Cold Calling Is Illegal What Do You Do?

53 replies
Hi Fellow Warriors, here in Canada (and maybe in other countries as well) now it is illegal to cold call to businesses and individuals register in the "Do Not Call List", even Bell was fined today

(CRTC announces that Bell Canada has paid a $1.3 million penalty for violating the National Do Not Call List Rules)

Fellow Warriors that use cold calling as their main technique to get clients What are you planning to do?

Do you think this will affect you?
#calling #cold #illegal
  • Profile picture of the author Joshyybaxx
    Same thing is in place in Australia - however I am pretty sure you could find out the numbers on the list and cross check them before you dial, I don't really cold call that much personally so it doesn't change too much and often I could get attention with an email and put in some call to act things like "if you would like to discuss this further please call me on xxxxxxx".

    At the end of the day it's not worth the risk of a fine for a sale
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  • Originally Posted by patadeperro View Post

    Hi Fellow Warriors, here in Canada (and maybe in other countries as well) now it is illegal to cold call to businesses and individuals register in the "Do Not Call List", even Bell was fined today

    (CRTC announces that Bell Canada has paid a $1.3 million penalty for violating the National Do Not Call List Rules)

    Fellow Warriors that use cold calling as their main technique to get clients What are you planning to do?

    Do you think this will affect you?
    So, because of this are you going to stop cold calling?

    There are still many legal ways to cold call in Canada...

    Also, are you 100% sure cold calling and telemarketing are handled the same way?

    Just some things to think about...
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    • Profile picture of the author Jade456
      It's illegal in the United States as well. When it went into effect, it was the final nail in the coffin for most of the telemarketing companies here in Las Vegas. Most businesses just switched to emailing those that are "subscribed" to their newsletter, etc. Of course, the law hasn't caught up to email spam yet.
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      • Profile picture of the author patadeperro
        Originally Posted by Jade456 View Post

        It's illegal in the United States as well. When it went into effect, it was the final nail in the coffin for most of the telemarketing companies here in Las Vegas. Most businesses just switched to emailing those that are "subscribed" to their newsletter, etc. Of course, the law hasn't caught up to email spam yet.
        I think that the results it is exactly the same, bothering people with information they did not ask, if they are subscribed to your email list that is not spamming, because they can unsubscribe any time, BUT if they are not subscribed and you keep emailing them, then yes, that is the same that cold calling, just annoying people with offers they did not ask for.
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      • Profile picture of the author Don Schenk
        Originally Posted by Jade456 View Post

        It's illegal in the United States as well. When it went into effect, it was the final nail in the coffin for most of the telemarketing companies here in Las Vegas. Most businesses just switched to emailing those that are "subscribed" to their newsletter, etc. Of course, the law hasn't caught up to email spam yet.
        AFAIK there is no national "Do Not Call" list for businesses here in the States. I am telemarketed constantly. I can always let the voicemail take the call.

        But even if there were, as a small business owner I have been inundated with telemarketing calls for years now. I never buy from them. A better way to reach me is by snail-mail postcards. I see the message without even needing to open an envelope and can decide whether or not I want to know more.

        I know warriors here who are using postcards to attract offline business, because postcards work, and they don't interrupt the busy business owner.

        :-Don
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      • Profile picture of the author Headfirst
        Originally Posted by Jade456 View Post

        It's illegal in the United States as well. When it went into effect, it was the final nail in the coffin for most of the telemarketing companies here in Las Vegas. Most businesses just switched to emailing those that are "subscribed" to their newsletter, etc. Of course, the law hasn't caught up to email spam yet.
        Read up on the laws. As far as offline is concerned, you're calling B2B. The DNC registry only applies to consumers, not businesses.

        Further, you can register with the DNC and scrub your lists against the database. You get 5 area codes for free when you register your business.
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    • Profile picture of the author patadeperro
      Originally Posted by One Cent Content View Post

      So, because of this are you going to stop cold calling?
      Well I have never been fan of cold calling, and now being illegal...my answer would be yes definitely.

