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Afraid of Making a Sale?

by econnors
11 replies
So, I'm ready to "just do it" and try to get some clients for my business, but I'm afraid to pick up the phone. What's weird is that I've been cold calling residential folks for quite a while for insurance lead gen. So, I'm not sure my fear is of the phone or even the

Could I be that I'm afraid of actually making a sale? Is it like that Marianne Williamson quote? Am I "powerful beyond measure?" I know the best way to grow is to start but starting is the issue. I'm not sure how to get beyond it.

I think I may also be afraid of the work that could potentially come from it. I know that probably sounds silly, but I'm already working two gigs. One that's more of a full time thing and one that is only 3 hours a day in the evening (cold calling).

I started to make a goal for myself to cold call for one hour to start, but it's so hard for me to just pick up the damn phone. How odd is that? Did any of you experience something similar? How do you get past this?
#afraid #cold calling #making #sale
  • Profile picture of the author suavewarrior
    I never never ever cold call and you don't have. What i do is sent them a letter in the mail for dirt cheap but make it look professional without pitching anything but there is a call to action and leave them with a sense of urgency about the way to help their business gain more customers or profit. This can also be done via email,but a physical is gets more open and response rate. Follow at least twice after know response the first time. And please do not under priced for what you are worth.
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    • Profile picture of the author econnors
      Originally Posted by suavewarrior View Post

      I never never ever cold call and you don't have. What i do is sent them a letter in the mail for dirt cheap but make it look professional without pitching anything but there is a call to action and leave them with a sense of urgency about the way to help their business gain more customers or profit. This can also be done via email,but a physical is gets more open and response rate. Follow at least twice after know response the first time. And please do not under priced for what you are worth.
      What kind of response do you typically see from this method?
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  • Profile picture of the author coolblooms01
    Banned
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    • Profile picture of the author zimbizee
      Originally Posted by coolblooms01 View Post

      hiiii frends howz u?
      What is the point of this comment?????????? trying to build up your post count.
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  • Profile picture of the author RentItNow
    The usual advice is yes you are going to sound like an idiot the first few calls but relax afterwards.

    I do door to door because for some reason the phone thing just scares the heck out of me and my ratios are 20 doors, 3 leads, 1 to 2 sales. Pretty consistent because everyone needs what I'm selling, it's just a question if the owner is in front of me or not. If so, I would say 1/2 are super responsive and happy to see you.

    I would like to see the response rates of sauvewarrior because I have literally never got a lead that way (not saying it would not work tho with numbers).

    I personally hand an introductory letter/flyer to whomever is in the store and then if I think I have the owner in front of my I usually ask some random question that starts a conversation with them. I'm getting a pretty good sense for who the owners are and which businesses to avoid (so many nail places in my city!)
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    I have no agenda but to help those in the same situation. This I feel will pay the bills.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    3 hours at a time of calling is plenty. I wouldn't worry about the amount of time you have available--I'd concentrate on making consistent use of it for prospecting.

    Anything new is uncomfortable. Just be willing to begin badly (I'm highly experienced, but every new market I call into is still new to me, and I'm willing to begin badly--a period that lasts 2-3 days before I hear what I need to hear and work it into my script), put in your startup time, and start improving. Don't expect to be an expert in this market overnight.
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    • Profile picture of the author David Miller
      It sounds like you need to know that the phone works. It works! You already know it does, but what often happens in these threads, someone jumps in and says you can do something else.

      You say you already have used the phone, so I'm not sure what the problem is. With this possible exception. If you've been using the phone for lead gen as you say, was this your own business? I have a suspicion that it wasn't.

      It's common for people to get on the phone for someone else's product, but freeze on what is their own. I've been there too. Just have some faith in your product or service and get on the phone. No one ever got hurt making a phone call.
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      The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything.
      -- FRANK SINATRA, quoted in The Way You Wear Your Hat
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  • Profile picture of the author beeswarn
    You're having a mild anxiety attack. It happens to me all the time. You're right that the way to start is just to start, so do that. Just make two calls, then go from there. Telephone prospecting works and it will work for you. You already know how to do it, so go ahead and start.
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  • Profile picture of the author mjbmedia
    Once you've delivered what youre selling a few times, the confidence is then in your voice and delivery when youre talking to prospects on the phone .

    So question, have you delivered what you're selling or does the thought of having to deliver 'scare' you ?
    If you havent delivered it yet, then do so, for yourself, or for businesses for maybe free for experience and testimonials and so you can speak more confidently on the phone , its an initial investment for a long term future if thats what will help move you forwards.

    Also this thread may help ?
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    Mike

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  • Profile picture of the author JessicaAutumn
    Being afraid is just a part of it all but don't forget the reason why you are in this business. What is your purpose.
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    • Profile picture of the author econnors
      Originally Posted by David Miller View Post

      It sounds like you need to know that the phone works. It works! You already know it does, but what often happens in these threads, someone jumps in and says you can do something else.

      You say you already have used the phone, so I'm not sure what the problem is. With this possible exception. If you've been using the phone for lead gen as you say, was this your own business? I have a suspicion that it wasn't.

      It's common for people to get on the phone for someone else's product, but freeze on what is their own. I've been there too. Just have some faith in your product or service and get on the phone. No one ever got hurt making a phone call.
      Originally Posted by mjbmedia View Post

      Once you've delivered what youre selling a few times, the confidence is then in your voice and delivery when youre talking to prospects on the phone .

      So question, have you delivered what you're selling or does the thought of having to deliver 'scare' you ?
      If you havent delivered it yet, then do so, for yourself, or for businesses for maybe free for experience and testimonials and so you can speak more confidently on the phone , its an initial investment for a long term future if thats what will help move you forwards.

      Also this thread may help ?
      Both of you are right. I'm not new to picking up the phone, and I do know the phone works - from the work I do now and based on the things I've seen on the forum. My fear is that I won't have enough time to create something great. I'm afraid that people won't like the work that I've done. I'm afraid of possible criticism. I have built websites before (personal ones), but there was no one there to judge me. Having a paying client who could potentially "let you have it" is a bit scary.

      I have thought about doing a free website or SEO work, but I'd like it to be for a good cause. Maybe I will try that route. At least then I'm not messing with someone's money...:confused:
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      • Profile picture of the author mojo1
        I can totally relate to what you're experiencing. This very same thing has stopped me for far too many months.

        One thing that has helped me to overcome this supreme fear of not being able to deliver has been to reach out and communicate with other warriors who have the skills I don't to create the technical piece that I'm not that comfortable with as yet.

        Finally, another suggestion or two you might want to consider is to sell Offline services for other reputable warriors or become a reseller for a company offering the technical services you're not comfortable with at this time.

        Your situation will get better and you'll definitely be more at ease provided you make a conscious choice about what part of the equation you want to be responsible for.
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