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When bootstrapping a new business, does anybody still cold call for their first customers?

by kerrya
5 replies
I know this forum is about Internet marketing, but most of the plans I see here take time to build. I see the logic in that.

But while you're building that following, does anyone still pick up the phone and cold call clients anymore? It seems to me that you're more likely to get faster results with a personal one-on-one conversation as opposed to trying to penetrate the social marketing static and get noticed.

Any comments appreciated.

Kerry
#bootstrapping #business #call #cold #customers
  • Profile picture of the author SalesGod
    Cold call for new business? I literally can't think of any better way.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Have a look around this subforum and you'll learn your answer.

    Good conversations with qualified prospects lead to sales.

    And when nobody knows you exist, you need to get those conversations however you are able.
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    >> For Agency Founders: The Fast Shortcut To Selling SEO, Leadgen, Webdesign & Other Services
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  • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
    Originally Posted by kerrya View Post

    It seems to me that you're more likely to get faster results with a personal one-on-one conversation as opposed to trying to penetrate the social marketing static and get noticed.

    Any comments appreciated.

    Kerry
    Welcome Kerry.

    When I first opened my business in 1992 I could barely afford to make cold calls so I used to stand at the door with it wedged open "Hollering" at passers by.

    "Good morning...How are you going?"

    "Great day...isn't it?"

    Within about 6 weeks every local that passed my shop knew me and I got to know them.

    Before long I was getting referrals from people who weren't even customers yet but they referred people just because I was chatting to everyone I could.

    We've only really started cold calling people in the last three years as a wholesale business I started has taken off and it mostly deals B2B.

    The prospects we call are highly targeted and already using alternative products to what we sell so the results we get from calling are very high.

    Our initial call is to send a sample pack to the business we are calling which we then follow-up around 7 days later.

    In many of these cases we are getting small test orders from those follow-ups and then when the businesses are in their next buying cycle we are picking up regular orders and accounts.

    So not "one call closing" but part of a long term prospect building system.

    Best regards,

    Ozi
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    • Profile picture of the author Importexport
      Originally Posted by Oziboomer View Post

      Welcome Kerry.

      When I first opened my business in 1992 I could barely afford to make cold calls so I used to stand at the door with it wedged open "Hollering" at passers by.

      "Good morning...How are you going?"

      "Great day...isn't it?"

      Within about 6 weeks every local that passed my shop knew me and I got to know them.

      Before long I was getting referrals from people who weren't even customers yet but they referred people just because I was chatting to everyone I could.

      We've only really started cold calling people in the last three years as a wholesale business I started has taken off and it mostly deals B2B.

      The prospects we call are highly targeted and already using alternative products to what we sell so the results we get from calling are very high.

      Our initial call is to send a sample pack to the business we are calling which we then follow-up around 7 days later.

      In many of these cases we are getting small test orders from those follow-ups and then when the businesses are in their next buying cycle we are picking up regular orders and accounts.

      So not "one call closing" but part of a long term prospect building system.

      Best regards,

      Ozi
      It looks as though your cold calling was not far removed from the system I employed in my B2B importing business. I call it "warm calling."

      When I started out on my own I would take a little pack comprising a sample, a business card, and a brochure and hand it to the receptionist at any business that I knew or guessed would require such products. I asked her or him to please pass it on to the person who might be responsible for buying such items.

      On one occasion I got a call on my mobile phone when I was walking back to my car. The caller wanted to discuss their requirements with me. This was the quickest response, but I got plenty of responses. These all constituted an invitation to call in and discuss my products. Many sales resulted.

      This system is ideal for selling products that can be sampled, but with some creative thought it could also be used for many types of products.

      Once I began franchising my business I included warm calling in the Operations Manual. Not all franchisees followed the system, mainly because they thought it too demeaning to act like a messenger boy. Those who weren't too proud found that they quickly scored a lot of customers.
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      Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Nguyen
    If all you have to your name is guts and persistence then you have no choice but to do or die.

    Its character building and if you can make something happen by just picking up the phone and talking, the world is your oyster. The best feeling in the world.
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