      I am not sure if telemarketers and cold calling are treated different, but I don't see why not, the result is the same, annoying people bothering you to buy something you did not ask, the annoying cold calling techniques have arrived to such a level that now the government is taking serious measures.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Lambert
    I think it's only illegal if you call certain hours. At least here in Cali. There is a law somewhere. Also, if they say to remove them from your list, you have to.
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      In the US, cold calling is not illegal if you are calling businesses. The DNC list only applies to private residences, but even then it's not illegal if you already have an established business relationship.
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      • Profile picture of the author tryinhere
        Originally Posted by myob View Post

        In the US, cold calling is not illegal if you are calling businesses. The DNC list only applies to private residences, but even then it's not illegal if you already have an established business relationship.
        if you think about why would a business have a do not call me number ?

        here's our contact number, but please don't call my business on it ?
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  • Profile picture of the author Quake
    Banned
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      Originally Posted by Quake View Post

      Don't go cold calling, you have it all here....
      On the contrary, you have essentially nothing here at all. Cold calling can be a very powerful marketing tool, if it is done correctly. A major part of our business is the result of cold calling in our targeted offline markets. Do not dismiss proven marketing methods just because there are regulations.
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      • Profile picture of the author DavidSimpson
        Last I heard, in the US it's illegal for residences but not for businesses (I'm not a lawyer so make sure to check for yourself), but most people do not like cold calling anyway.

        You may want to try doing video reviews of businesses websites or their online market if they do not have a website.

        Check out pages 2+ on Google for the market/service that you want to go after for businesses. Show them how their competition is ranking on page 1.
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        • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
          # 1: Start by talking to the business owners you already know.

          # 2: Talk to the owners of businesses where you're spending money.

          # 3: Talk to business owners your friends and family know.

          # 4: Ask everyone you talk to who they know (referrals from other business owners are often the easiest to convert to paying clients.

          # 5: Go to business networking meetings, trade fairs and any other events business owners congregate. You may be able to speak at some of these events too.

          # 6: Become active helping charity groups and sporting organizations that have a high percentage of members who are business owners.

          # 7: Use snail mail.

          # 8: Use email.

          # 9: Use your imagination. It's hardly a big deal if one method like calling on the phone becomes a little more complicated to use.

          Just try something else and keep trying methods with some serious intention to get results until you do get results.

          Kindest regards,
          Andrew Cavanagh
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          • Profile picture of the author Amber Jalink
            Originally Posted by patadeperro View Post

            Well I have never been fan of cold calling, and now being illegal...my answer would be yes definitely.

            I am not sure if telemarketers and cold calling are treated different, but I don't see why not, the result is the same, annoying people bothering you to buy something you did not ask, the annoying cold calling techniques have arrived to such a level that now the government is taking serious measures.
            Originally Posted by myob View Post

            In the US, cold calling is not illegal if you are calling businesses. The DNC list only applies to private residences, but even then it's not illegal if you already have an established business relationship.

            According to the DNC lists (as provided in the link above by One Cent Content), it is NOT illegal to cold call businesses...

            However - I don't *personally* think they like it either.

            On the remark of "if you've already established a business relationship", that's kinda a tricky one.

            You see, that Bell case (I'm in Canada so I follow these too) - Bell WAS contacting some of their own clients...

            but NOT heeding the "please don't call again".

            Frankly, I had issues with them too.

            We left Bell after myriads of mistakes that had me threatening to start a class action suit for their carelessness, and one of the Editors of the Toronto Star agreed with me but got a rep from the head office to actually DEAL with the issues and resolved everything. (Long story short, they said I owed over $500 - when by the time it was resolved, they owed ME $35 LOL).

            So once rectified, and I'd switched - (gone to rogers - never looked back) - Bell kept calling and sending me these letters in the mail.

            When they called, they'd try these "hard tactics" on trying to get us back, (even though they couldn't beat the price AND service I was getting with Rogers)...

            So I told them THREE times to stop calling and remove me from their lists, that I wanted NOTHING to ever do with Bell again.

