doesn't matter when you are talking to him/her
    any way in the initial contact.

    Needn't be more complicated than that.

    That's how we have landed national retail and hotel chains
    and an international brand, Puma Footwear.

    We are not providing website work,
    but a product.

    What you want to talk to them about is interchangeable in the script.

    Best,
    Ewen

    Originally Posted by The Herm View Post

    Ok, so I've been reading through alot of the threads on here about cold emails vs. cold calling and it seems to me that cold calling is definitely the way to go.

    I'm looking for ways to drum up more clientele for my web content writing/copywriting business and would like to target website owners who look like they could use a little help. Instead of emailing them (as I've heard this get's terrible results), I'm thinking: why not call them.

    The thing is, alot of these people don't have their number on their site but, I can find it, along with their name, doing a whois domain search.

    So, here's my question: Is that a shady thing to do? After all, I would imagine that they would want to know how I found them and while I'd be upfront about it, I guess I want to know if this tactic is kosher?

    It's not like I'm getting my leads off of a list of people who want to be marketed to... Does anyone else use this specific tactic to get business? And if so, how do you go about explaining to them how you found them without it sounding creepy?
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