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Called 300 people with no Success

by iScotts
25 replies
No I am not going to ask for a better script or a better way to do this etc..

Anyway, This past week I decided to REALLY start cold calling (for website designs this time and not SEO).. Not the one phone call a week stuff I was doing. Well I just called about 300 People and All I got where a bunch of "no not interested", "We dont need a website" :confused: and "send us an email" Well 2 sounded interested and actually engaged in a conversation So I sent them a mock up and I am waiting to follow up to see how that goes.

I think in a way this is a lesson I am being taught on perseverance So I am going to stay calm and keep anticipating more "NO's" while hoping for a "Yes". Now I really understand why successful business men are so respected. Cant wait to join them.. :p

Point of the Post just keep on calling, and this is coming from someone who is still calling and has not broken through yet (well I did get a few project by mistake , some from family but those dont count, well not to me that is.).
#300 #called #people #success
  • Profile picture of the author helisell
    At 300 calls and no responses you need to take a very close look at what you are saying.

    Honestly I applaud your tenacity but that will only get you so far. You need to hone your skills or you WILL hit burn-out.

    PM me your script and I'll make some suggestions to help you.
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    • Profile picture of the author socialentry
      Originally Posted by helisell View Post

      At 300 calls and no responses you need to take a very close look at what you are saying.

      Honestly I applaud your tenacity but that will only get you so far. You need to hone your skills or you WILL hit burn-out.

      PM me your script and I'll make some suggestions to help you.
      What do you mean by no response? No interest or no sales?

      Out of curiosity, how long does it take to develop a working script? :confused:
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      • Profile picture of the author helisell
        Originally Posted by socialentry View Post

        What do you mean by no response? No interest or no sales?

        Out of curiosity, how long does it take to develop a working script? :confused:
        Sorry I should have said 'no results'

        He had a couple of folks interested but they haven't hired him (yet anyway)

        How long to develop a working script?

        About 20 years worth of experience and you should have something good after a few weeks testing it...but it is a working script....and may change.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    There is a reason call centers are meticulous about their scripts and require them to be said verbatim, and that is because there ARE bad ones. I'd take Helisell up on his offer, but if not, your choice. Alot of things work, but you still have to do them in a prescribed manner for them to work.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I am a former telemarketing manager and our scripts were very carefully vetted by myself and the other managers BEFORE the staff were able to use them AND they were supposed to be used verbatim because they were working well for those who did use them.

    Putting a script together is not a 5 minute job.
    It takes a lot of time and thought.
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    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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  • Profile picture of the author iScotts
    Here is my script, I put together 2 different script which I thought were good, quick and to the point. But obviously some advice wouldnt hurt.

    (ME)
    Hi Mam/Sir How are you, I am actually calling about your website, I found your listing on yellow pages but I didn't see your website listed in your listing do you not have one?

    (them)
    Actually we don't

    (me)
    Ok thats not a problem, Well I have a web design company and would love to design one for you. I am not sure If I am talking to the right person?
    (if not right person, I ask for them and then repeat everything I said to them as well)

    (if they Don’t want the site then I move on)
    ELSE
    (IF yes, and ask me to send quote and more info)
    I will do you one better I will also send a mock up design of what your site will look like once I am done how does that sound? Ok then can I get your email address?

    (I then setup a time and date to follow up on the email with the quote)
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    • Profile picture of the author helisell
      Originally Posted by iScotts View Post

      Here is my script, I put together 2 different script which I thought were good, quick and to the point. But obviously some advice wouldnt hurt.

      (ME)
      Hi Mam/Sir How are you, I am actually calling about your website, I found your listing on yellow pages but I didn't see your website listed in your listing do you not have one?

      (them)
      Actually we don't

      (me)
      Ok thats not a problem, Well I have a web design company and would love to design one for you. I am not sure If I am talking to the right person?
      (if not right person, I ask for them and then repeat everything I said to them as well)

      (if they Don't want the site then I move on)
      ELSE
      (IF yes, and ask me to send quote and more info)
      I will do you one better I will also send a mock up design of what your site will look like once I am done how does that sound? Ok then can I get your email address?

      (I then setup a time and date to follow up on the email with the quote)
      As I suspected:
      The script is about as bad as it could be.

      At the point where you're asking them to make a decision, they don't know, like or trust you. They have no information about how a website could help them and they have no way of knowing whether you are an expert in this field, or just a chancer trying to get some money out of them.