            Finally, the guy must have done something... but I was still receiving the mail - even though I had called another 3 times to ask for that to stop as well.

            I finally sent a politely threatening letter stating that I WOULD contact the DMA and Consumer affairs for their absolute blatant lack of being willing to remove me at my request, which is my legal right.

            They finally removed me.

            My point:

            Bell was blatantly abusing their "right" as a business by continuing to contact people even after they were told not to, probably using the "they have a business relationship with me" as a scapegoat clause - which obviously did NOT work with the govt. Hence, why they were charged.

            So regardless, people do need to be careful.

            If you do cold call - you need to remove from the list immediately.

            It is my understanding that with the DNC lists, for telemarketers there is a cost to get it in the first place.

            One who contacted me in the past said they didn't know about the DNC list, they had autodialers who just called random numbers.

            "technically" a violation, but they removed me promptly.

            I think businesses are so busy trying to get their own clients/customers dealt with, cold calling is quite irritating.

            You might have heard of a course - it was mentioned elsewhere here on the forum, something called "Never cold call again".

            There are better ways to reach companies.

            Amber
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            • Profile picture of the author myob
              Originally Posted by dimeco View Post

              ...There are better ways to reach companies.

              Amber
              LOL! Cold calling can save years of using "better ways to reach companies" techniques. Our target companies have layer upon layer of departments, purchasing agents, secretaries, etc that can waste your time. My telephone reps can find the right buyers who make the purchasing decisions faster than those who go around schmoozing in network work groups or wasting time in some kind of vague pursuit. Cold calling is an accepted practice in business, and even more so with large companies who have purchasing agents.
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              • Profile picture of the author Amber Jalink
                Originally Posted by myob View Post

                LOL! Cold calling can save years of using "better ways to reach companies" techniques. Our target companies have layer upon layer of departments, purchasing agents, secretaries, etc that can waste your time. My telephone reps can find the right buyers who makes the purchasing decisions faster than those who go around schmoozing in network work groups or wasting time in vague pursuit. Cold calling is an accepted practice in business, and even more so with large companies who have purchasing agents.
                Maybe... we also both live in different countries with different laws... and I'm not talking about reaching "huge" companies.

                What works for you - great!

                I personally won't cold call.

                I get all my business from referrals, and I like it that way.

                Amber
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                • Profile picture of the author myob
                  Originally Posted by dimeco View Post

                  Maybe... we also both live in different countries with different laws...
                  Amber,

                  The laws in Canada and US are actually very similar. We do cold calling to Canadian businesses as well as others. Cold calling really is an accepted business practice worldwide. Of course this is not our only method. Our marketing includes everything else mentioned in this thread and a whole lot more. But cold calling is just a marketing tool, just like IM or trade fairs, referrals, mailing, etc. The more tools you have in your marketing toolbox, the more successful you'll be. Using the right tool in the right market in the right way is the mark of the professional. Good luck.
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                • Profile picture of the author JustinDupre
                  Originally Posted by dimeco View Post

                  Maybe... we also both live in different countries with different laws... and I'm not talking about reaching "huge" companies.

                  What works for you - great!

                  I personally won't cold call.

                  I get all my business from referrals, and I like it that way.

                  Amber

                  I agree completely and it's a far better marketing strategy than anything else i have come across
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                  • Profile picture of the author Amber Jalink
                    I couldn't get back in here yesterday as I do have clients to take care of.

                    But want to stress, in case some took my words wrong (or I implied wrong).

                    The OP said it was illegal in Canada.

                    The correction/clarification was made (and I agreed that it was true), that it's NOT illegal to cold call businesses.

                    I do know a lot of people who cold call - and you know, in my opinion, all the power to you

                    When I stated that companies don't like it - perhaps I said that wrong, the companies *I* deal with (small, typically 2-10 staff) complain about it all the time. So while it might be effective for some, many in the smaller businesses (that I've dealt with) don't like it - but then again, they probably wouldn't admit to buying anything from a phone sales person either LOL.

