31 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
31 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

I've Plateaued. How to cold call for 2 hours per day?

by maxrezn
25 replies
I've been offering marketing services to businesses in my city since May 2012. I had my biggest successes with cold calling to set appointments. I'd find leads using Living Social, Groupon, Yellow Pages, scrapers, etc. In 2013...i'm barely making 5 calls a day and struggling. It sucks...but I honestly don't know where to look for leads. Id like to be making calls for 2 hours a day 5 days a week how I used to be. But I feel like I've exhausted my sources. It's a pretty scary feeling. I like to think from a viewpoint of abundance typically, but this is just frustrating me.

I need to get unstuck and get back to sitting down and running through a list for 2 hours every day. What have you done in the past to get through a slump or a plateau?
#call #cold #day #hours #plateaued
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Why have your original sources dried up?

    Are you saying that you spoke with someone one time, qualified them Out, and they're qualified Out forever?

    Go back to lead #1, assuming it's been 3 to 6 months since your last conversation, and call them again. Their circumstances may have changed.
    Signature
    >> How To Grow Your Online Business [FREE Training Video, No Opt-In, from 10+ Year Vet]

    >> For Agency Founders: The Fast Shortcut To Selling SEO, Leadgen, Webdesign & Other Services
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7727139].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author maxrezn
      Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

      Why have your original sources dried up?

      Are you saying that you spoke with someone one time, qualified them Out, and they're qualified Out forever?

      Go back to lead #1, assuming it's been 3 to 6 months since your last conversation, and call them again. Their circumstances may have changed.
      I've done that with a couple niches, and it hasn't yielded much at all. Still the same responses, even to different offers.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7727168].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    How about LinkedIn? Join groups that are related to your field...making a call list could be a bit tedious, but at least you know they're real businesses.
    Signature
    >> How To Grow Your Online Business [FREE Training Video, No Opt-In, from 10+ Year Vet]

    >> For Agency Founders: The Fast Shortcut To Selling SEO, Leadgen, Webdesign & Other Services
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7727200].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Follow this thread and get busy at the library, chambers of commerce...:

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

    Also, do something different. You know what Einstein said about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

    Start asking for referral business and maybe network in person via MeetUp
    and other networking groups. Denver, CO, where I live near, has a large business
    networking organization through a spiritually oriented church. Talk about abundance attitude.

    I don't seem to "fit" with the expensive leads groups like BNI - but that's just me. Maybe. But, there's others. Free Chamber of Commerce mixers.

    Study businesses and non-profits you really want to work for and start "courting" them
    for at least some work.

    Maybe get some marketing collateral together and start an educational marketing
    campaign, including cold walking, direct mail, and your online marketing social media.

    Dan
    Signature

    "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7727320].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Robert Domino
    Originally Posted by maxrezn View Post

    I've been offering marketing services to businesses in my city since May 2012. I had my biggest successes with cold calling to set appointments. I'd find leads using Living Social, Groupon, Yellow Pages, scrapers, etc. In 2013...i'm barely making 5 calls a day and struggling. It sucks...but I honestly don't know where to look for leads. Id like to be making calls for 2 hours a day 5 days a week how I used to be. But I feel like I've exhausted my sources. It's a pretty scary feeling. I like to think from a viewpoint of abundance typically, but this is just frustrating me.

    I need to get unstuck and get back to sitting down and running through a list for 2 hours every day. What have you done in the past to get through a slump or a plateau?
    Restructure your offers and make them state wide, or nation wide. You'll never run out of people to call.

    Instead of scheduling face to face meetings (which must be very time consuming anyway) make them take another action.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7727415].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author maxrezn
    I'll for sure get the Business Journal to get the new business listings. LinkedIn could be a possibility...but I'm not sure how I'd tackle that. I've read all the guides for it but my results never matched the claims so I discredited it.

