Who here cold calls from home?

16 replies
Just wondering how many people on this forum make their calls from home. Anyone who does I have to hand it to them. Hitting the phones from home takes some doing.

That said getting an office and working ALONE from there is not much better
#calls #cold #home
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    I do. Have a plan, stick to it, make sure you know your numbers.

    I use a Skype # and that limits me to around 50 dials a day because of Fair Use. So now I know I'm not stuck here forever.

    I also know I need less than 50 dials to get what I want, which are a couple good conversations with decision makers.

    In fact, my daily list might be a dozen or 20 numbers to check in on.

    See, there's the big difference: I don't view myself as some kind of battering ram out there to smash down gates and force my way in.

    More like a Sherlock Holmes detective who is checking around for clues as to whether this prospect is any good as a fit for working with me...or not. And "or not" is just as acceptable as a "yes".

    Make it a habit. Keep it light. Are you sharing awesome value? Then there's no need to "psyche yourself up." Some people are going to be able to talk with you. Others are not, and they're not free to talk to their own mothers right now, so don't take it personally. Just move on to the next dial.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bear Trader
      Jason,


      I think in my case I live in an apartment and my guest room cant be used as an office so therefore I have to make calls from the living room. It's very distracting to say the least.

      It really comes to my mindset and I have no shame in admitting I dont have the right mindset to make calls from home. I came from a Stock Broker background so I have always been used to the busy office and thrived in that sort of environment.

      I am going to get an office space as I believe it would improve my productivity.
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      • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
        Question do you have a car or another quiet place to go ? If you have a car you can sit in there and call your list. Maybe a park setting or a local hamburger joint on an off hour might work. A local RE Investing group made calls in a Panera Bred. In some "Diners" you can sit in a booth away from the people and call from there.
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      • Profile picture of the author Barry Unruh
        Originally Posted by Bear Trader View Post

        I have always been used to the busy office and thrived in that sort of environment.
        You may want to check around your city for shared office space options. That would let you have a little of that "busy office" environment while you build your business.
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        • Profile picture of the author Bear Trader
          Originally Posted by Barry Unruh View Post

          You may want to check around your city for shared office space options. That would let you have a little of that "busy office" environment while you build your business.

          Yes I have been looking. I had a problem though. Most office spaces in an open environment are mostly occupied by creative freelancers. i.e Web designers

          I tried one for 2 months and gave up calling as I was the only voice people heard. Not much fun making pitch after pitch with everyone listening
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      • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
        Originally Posted by Bear Trader View Post

        Jason,


        I think in my case I live in an apartment and my guest room cant be used as an office so therefore I have to make calls from the living room. It's very distracting to say the least.

        It really comes to my mindset and I have no shame in admitting I dont have the right mindset to make calls from home. I came from a Stock Broker background so I have always been used to the busy office and thrived in that sort of environment.

        I am going to get an office space as I believe it would improve my productivity.
        Get some white noise background office sounds playing...give that a try.

        Search Youtube for "background office noise". Options aplenty.
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        • Profile picture of the author Bear Trader
          Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

          Get some white noise background office sounds playing...give that a try.

          Search Youtube for "background office noise". Options aplenty.

          Yes I was pleasantly surprised to see this on YT just what I needed!
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        • Profile picture of the author Sebulba
          Hmmm, I am intrigued by that. Do you have any more information about how white noise may help?

          Seb

          Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

          Get some white noise background office sounds playing...give that a try.

          Search Youtube for "background office noise". Options aplenty.
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          • Profile picture of the author John Durham
            Originally Posted by Sebulba View Post

            Hmmm, I am intrigued by that. Do you have any more information about how white noise may help?

            Seb
            It kind of makes you feel less conspicuous to have some kind of noise in the room other than the sound of your own voice,it also raises your volume a bit and causes you to want to talk over it,which can be good... Overall it can lower your anxiety, and cause you to be more productive.I recommend using the radio,or watching Tv while you cold call from home,or scribbling pictures on paper.... It causes you to be less anxious to be looking at something else while you are talking on the phone, and helps you comes across as more relaxed. Some would say it also helps you appear to be in a busy office to the customer on the other end... and helps to disguise the fact that you are working from home. I dont know how much that matters anymore,really. Personally I like to keep a television on. The distraction helps you to come across as more "Matter of fact...". Casual.
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            • Profile picture of the author newbie_ken
              Regus has a business lounge where you can take your laptops and has free wifi. It not as loud as a coffee shop. In UK they charge £60 a month which is nothing and should be similar to the US. Works out to be around £3 a day which is less than a travel card. The space is a bit cramped though but laptops do sit perfectly and is stable. It does the job.

              The problem is they don’t do lockers. This is something they should provide and charge for. That is my only complaint.

              The contract for the Business lounge is about 6 months minimum.

              I'm waiting for the Surface 4 or Surface Pro 4 to come out and then will join.

              It's worth considering.
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  • Profile picture of the author AlexTee
    Do you live near the ocean or maybe within driving distance?

    One of the best moves I ever made was calling from my car while parked at or near the ocean.

    Set up my laptop, call list, and files in the backseat(my home away from home).

    I'd get there early before the...errr...ummm..distractions arrive!

    Crack the windows so I can hear the crashing waves and feel the breeze then make my calls.

    When I did that...I NEVER HAD A BAD DAY!
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    • Profile picture of the author Sebulba
      Wow, I love it, you have got me thinking now ---

      Seb


      Originally Posted by AlexTee View Post

      Do you live near the ocean or maybe within driving distance?

      One of the best moves I ever made was calling from my car while parked at or near the ocean.

      Set up my laptop, call list, and files in the backseat(my home away from home).

      I'd get there early before the...errr...ummm..distractions arrive!

      Crack the windows so I can hear the crashing waves and feel the breeze then make my calls.

      When I did that...I NEVER HAD A BAD DAY!
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Not 'cause I run one, but because it worked for Fran Tarkenton when he was starting his business career after pro football; check into a hotel for a few days. Especially with the business services they have now. OR, an office share space like Regus.
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    "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

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    • Profile picture of the author SalesGod
      Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

      Not 'cause I run one, but because it worked for Fran Tarkenton when he was starting his business career after pro football; check into a hotel for a few days. Especially with the business services they have now. OR, an office share space like Regus.

      good advice. also puts some motivation on you because you just spent $200 on the room now you have to make sure you leave with a profit lol.
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      • Profile picture of the author Bear Trader
        Originally Posted by DWolfe View Post

        Question do you have a car or another quiet place to go ? If you have a car you can sit in there and call your list. Maybe a park setting or a local hamburger joint on an off hour might work. A local RE Investing group made calls in a Panera Bred. In some "Diners" you can sit in a booth away from the people and call from there.
        Originally Posted by AlexTee View Post

        Do you live near the ocean or maybe within driving distance?

        One of the best moves I ever made was calling from my car while parked at or near the ocean.

        Set up my laptop, call list, and files in the backseat(my home away from home).

        I'd get there early before the...errr...ummm..distractions arrive!

        Crack the windows so I can hear the crashing waves and feel the breeze then make my calls.

        When I did that...I NEVER HAD A BAD DAY!

        You guys must be unto something.

        Well I am open to trying anything. I think I might do this randomly to break the habit of calling from an office.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chingo
    I do. 50-100 calls/day
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