                    I read your WSO Amir and I did buy the "Never cold call again" book (but didn't like the book because it was nothing new to me).

                    To be honest, I *have* considered hiring outsourcers, I have an ad up actually on my corporate site looking for sales people, however I haven't contacted the few that submitted yet. (Figured I'd wait till the new year).

                    I'm also *really* busy with the development of a major site AND a few clients that pay me 4 figures a month - that's why I also have never bothered with cold calling, and have no desire to. (I got those clients from referrals).

                    Probably just starting out it would be an idea to try various tactics, and if people feel comfortable cold calling, all the power to ya.

                    Yep - we might be handing business to you - but I'll keep the referral business I get any day because they're pretty much already pre-sold

                    Amber
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            • Profile picture of the author The Kid
              Originally Posted by dimeco View Post

              According to the DNC lists (as provided in the link above by One Cent Content), it is NOT illegal to cold call businesses...

              However - I don't *personally* think they like it either.

              On the remark of "if you've already established a business relationship", that's kinda a tricky one.

              You see, that Bell case (I'm in Canada so I follow these too) - Bell WAS contacting some of their own clients...

              but NOT heeding the "please don't call again".

              Frankly, I had issues with them too.
              Unless you're being an ass or overly aggressive, the business owner may not be fond of being cold called, but I doubt they're highly perturbed by it.

              If cold calling isn't something you're personally comfortable with, then fine, don't do it. That's one less person using that medium I may have to compete with. But lets not make it seem like cold calling is the worst thing ever. And lets also not kid ourselves that there's anything tricky about the situation with Bell.

              As you said, they weren't heeding their clients request to stop calling. The law allows them to cold call existing customers under the premise that the person involved is already doing business with the company and, consequently, should be open to doing more business in the future. Once it's established that that's not the case, by being told please don't call again, or remove me from the list & etc., that default assumption is now overridden and subsequent calls or mailings are considered unsolicited and as such unlawful.

              Nothing tricky about that. And Bell knew as much which is why they finally desisted once you threatened to report them.

              * First and last thing I'll say in defense of cold calling... I'm not one for forcing ppl to see the light. *
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  • Profile picture of the author kld
    I think the success or failure of cold calling in general has more to do with how you approach a potential client and what you say to them rather than whether they want you to call them or not. If you start off with "Will you please buy some of my stuff?" they are likely to not be open to hearing about what you have to offer. If you start off on a professional level and ask questions about their business needs and start building a foundation, they're much more likely to be interested in what you have to offer.

    I have found that people most often are quite happy to talk to me about their business when I don't seem to be trying to get some of their money before they know anything about me. Also, a face to face "cold call" works for me. I drop in to see the business owner or general manager. If they're too busy, I smile and say I understand how that goes. I leave some information and follow up on the phone in a day or two. I've never had anyone get annoyed with me for dropping in to see if I can help their business grow. They may not end up as my client, but they don't end up mad at me.

    Obviously, it doesn't work every time but it works more often than it doesn't.
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
      I think the difference between a failing or just getting by offline marketing company and a really successful one is cold calling.

      Sorry to burst the bubble to anyone new to this business, but business owners are probably not going to come looking for you. You have to go get them. That means cold calling, stopping in to their business, going to network marketing places where they are at, etc. In other words, it means doing things that are probably out of the average person's comfort zone.

      Very few offline businesses, or any business for that matter is going to be real successful waiting for clients to come to them.

      I see lots of people making excuses for not picking up the phone. That's fine with me. Less people to compete with. If you aren't calling the business owners in your area, guess what? Someone else is.
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      • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
        Originally Posted by MikeFriedman View Post

        I think the difference between a failing or just getting by offline marketing company and a really successful one is cold calling.

        Sorry to burst the bubble to anyone new to this business, but business owners are probably not going to come looking for you. You have to go get them. That means cold calling, stopping in to their business, going to network marketing places where they are at, etc. In other words, it means doing things that are probably out of the average person's comfort zone.

        Very few offline businesses, or any business for that matter is going to be real successful waiting for clients to come to them.

