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How the hell does cold calling work?

by TimGreen1
16 replies
I know it does work otherwise nobody would be doing it but I don't understand why. Whenever I get a cold call from a salesman no matter what they are trying to sell me or how amazing the offer sounds I instantly tell them I don't want it and say goodbye.

Everyone else I know does the same, so why does it work, I would never buy something from someone over the phone and I find it annoying which is why I will never ever cold call.

Any opinions?
#calling #cold #hell #work
  • Profile picture of the author azurews
    Apparently not everyone else does the same or no one would be making sales off of it. I rarely have had anyone hang up on me or be too rude. Maybe one here or there, but they are far and few between. Most people are nice and will even wish you luck in your endeavors.
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    • Profile picture of the author TimGreen1
      Originally Posted by azurews View Post

      Apparently not everyone else does the same or no one would be making sales off of it. I rarely have had anyone hang up on me or be too rude. Maybe one here or there, but they are far and few between. Most people are nice and will even wish you luck in your endeavors.
      Yeah, I guessed so. I live in the UK so maybe we have a different attitude towards cold callers?
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      • Profile picture of the author jordan33
        Originally Posted by TimGreen1 View Post

        Yeah, I guessed so. I live in the UK so maybe we have a different attitude towards cold callers?
        I completely agree with you - That's why i've never done it probably never will! Maybe its a UK thing
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        • Profile picture of the author mil0x
          Huge difference between B2B calling and B2C (residential) calling..
          B2B is somewhat targeted (fixing a problem a business faces), B2C (residential) is much more 'lets see if anyone bites', it isn't necessarily aimed at a problem. So naturally the last thing may seem upsetting to you. Though even that still works.

          You said 'I would never buy anything over the phone' - that's OK, you probably represent 95 of the 100 people that are called. However, the reason the calls are made is to find that 5 out of 100 that do show interest..
          Cold calling = proved number game.
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          • Profile picture of the author surgematrix
            It is just not my cup of tea. Nothing against cold call. People are making fortunes on it but I am not just comfortable making cold call.
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        • Profile picture of the author JamesCx
          Originally Posted by TimGreen1 View Post

          Yeah, I guessed so. I live in the UK so maybe we have a different attitude towards cold callers?
          Originally Posted by jordan33 View Post

          I completely agree with you - That's why i've never done it probably never will! Maybe its a UK thing
          I'm on the same page as you guys in regards to cold-calling, can't really see it working due to everyone's attitude on it.

          I don't think I've ever listened to a call from someone I don't know for more than 10 seconds, but there again, I don't run a business and it might be a completely different scenario as a business owner. :confused:
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  • Profile picture of the author PeacefulCalamity
    Originally Posted by TimGreen1 View Post

    Yeah, I guessed so. I live in the UK so maybe we have a different attitude towards cold callers?
    Different areas can have completely different approaches on cold callers. I cold called New York for a while and in that time I've dealt with so many rude people and close-minded individuals that I could see why nobody would consider cold calling in my area. I still prefer most states over NY.

    But cold call different states and you can deal with some very nice people who are willing to do business and won't give you flak.
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  • Profile picture of the author azurews
    Maybe that is the difference. I do kind of remember someone stating that it's different in the UK (and Australia I think). Maybe someone will jump on here and share what those differences are.

    Even so, I still think it can be done. You just may need to do more calls to get to the one who has been looking for what you have to offer.
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  • Profile picture of the author SurrealPSD
    I sold mobile phone contracts as a job before, and yes it was a living nightmare!

    Still best seller in the company though - my favourite 'trick' was to take complaint calls and end up selling them contracts
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Solem
    My thoughts exactly Tim!

    I choose to do business with those I know, like and trust...and most cold calls I've received are from people that want to sell me something right away without knowing anything about me or my business.

    If someone called and took the first step to starting a relationship by offering some free info or a free trial of something, that I'd be open to...but the typical "I'm selling this and you need to buy it" attitude from most telemarketers doesn't cut it with me.

    Just like with email spam though, you contact enough people you're bound to find a few who don't have a preconceived opinion about telemarketers or might actually have need for what's being sold. I can't imagine anyone in this day and age would buy some of the crap that's pushed via spam emails...yet they're still sending emails so I assume it must be working for some.

    Cheers,

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Rearden
    Y'all never have had the luxury of a TelePro dialing you.

    Most TMs suck.

    The best area to dial into is the Southern States. Nice and friendly people to deal with.
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    • Profile picture of the author stopgo
      When i get cold calls at home this is where they go wrong.

      1. They get my name wrong
      2. The offer is not relevant to me. eg. No I don't need cat insurance.
      3. They ramble on in a monotone manner
      4. You can tell they are from a call centre and are reading terribly from an even more awful script.
      5. A LOT of times they can NOT be clear of what company they are from, and are trying to trick you into changing your power/phone plans etc.

      When i call B2B i can, with a little research, i can find the owners name, and figure out if they are suitable or in need of my product - so i am calling people who FIT.

      I don't ram a whole heap of info down their throat immediately, and i try to introduce my self as if i am just your average person.

      I try to keep my opening unique, so when they answer they don't immediately put their guard up.

      Don't try to "sell" your product in the first sentence, have a casual conversation. See if this is something they would look into if everything felt right with them. Have information available for them to look over via email. Be open and honest.

      Don't confuse them - they won't like it and put it in the too hard basket.
      Don't ramble about all the wonderful technical things you do. They don't care.


      Another tip.

      Don't sound overly enthusiastic, or monotone. Be casual, and try to copy their mood. Talk in a pace, and mood that fits them. They may be shy people, and find an overly enthusiastic manner frightening. If they are happy and funny, try to give off that vibe also. People like people who are like them
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Yes, most TMs DO suck.

    That's because they get sent out into the world with zero training. As if we'd expect an accountant or engineer or doctor to head on out there and be successful with no training.

    Yes, the UK is a different market than the US when it comes to cold calling--but I've trained many UKers and it's all how you do it. It's not what you sell but how you sell.

    Try this. How you start your call makes all the difference as to whether there IS a rest of the call.

    http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...ml#post5922258
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Beatty
    For my cold prospecting, I use a voice broadcast system to filter those who would never be interested in my service, even if I told them it was completely free. It's a quick way to filter out BS and get a targeted few who want to hear what you have to say!
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    • Profile picture of the author zimbizee
      I agree that here in the UK the attitude towards cold callers in a lot different from the rest of the world, basically most people hate them.

      Makes it difficult to peddle your wares, perhaps the US, Canada, Oz, New Zealand etc have a more tolerable attitude than us Brits
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  • Profile picture of the author farkry
    I've done some cold calling in the UK selling websites, nobody was rude to me or anything like that. On the other hand when I get a cold call, I'll listen to what they say and usually tell them I'm not interested, if they persist after that I might hang up, generally I don't think UK businesses are hostile to callers.
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