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Walk in or Cold Calling which do you suggest?

by mogulmap
17 replies
Hey All,

I am getting ready to do some prospecting and wanted to get some feedback from you offline pros. Which do you think is better, cold calling or walk in?

Just not sure if I should start pounding pavement or dialing.

Thanks in advance for your help
#calling #cold #suggest #walk
  • Profile picture of the author payoman
    Admittedly, I haven't done walk-ins yet. But I only started about a month and a half ago with cold calling and to this day have 4 paying clients from it and I am certain I could have more if I was more persistent with the fence sitters.

    You can cover MUCH more volume with calls, plus you can't 'walk in' on tradesman that want a website for their mobile business.
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  • Profile picture of the author JamesCx
    Based on the fact that I hang-up on 99.99% of cold callers, walk-in. But then, the rest of the population isn't like me, I assume! :rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author Anton Nadilo
    Do both...and test and measure your results.

    Cheers

    Anton
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Calling is more efficient: if you know what you're doing, you can reach many more people in less time.

    Walk-ins do have a power all of their own...but again, you have to know what you're doing. You can waste a lot of time driving around if you don't have a plan.

    Use the search function of this site: you'll be able to find many good threads about both topics.
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  • Profile picture of the author BenQ
    Do both. Calling can reach the masses, but when you're out and about don't be afraid to talk to the vendors you're visiting. I've gotten more sales by starting simple conversations than I can remember.
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  • Profile picture of the author beeswarn
    Both are types of cold calls, as they aren't expecting you and have no warm feelings toward you.

    I use both both methods. Telephone prospecting is uniformly more efficient and productive for me, but walking in works well in certain situations.
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    • Profile picture of the author David Miller
      Having recently purchased pants, I decided to take my show on the road. It was an interesting change of pace from spending my day on the phone, but I don't think I am going to surprise anyone if I say I prefer the phone to knocking on doors.

      The clear advantage is the number of contacts you are able to make on the phone compared to how many you can make pounding the pavement.

      One of the great myths of sales is that it's harder for someone to reject you in person than it is on the phone. You'll find that people are equally skilled at face to face rejection as they are on the phone.

      At $5 a gallon, the phone should be your greatest business asset.
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  • Profile picture of the author webgeniuz
    You;'ll get a much better result Walking In.

    I've found this when I was soliciting my first company.

    I've had a success rate of somewhat of 33%. To improve your odds of Walk-ins, make sure you have some visuals to show them and perfect your Elevator Speech (1 minute). Get their attention really quickly and turn that sale or you'll lose it.
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    • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
      Originally Posted by webgeniuz View Post

      You;'ll get a much better result Walking In.
      I just love blanket statements like this.:confused:

      No situation is the same, no body has the same skill set.

      So the truth is IF you don't try both, and i mean really try both,
      then you wont know which is better for you or YOUR situation.

      Some people are great on the phone, some people are great in person.

      the question is really, which one are you?

      Personally if i were you, i would start on the phone.
      Its easier to adjust your script, its easier to contact more people,
      it will save you time perfecting your approach.

      Then when you feel confident in your approach, try out some door to door... see how that works for you.
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      • Profile picture of the author TheShark
        Depends on who your target market it, the time of day and what your pitch is.

        I'd seriously consider a combination of both if that is the way you want to go. You might consider a call followed by a walk in. Or mail, walk in or some combination.

        Play around until you find what works best for you.

        TheShark
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  • Profile picture of the author rbecklund
    I would say cold calling. I haven't done any drop ins myself and David is right people can blow you off in person just as easy. I'd rather get blown off in a 30 sec. phone call than get dressed, drive somewhere and then get blown off.
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  • Profile picture of the author eguinan
    Having worked in sales for years. I say both. Stopping in to introduce yourself gets past the "gate keeper" faster, but a day of cold calls is faster. I grew up in my father's small business. The only way for new sales people to actually reach him was to stop in. A meet and greet at the local Chamber of Commerce is a great way to network.
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  • Profile picture of the author unlimitedmarketing
    I've been doing walk-ins, and it takes forever, and a lot of the time the business owner isn't even there. Then I leave a flyer and call back later to follow up. Takes a lot of time and it's starting to get hot outside, and gas prices are going up. So I'm thinking more about leaning towards cold calling. I've got this crazy thing in my head that it's difficult, but I gotta do it!
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  • Profile picture of the author JRS1
    Some good information here...

    I'm living in Japan so I was thinking that to market my mobile business I'd need a partner in the states, to market there. Reading through this thread has given me some hope that I might be able to get this started on my own.

    Just need to figure out when the different businesses have some down time, then see if I can talk to the small business owners.

    Anyone think that I might be able to sell mobile websites, Google Places optimization, and text marketing from a distance without being face to face with businesses?

    Thanks for any help!
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  • Profile picture of the author kian boon
    Walk in has better conversion rates, as customers are able to see the "Physical" thing of your service.
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  • Profile picture of the author ePolymath
    Although I don't personally do it anymore. For me, it was cold calling all the way. You can go through a whole lot of people stopping only for those that are interested. Also you'll cover a lot more "ground".

    Choose whichever one you will be more likely to stick to. Since both methods are proven to work. All that is required to succeed, is consistent action.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ashera
    Standard routine for me is cold calling but I always carry business cards and if I'm out to lunch somewhere I'll take a look at their site on my mobile and if its junk, if the owner is working I'll chat him up and give him a casual pitch.
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