        I see lots of people making excuses for not picking up the phone. That's fine with me. Less people to compete with. If you aren't calling the business owners in your area, guess what? Someone else is.

        I totally and absolutely agree. Not too long ago I picked up a local SEO client.
        They already had an SEO service they were working with out of New Jersey. I live in the southwest. I asked.... "how did you get hooked up with those guys?"

        He simply stated... "they had the b@lls to call me on the phone, just like you did. I am going with you because you are local. If there is something that goes wrong. I know where to find you."

        I am cool with that.

        I have no problems getting new clients DAILY. Do you? What are you doing? Hiding behind your computer?

        I am VERY proactive in my marketing efforts. I have TM's and Cold Calling Face to Face Sales People.

        I had a new guy start yesterday. He was hired as an Outside Sales / Account Executive. He was training on the phones. Trying to close a Web Design (our loss leader for everything else) appointment and made a sale over the phone.

        This guy didn't know NADA about websites... or SEO... or anything else. He actually came in with no sales experience either. Sometimes it is easier to train someone that doesn't know what they are doing than it is someone set in thier ways.

        So.... I gave him a bunch of literature the evening before. I said memorize this... use this pitch as it is laid out.... and let's see what you got.

        He made a sale within 3 hours of being on the phone.


        My very first $$$ in this business was a result of my 3rd phone call.

        Armed with the right script and soft selling tactic, cold calling is easy.

        It is also LEGAL too....

        Whoever said cold calling is illegal.... keep it up. Your making my piece of the pie that much larger.
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  • Profile picture of the author vip-ip
    What do you do?

    You make more than $1.3 mil before you get busted

    I joke, I joke.

    Best Regards,
    vip-ip ...
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  • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
    Amber you are awesome!

    My hats off to you because you have found what works for you. And you take full advantage of it and make it work to fit your model. Oh... and thank you for purchasing my little report!

    A lot of people dive into the offline world with out any knowledge of sales or "day to day" marketing if you will.

    One thing we have to remember is that this is sales. Yes.... I am in the business of helping others. See a need.... fill a need kind of thing.... but... The only way that I can fill that need is if I sell myself to the person in need. In this case.... the small business owner.

    So this means as an offline marketing consultants. First and foremost. I am in sales. Selling myself, and my services. Also known as "marketing" myself and my business. Either way the cookie crumbles... if I am going to be successful. I am in sales.

    So.... As has been my experience. When marketing a company.... I really need to have at least five streams of marketing going at any given moment. That simple marketing principle is how I continue to grow.

    Cold calling.... is one form of marketing.

    I can't... nor do I.... rely on the one form of marketing.

    I have to be doing direct mail, flyers, print media, refferal marketing, email marketing, telemarketing (cold and hot), direct sales (cold and hot), business cards, network marketing, and... well.... I think that is all that I have going right now.

    Out of everything that I mentioned... Cold Calling... both on the phone and in person, have proven repeatedly to be the most effective and cost efficient.

    There is more than one way to skin a cat.

    or....

    There is more than one road to get to Denny's. (if that's a better visual)

    Now.... knowing that we are all in sales...

    And knowing what sales is... A NUMBERS GAME... always has been, always will be.

    Yes.... A portion of the people say they don't like to be cold called. They are the ones you want. They are the ones that are so co-dependant in nature that they have a hard time saying no.

    Yes.... There is a portion. A LARGE portion that just throw away "Junk Mail" and or flyers. Which is what my marketing peice is perceived as. Even if I try trickery to get them to open a fancy envelope. Once the defense mechanisms detect that it is someone trying to sell something. Straight to the trash.

    Yes... There is a portion that doesn't read the newspapers or magazines our ads are in and may not ever read the ad.....

    Yes.... there is a portion that just throws away business cards... Don't even keep them.

    Yes.... there is a portion of your customer base that does NOT like to be asked for referrals. I know because I am one of them. "I don't want to bother my friends." etc...


    And......