    I'm just wondering what systems/strategies there are to keep the cold calling prospecting going for years and years. I have no problem picking up the phone, setting an appointment, and closing a couple deals. It's just frustrating as anything when you don't know who to call anymore.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7727550].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
    If you have had success with clients already why arent you able to get referrals?

    Are you selling one off products or offering long term solutions.?
    What happened to your CL success ?
    Signature
    Promise Big.
    Deliver Bigger.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7727651].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author maxrezn
      Originally Posted by Eddie Spangler View Post

      If you have had success with clients already why arent you able to get referrals?

      Are you selling one off products or offering long term solutions.?
      What happened to your CL success ?
      1)I've gotten a few referrals by offering a $350 credit towards their monthly billing, but none have turned into anything serious.

      2)Mostly one off things like video marketing, mobile site design, web design, etc. Before I had clients at $500-$3300 recurring monthly, they all disappeared before the new year for various reasons such as contracts ending, lack of funds, etc.

      3)Craigslist clients were a mixed batch. I'm giving it another shot though.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7727700].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
    What niche(s) have you had success in? Can you leverage that experience by calling on more clients in those industries? What Tom Hopkins calls mining the mountain. Maybe expand out to surrounding communities.
    Signature
    Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
    - Jack Trout
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7727725].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author maxrezn
      Originally Posted by Joe Ditzel View Post

      What niche(s) have you had success in? Can you leverage that experience by calling on more clients in those industries? What Tom Hopkins calls mining the mountain. Maybe expand out to surrounding communities.
      Haven't really found a particular niche to be successful in, I've had a variety of clients. The most responsive would be tradesmen such as HVAC, electrician, plumber, etc.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7727759].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author SashaLee
        Originally Posted by maxrezn View Post

        Haven't really found a particular niche to be successful in, I've had a variety of clients. The most responsive would be tradesmen such as HVAC, electrician, plumber, etc.

        Hi there,

        Sounds to me like you should just give up then. You've knocked every idea presented to you, and it appears you are in a hopeless situation.

        Probably your fastest solution would be to sell your company to one of the troopers above and get a royalty on the sales they'll make where you see roadblocks.

        All the best,

        Sasha.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7727803].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HarveyH
    I think you have to be prepared to sit down for a few hours each day for a month or so and gradually start to build your client base back up, once you have managed to find a few good leads then you should be able build from there.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7727800].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author PanteraIM
    Originally Posted by maxrezn View Post

    I've been offering marketing services to businesses in my city since May 2012. I had my biggest successes with cold calling to set appointments. I'd find leads using Living Social, Groupon, Yellow Pages, scrapers, etc. In 2013...i'm barely making 5 calls a day and struggling. It sucks...but I honestly don't know where to look for leads. Id like to be making calls for 2 hours a day 5 days a week how I used to be. But I feel like I've exhausted my sources. It's a pretty scary feeling. I like to think from a viewpoint of abundance typically, but this is just frustrating me.

    I need to get unstuck and get back to sitting down and running through a list for 2 hours every day. What have you done in the past to get through a slump or a plateau?
    You are struggling not because of your leads but because of your perception of their quality.

    I guarantee that if you sat down for 2-3 hours and just went thru the yellowpages you'd pick up some business.

    And the more you did it the better you got.

    You are choosing to struggle!
    Signature

    you cant hold no groove if you ain't got no pocket.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7728147].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author abbot
      Banned
      Why are you limiting yourself to local business only?

      Go to info free or another lead center and filter start up businesses, specific niches, businesses with large budgets, etc.. From there generate a script that covers your offer for the new business.

      Have your guys start calling (or you start calling). If you're serious about expanding your clientele on a national level, you are going to have to start closing on the phone.

      Appointments are great and thats what you're comfortable with but you or your company will never grow if you don't step out of that comfort zone.

      The least you can do is try it for a week and come back to tell me I'm wrong.