      See, selling, whether on the phone or face to face is a skill. It is actually one of the most highly paid skills in the world......if you know how to do it.

      It is definitely not as simple as saying "You haven't got this, I can do it for you, do you want it?"

      There are some highly skilled folks on here who have published some superb teachings about how to tele-prospect. Seek them out. Study what they've produced and re-write your script using the information.

      I honestly think, with your tenacity making the calls, and honesty on here, that you will go on to be extremely successful.

      My very best wishes to you.
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      • Profile picture of the author iScotts
        Originally Posted by helisell View Post

        As I suspected:
        The script is about as bad as it could be.

        At the point where you're asking them to make a decision, they don't know, like or trust you. They have no information about how a website could help them and they have no way of knowing whether you are an expert in this field, or just a chancer trying to get some money out of them.

        See, selling, whether on the phone or face to face is a skill. It is actually one of the most highly paid skills in the world......if you know how to do it.

        It is definitely not as simple as saying "You haven't got this, I can do it for you, do you want it?"

        There are some highly skilled folks on here who have published some superb teachings about how to tele-prospect. Seek them out. Study what they've produced and re-write your script using the information.

        I honestly think, with your tenacity making the calls, and honesty on here, that you will go on to be extremely successful.

        My very best wishes to you.
        Ok this is very helpful, explains why I kept hearing "I dont need one right now" they just dont know the value of a website and they need me to tell them why they need it.. As stated by SashaLee.

        Thanks guys, hopefully I can go and improve my skill.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    Never ask how they are because they are likely to tell you and it gives them a chance to hang up. Don't start with closed questions (yes/no answers) because they will usually say no or yes, whatever it takes to get you off the phone.

    Using Ma'am or Sir indicates you're a stranger and that puts them on their guard immediately.

    Well I have a web design company and would love to design one for you.
    I would add to the end of this... to help you get more customers which everyone obviously needs. You get them to agree.

    These are just a few simple pointers that should help you.
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    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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    • Profile picture of the author iScotts
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      Never ask how they are because they are likely to tell you and it gives them a chance to hang up. Don't start with closed questions (yes/no answers) because they will usually say no or yes, whatever it takes to get you off the phone.

      Using Ma'am or Sir indicates you're a stranger and that puts them on their guard immediately.



      I would add to the end of this... to help you get more customers which everyone obviously needs. You get them to agree.

      These are just a few simple pointers that should help you.
      Yeess I like the part about telling them its to help them get more customers.. thanks man. But overall how is the script?
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  • Profile picture of the author SashaLee
    Hi iScotts,

    Here's something you should try - record your phone calls so you can hear what comes out of your mouth. You'd be amazed at how you will see room for improvement. You will hear how certain conversations flow better than others and you can go back and listen to WHY they flowed better.

    You got a little over 0.5% response (interested folks). That's not zero. It's not great, but it's a start. The key is follow up.


    Best

    Sasha...
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    • Profile picture of the author iScotts
      Originally Posted by SashaLee View Post

      Hi iScotts,

      Here's something you should try - record your phone calls so you can hear what comes out of your mouth. You'd be amazed at how you will see room for improvement. You will hear how certain conversations flow better than others and you can go back and listen to WHY they flowed better.

      You got a little over 0.5% response (interested folks). That's not zero. It's not great, but it's a start. The key is follow up.


      Best

      Sasha...
      Well I searched yellow pages and then did a google search to make sure.. funny enough most of them have their domain names already that they use for their emails.. but some still say they dont need a website?
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      • Profile picture of the author SashaLee
        Originally Posted by iScotts View Post

        Well I searched yellow pages and then did a google search to make sure.. funny enough most of them have their domain names already that they use for their emails.. but some still say they dont need a website?
        Well, then it's your turn to show them WHY they do.

        There's several threads here that talk about building a website, generating the leads, and then passing a few onto the business by saying, "Hello again, listen I have this lead who wants X, can you help them?". If the lead converts they'll be delighted.

        Do this 2-3 times and if they're smart they'll ask where the lead came from. You can then sell them a LEAD MACHINE as opposed to a design package.

        Or if they're just greedy and don't inquire, simply call them and say you have a lead machine for sale, the one that's been sending them good leads, and would they like to buy it, before you offer it to Business X who is their direct competitor.

        Best,

        Sasha.
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    • Profile picture of the author daddykool
      Originally Posted by SashaLee View Post

      Hi iScotts,

      Here's something you should try - record your phone calls so you can hear what comes out of your mouth. You'd be amazed at how you will see room for improvement. You will hear how certain conversations flow better than others and you can go back and listen to WHY they flowed better.