    Yes... there is a very very very small portion... about 1% (2-3%) if you have marketing skills.... that will follow the call to action on your marketing piece.

    You will close about 70% of the 1% because you have pre-qualified interest. Established Authority, Made an Offer, Explained Features and Benefits, Created Urgency, Offered a Solid Guarantee, and have given them multiple calls to action.

    It is a numbers game....


    Always has been... always will be.....

    There are those of you reading this saying to yourself... I sent 10 letters and got back a response. Great... more power to you.

    My third phone call was a sale starting out.

    Does it happen like that every day. NO!

    I have to realize it is a numbers game.... I have to have as many feelers out there as I can. I have to have as many streams of marketing going so that I may grow my business.

    My experience has been.... cold calling... WORKS! Not only does it work. But I get instant gratification.... instant clients. Work today paid today.

    If I can't afford 5 streams of marketing. I can get on the phones and get the money I need. Straight and simple.

    It doesn't have to be permanent.


    If you are in the offline world and seeing success. You work hard and I applaud you. I personally refuse to work "in" my business as much as I do "on" my business.

    I have outsourced almost everything I do.

    I am an offline broker really.

    This isn't my first rodeo. So I really don't want a job. My job today consists of making sure everyone else does there job.

    Easy peasy....
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    • Profile picture of the author Amber Jalink
      Originally Posted by Amir Luis View Post

      Amber you are awesome!

      My hats off to you because you have found what works for you. And you take full advantage of it and make it work to fit your model. Oh... and thank you for purchasing my little report!

      A lot of people dive into the offline world with out any knowledge of sales or "day to day" marketing if you will.

      One thing we have to remember is that this is sales. Yes.... I am in the business of helping others. See a need.... fill a need kind of thing.... but... The only way that I can fill that need is if I sell myself to the person in need. In this case.... the small business owner.

      <snip>

      Yes.... there is a portion of your customer base that does NOT like to be asked for referrals. I know because I am one of them. "I don't want to bother my friends." etc...

      <snip>

      If you are in the offline world and seeing success. You work hard and I applaud you. I personally refuse to work "in" my business as much as I do "on" my business.

      I have outsourced almost everything I do.

      I am an offline broker really.

      This isn't my first rodeo. So I really don't want a job. My job today consists of making sure everyone else does there job.

      Easy peasy....

      Absolutely I only take on clients I want to work with - I don't actually go out looking for them. (At least I haven't yet - and I've been doing this for over 13 yrs).

      When I said "referrals"... I actually never ask for them to refer me to others.

      They do it themselves I guess they get talking about what they're doing with someone, and they get asked who does it for them, and they refer to me because it's working for them.

      I've turned down a few that I didn't want (aka: too much work or too much hand holding OR they balked at the cost and tried to whittle it down to minimal... which means the "too much work" for the pay).

      I don't actively seek clients.

      But as you said - not everyone can do that - and absolutely any business requires MANY different sources of marketing and advertising.

      Congrats on outsourcing I rarely do - mainly because I went through a time where virtually everyone I outsourced or hired to were just garbage people (didn't do the job), or took wayyyy too long to do it.

      This is something I'll probably look at again for 2011 as I have a few things on the burner

      Amber
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      • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
        Originally Posted by dimeco View Post

        Congrats on outsourcing I rarely do - mainly because I went through a time where virtually everyone I outsourced or hired to were just garbage people (didn't do the job), or took wayyyy too long to do it.

        This is something I'll probably look at again for 2011 as I have a few things on the burner

        Amber
        I understand.... I have had so many bad experiences with outsourcing. On both ends... Front end (prospecting lead generation sales) and Back end (SEO web design social media etc).

        But... once again... it is a numbers game. You have to tear thru 10 bad workers to get that 1.

        Actually it has been about a 5-1 ratio. But... you get what I mean.

        That is why I suggest everyone start out themselves. Outsource later.

        Sometimes you have to jump in and grab the reigns and take control. If you want it done right. And you we all want it done right... especially since our name is on the line.

        Maybe I should speak for my own ego driven self on that one.