      Best of luck bud.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7728189].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Voasi
    It might help Max to try and focus on a specific niche. Craigslist is great, but the problem with CL is exactly what you said, a mix bag. I still do great with it, but for me, it's just gravy, because you never know who's going to call and what you can offer those people.

    Now, if you go after a specific business vertical, let's say Plumbers, then you can tailor your marketing towards them. You can use direct mail pieces and put out a specific message. You can respond to plumbers advertising IN CL and repond to them. You can join plumbing associations, target them on Facebook/Linkedin, do Google Adwords PPC, media buys... all with a very specific offer to Plumbers.

    You can start building a business... but you need an offer. You need to focus on a vertical.
    Signature
    Want $6,000/mo. SEO Clients? Watch My Free Video!
    We do WSO Designs TOO!!! Best on WF! - Click Here
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7728609].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
    I would simply redial the leads you have, even if they said not interested.. Chances are they won't even remember you after six months.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7729809].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Anthem40
    In this situation, expand niches, don't eliminate them.

    Different niche, different script.

    There is no shortage of leads out there. How many banner ads do you see on every website you visit? How many PPC ads do you see on every search? When did you pick up your newspaper last?

    a hit list is EASY to populate.

    I agree with SashaLee, I think you have just given up.
    Signature
    95% of IM'ers have great relationships with clients who also advertise offline and with other people. Stop missing out on that cash and leverage into it. PM me if you are an established marketer and want to find out how.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731171].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author maxrezn
    And...I'm back. Subscribed to Infofree last night, on the first cold call to a power washing company I made a sale over the phone for reputation management. Phew...

    Now to keep the momentum...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731690].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author abbot
      Banned
      Originally Posted by maxrezn View Post

      And...I'm back. Subscribed to Infofree last night, on the first cold call to a power washing company I made a sale over the phone for reputation management. Phew...

      Now to keep the momentum...

      Rinse and repeat brother..

      Congrats
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731846].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SashaLee
    Hi there,

    See? It's just a numbers game. Keep calling, and you will have success.

    Well done,

    Best,

    Sasha.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731805].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hayfj2
    Use the ADVANCED LINKED IN SEARCH facility on top right of www.linkedin.com



    hope that gets you thinking...

    Regards


    Fraser
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731824].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    To paraphrase Zig Ziglar.... it appears someone have a case of stinking thinking.

    The problem isn't out "there". The problem is somewhere between your left ear and your right ear. Now don't go blaming your nose, ok? It's not his fault either.
    Signature
    Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7732258].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rearden
    Hey JD... Ken.

    Start a thread about tenacity and failures you've worked through in life.

    The fact that max is working through it is awesome to see.
    Signature
    David Duford -- Providing On-Going, Personalized Mentorship And Training From A Real Final Expense Producer To Agents New To The Final Expense Life Insurance Business.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7732616].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author shane_k
      Originally Posted by Rearden View Post

      Hey JD... Ken.

      Start a thread about tenacity and failures you've worked through in life.

      The fact that max is working through it is awesome to see.

      Why wait for JD or Ken, you could start that thread.


      I am sure the knowledge that you have gained overcoming obstacles in your life will be just as valuable as what JD or Ken have learned.

      Not only that but it will be from a different perspective than what has already been heard on this forum.

      Sure you might feel that you don't have as much experience as them, but your own unique set of circumstances and knowledge can provide value in ways you probably haven't imagined

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7740900].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Hesster
    Check out your local library's web site. Many of them have online business databases you can access right from your computer at home. If your library doesn't, check the library systems where relatives live and get one of them to give you their library card number and you can sign right in. I have access to both InfoUSA and the Dunn & Bradstreet Million Dollar Database this way.

    Another option is jigsaw.com. It can also give you names of employees who may be prospects, but cross-reference the names with LinkedIn because a lot of them are outdated. A free account will give you access to names, but to get contact information like emails and extensions costs points. You can buy points or get them free for updating the database.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7736520].message }}

Trending Topics