      You got a little over 0.5% response (interested folks). That's not zero. It's not great, but it's a start. The key is follow up.


      Best

      Sasha...
      BY FAR the best bit of advice on WF this WEEK!

      Sasha has highlighted how you can improve your conversions to interested or maybe's, in one easy step.

      Just use positives ALL the time, NEVER ask for someone who might be in the position to "order" or "be interested" in what you are calling about...

      You should do your research BEFORE you call anyone, get their surnames first, find out about the mall/area/niche they are in, so you can continue the POSITIVES around what you are trying to pitch to them...

      Try calling a lot less people, try 5 SUPER RESEARCHED potentials that have crap-o-la websites that have not been updated since Compuserv was around, there are millions of them!!!!

      Stick at it, get a mentor to help [all our students never learn to call out for at least a month!] you a bit...

      Hope that helps
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by SashaLee View Post

      Hi iScotts,

      Here's something you should try - record your phone calls so you can hear what comes out of your mouth.
      Or you could use that time to stay on the phone, and you will get to keep hearing what comes out of your mouth 100's of times per day, making adjustments while in motion, while you are in the calling momentum, experiencing the results of making these distinctions in real time.
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      • Profile picture of the author abozeb
        Did you talk to 300 people, or was it 300 calls?
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  • Profile picture of the author ZeldaKing
    Setbacks are usually perfect opportunities to improve b/c there's no where to go but up. Make sure you're tracking your calls/leads and their level of interest, at least in a spreadsheet, google doc, or w/a CRM like zoho - that way u can monitor how improvements lead to a better lead percentage. GL
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    "Most people prefer denial over testing, and give up before they achieve true awareness."

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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Your script comes across like you're begging for the work. You don't even have the right person one the phone yet and already you're telling them you will make them something. People are very suspicious. It is w-a-a-a-y too early to be talking about any kind of solution.

    Get the right person on the phone first. Then find out how their inbound leads are going. Are they happy with the level of calls or is it not good enough?

    Try this:

    The Telemarketing Forum*.:.*What Should I Really Expect? Selling Websites over the Phone. I need a closer.

    Also this:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...beginners.html

    This will also help you:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...rting-now.html

    Did you have 300 conversations or make 300 dials? Big difference.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mwind076
    Why has no one asked about your list? What's the quality of your list????? Where did you get it, what are the parameters, are they niches you have sold to previously...etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bayo
    Originally Posted by iScotts View Post

    I think in a way this is a lesson I am being taught on perseverance So I am going to stay calm and keep anticipating more "NO's" while hoping for a "Yes".
    Have you also considered that this might be a lesson in the futility of cold calling and that maybe you need to explore a different approach?

    Doing more of the same and expecting to get different results has never worked since time immemorial (there's a nifty, smart alec quote about it too), when what's being done doesn't actually work in context but keeps on being repeated in the belief that something better will come

    BAYO
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  • Profile picture of the author wasel
    Great effort , calling 300 people. I would suggest to change your script after, say, every 20 calls. For the services we are providing, calling should get an appointment and not try to sell them our services.
    We recently tried a new script and saw an increase in the appointment rate. It' s almost like 1 appt every 5 calls. Saw this script in one of the discussion thread.
    Basically, we do not tell them what services we are offerring. We just tell them that our services will improve their brand and get them more customers/ business
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  • Profile picture of the author Rearden
    Find 100 ugly websites in your area, pack your laptop, and walk in 100 doors ice cold, introduce yourself, what you do, and why you stopped by, and ask for an appointment now or later to show them how you can help with their internet presence.

    Sorry. With all these threads, I'm convinced telemarketing is way too tough and complicated when you're fresh to sales and have absolutely no Type A Chest Beating Manager breathing down your neck to perform... or else.
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    • Profile picture of the author willz605
      I don't see a Unique Selling Proposal....

      Why should they "buy" from you? Give them something Free! One of my friends in insurance sales drops off chocolate covered pretzels during his canvassing and it works wonders.....It warms up the gate keepers. He does this every other week to most of the same companies and believe it or not they refer him clients even if they haven't purchased.

      I've seen some really cool things you could do to slowly warm-up all of your phone calls.....

      1. Direct them to your hosted website with the mockup already done
      Before the customer clicks onto their site maybe you could purchase a creative fiverr gig to really wow them.

      Good luck!
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