        Just like everything else... it's all about the numbers.

        I just refuse to let one bad apple ruin the whole bunch.:rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author Ashley Skuse
    I had to do some research on things like spam and cold calling recently to check what was and wasn't allowed here in the UK. Business-to-business will probably always be fine, it's just that guidelines may change once in a while.

    I currently don't cold call. I have done rounds of cold calling before though. I more often write letters and emails, because businesses can then just read them when they get the chance. I do understand the power of cold calling if you have good sales abilities, but I'm really considering hiring this out to someone.
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  • Profile picture of the author bawls
    if the business or individual publishes their email or phone#, spam and telemarketing laws do not apply, here in the states.
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      Originally Posted by bawls View Post

      if the business or individual publishes their email or phone#, spam and telemarketing laws do not apply, here in the states.
      That is totally incorrect. Spam laws, and the DNC list applies to individuals whether or not it is published.
      And it involves quite severe penalties.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Originally Posted by patadeperro View Post

    Hi Fellow Warriors, here in Canada (and maybe in other countries as well) now it is illegal to cold call to businesses and individuals register in the "Do Not Call List", even Bell was fined today

    (CRTC announces that Bell Canada has paid a $1.3 million penalty for violating the National Do Not Call List Rules)

    Fellow Warriors that use cold calling as their main technique to get clients What are you planning to do?

    Do you think this will affect you?
    Here's my Take: "Dont violate the national do not call list" and abide by the rules. Easy enough. Buy a pre scrubbed list. Simple. Problem solved.
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  • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
    Seriously.... Thank you John.....

    I mean... it really is not that big of a deal. there really is no sense in pole vaulting over mouse turds on this issue... if it were a real issue.

    But it's not. So it makes it even worse.
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      There are many tools available for marketing. And the more tools you learn how to use effectively, the more successful you will be in your market. Cold calling is only one of hundreds of marketing tools. Even now, however, cold calling still happens to be among the most powerful tools for building a solid business quickly.
      But like a hammer, you can either hit the nail squarely on the head, or keep smashing your thumb.
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  • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
    This is an absolute truth myob.....

    Cold calling is the fastest most cost effective way to get new clients DAILY.
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      Originally Posted by Amir Luis View Post

      This is an absolute truth myob.....

      Cold calling is the fastest most cost effective way to get new clients DAILY.
      Exactly. My sales people are getting 50-70 new clients each, every day by cold calling. I haven't heard of anyone doing any better than that with any other method except for perhaps very experienced internet marketers with big bucks to spend. With IM, or piddling around with social networking, it could take weeks or longer just to get a paying customer, unless you've got the big bucks. Other methods do of course have their place and advantages for the long term.

      All the customers and leads we generate are loaded into our targeted autoresponders, and the marketing at that point is on autopilot. We do automated reorders, upsells, automatic promotional mailing, and even referrals all on autopilot. But it's also important to call your customers and remind them you are a real person. This is maximizing the best of all methods and tools of marketing.
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      • Profile picture of the author Headfirst
        Originally Posted by myob View Post

        Exactly. My sales people are getting 50-70 new clients each, every day by cold calling. I haven't heard of anyone doing any better than that with any other method except for perhaps very experienced internet marketers with big bucks to spend. With IM, or piddling around with social networking, it could take weeks or longer just to get a paying customer, unless you've got the big bucks. Other methods do of course have their place and advantages for the long term.
        50-70 new clients or warm prospects? If you're doing 50-70 daily then we need to talk. PM me.
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        • Profile picture of the author myob
          Originally Posted by Headfirst View Post

          50-70 new clients or warm prospects? If you're doing 50-70 daily then we need to talk. PM me.
          Actually that's closer to 850 to nearly 1200 clients (orders) every day. Each of my 17 telemarketing reps average 50-70 by cold calling. We open with a product in demand by every business - telecommunications.
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  • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
    Hmmm.... I would really like to pick your brain MYOB.

    You just described the wet dream I had the other night.
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  • Profile picture of the author sandalwood
    Just a note - Cold calling is not illegal in the United States. Even contacting people on the "Do Not Call" list isn't illegal if it was done by an honest mistake. The law states if you contact someone on the DNC and they tell you they are on the DNC, you have to make a note and not call them back. BTW, you only stay on the DNC list for five years and have to renew your DNC llisting.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bruce NewMedia
    I suspect many of the followers/readers of this WF subforum are new to offline marketing.

    If so, telling them they should rely on 'referrals' and past customers, and such is just not going to get their business off the ground. I speak from experience in saying this. Done right, there is no faster way to put numbers on the board, so to speak, than cold calling.(both phone and in-person).

    Businesses get called all the time. ....AND many of them call out to get customers/clients as well. If governments ever make B2B cold calling illegal, you can kiss millions of jobs goodbye.
    _____
    Bruce
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    • Profile picture of the author rtrube
      Originally Posted by brucerby View Post

      I suspect many of the followers/readers of this WF subforum are new to offline marketing.

      If so, telling them they should rely on 'referrals' and past customers, and such is just not going to get their business off the ground. I speak from experience in saying this. Done right, there is no faster way to put numbers on the board, so to speak, than cold calling.(both phone and in-person).

      Businesses get called all the time. ....AND many of them call out to get customers/clients as well. If governments ever make B2B cold calling illegal, you can kiss millions of jobs goodbye.
      _____
      Bruce
      Bruce - well said.

      Look, sales is hard. If it were easy, it would not be the highest paid profession.

      I hate to break it to you, but cold calling works. I have cold called on everything from General Motors and Dell to small, solo businesses, and flat out, it works better than any other method of lead generation, or whetever you want to call it.

      Every single one of my clients that has sales people utilizes cold calling. Even the ones that don't have "sales people", the owner is cold calling.

      Be careful, because if you are looking for reasons to not sell, you will find a million of them, and your business will NEVER go anywhere.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    @ Bruce

    Honestly this title is a complete lie, if someone were to read the title of this thread only, without opening they would be mislead. However, it damages the credibility of the OP more than anything.
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  • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
    The OP's Title and then the OP's signature make me question the motives for the thread.

    When some one tells me something.... I have to ask myself...

    "Why is this person telling me this?"
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  • Profile picture of the author LiquidSeo
    Originally Posted by patadeperro View Post

    Hi Fellow Warriors, here in Canada (and maybe in other countries as well) now it is illegal to cold call to businesses and individuals register in the "Do Not Call List", even Bell was fined today

    (CRTC announces that Bell Canada has paid a $1.3 million penalty for violating the National Do Not Call List Rules)

    Fellow Warriors that use cold calling as their main technique to get clients What are you planning to do?

    Do you think this will affect you?
    Cold calling is our #3 method. Referrals, our website and local networking groups bring in the vast majority of our clients.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanvroman
    The best advice I have EVER received when it comes to business:

    "I don't cold call" is what everyone says, everyone says they don't do sales, everyone says they don't like to call people, and everyone is flat broke. Get out of your comfort zone, every single day. That is the key to success. Get out of your comfort zone today, make a couple cold calls, you'll see it's not that bad - it'll get easier, and you'll make a lot more money.

    Anyways, great thread.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mr. ATX
    Cold calling B2B is ABSOLUTELY not "Illegal"... just about EVERY single business in the world cold calls. Trust me, companies that are worth billions of dollars are not leaving the prosperity of their entire company up to mailing out fliers or networking at some luncheon and then waiting on their phone to ring.

    Writing a post like this is just another way to argue FOR your limitations...I wouldn't do this. It's a very unproductive habit! Let's all quit being a bunch a scaredy cats and pick up the d@mn phone and build relationships with our future customers... ;-)

    My 2 cents (for what it's worth)
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  • Profile picture of the author RachelCorrine
    How many clients do you need? If you create a list of about 100-200 people, calling them personally or sending them literature and then calling, you may not be in violation. Its mass telemarketing they are trying to curb.
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