Make Cold Calls, Not Cold Email

You’ve probably heard the saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Well, that might be true in some cases — but in the world of business and sales, it’s all about what you can do for them.

Sure, having connections helps (and if they’re good connections at that), but if you’re looking to make your own way in this world without relying on other people to get things done for you? You need to start making some cold calls.

Cold calling is a great way to find clients and potential leads; however, there are many misconceptions surrounding the practice. In this article, I’ll dispel those myths while sharing tips on how to become an expert cold caller and start booking more appointments each week.

How To Cold Email Clients – Best Cold Email Templates

Takeaways
1. Cold calls remain a valuable sales technique, offering direct personal connections with potential clients.
2. Developing effective cold call scripts and strategies can lead to higher success rates in converting leads.
3. Combining cold calls with other outreach methods can create a comprehensive and successful sales approach.
4. Building rapport and understanding customer pain points are crucial for a successful cold calling strategy.
5. While cold emails have their place, cold calls can provide immediate feedback and foster stronger relationships.

Table of Contents

Create A Script And Rehearse

It can be difficult to remember all of this information when you’re making a cold call, so it’s best to create a cheat sheet. A script will help you stay on track and get your points across in the most effective way possible.

Your script should include:

The main message (for example, “I’m calling about X.”)
A brief introduction of yourself, where you work, what industry you’re involved with, etc.

A brief explanation of why they should care about whatever it is that you’re selling/offering/etc. (For example: “We’ve noticed that many companies are facing challenges with their supply chain management software.”

Or “Our company recently launched an exciting new program called X.”) Remember to keep this part short you only have 30 seconds!

Building an effective outreach strategy involves understanding the basics. Dive into our guide on Cold Emailing 101: A Beginner’s Guide to grasp the essentials of cold emailing for successful communication.

Practice, Practice, Practice

If you want to make a great impression, practice is key. You can’t expect to go from zero to 60 in a day, so take the time to get comfortable with what you’re presenting and how you’re presenting it. Here are some ways to practice:

Practice with a friend or family member. Ask for their input and feedback on your pitch, or have them pretend to be an investor and give them the same pitch you would use if you were pitching in front of an audience.

You may even want to try recording yourself so that you can hear how well (or poorly) your pitch flows while making notes of any points that need improvement (e.g., “I don’t know how else I could say this better”).

Practice with a recording device. Whether it’s an app like Voice Notes or Audio Memos on iOS devices (if available), or Google Voice Recorder on Android devices.

Or something similar for other operating systems like Windows Phone 8 whatever works best for whatever device(s) are most important for communication between investors and entrepreneurs!

Keep Your List Small

Most people will tell you to keep your list small. Don’t try to contact everyone in the world, they say. Your email or cold call is going to get lost in the shuffle if you do that. You won’t get a reply, they say.

But here’s the thing: it’s not about quantity; it’s about quality and that means saying no to most of them (and yes to fewer).

You want your list to be as targeted as possible so that when someone does respond, it means something special and meaningful for both of you (like an actual human connection). And remember it doesn’t mean anything if they don’t buy from you!

Crafting compelling email templates is essential for successful outreach. Explore our collection of Cold Email Templates that Convert to enhance your cold emailing strategy and boost your response rates.

Make Calls First Thing In The Morning

You’ll be more productive.
You’ll be more focused.

You’ll be more likely to get through. Cold calling is a numbers game, and if you’re making calls first thing in the morning.

You’ll have fewer people in your way both literally and figuratively to get in touch with potential leads than you would later in the day when their offices are busier with other meetings, appointments and so on.

You’ll be less likely to be interrupted. The phone is one of those things that can easily take over a few minutes at a time when it rings; if someone else in your office picks up before you do.

They may spend that time chatting away with whoever is calling instead of getting back to their tasks as quickly as possible (or even not hanging up immediately).

You won’t get distracted by social media or other apps on your computer/phone/tablet/etc., which will help keep cold-calling productivity high!

Get In A Productive Frame Of Mind Before Each Call

Before you start dialing, take a few deep breaths.
Think about the call you are about to make. Imagine how it will go and what you want to get out of it.

Think about the person you are about to call and what they might be thinking when they see your name on their caller ID screen. Consider whether they might be expecting a call from someone else (like their doctor or lawyer).

Remember that your goal is not just to leave voicemail messages.

But rather to set up an in-person meeting with people who can help grow your business and/or connect with valuable partners or clients for yourself or someone else in your company (if making cold calls for others).

If after several attempts there’s still no response, consider sending an email instead but only if there’s still time left in the day before leaving work!

Warm Up Your Voice By Yelling Or Singing Beforehand

Here are some ways to warm up your voice:

Sing loudly in the shower. The same thing happens with your voice as with a guitar or piano it gets out of tune if you don’t use it regularly.

Even if you’re not feeling particularly musical, singing will help activate different parts of your throat and can be very helpful in prepping yourself for cold calls.

Drive around town and yell at people while they look at their phones behind the wheel (this is illegal).

It may seem like a strange suggestion, but screaming at the top of your lungs while driving has been used as an effective method for warming up voices before performances since before recorded history and it works!

All those passing cars provide a captive audience who won’t be able to ignore you; this will help ensure that every syllable comes through loud and clear.

Sign in front of the mirror every morning before work/school/etc., even if everyone else thinks it’s weird when they walk by because they’ll just see a grown man staring into space instead of looking like he’s doing something productive (or useful).

Maximizing the potential of cold email outreach requires a comprehensive approach. Learn more about it in The Ultimate Guide to Cold E-mail Outreach and unlock strategies to build meaningful connections with your audience.

Dress As If You Were Meeting The Client In Person

While it’s a lot easier to send an email than it is to be on the phone, don’t forget that your client may not just be looking at their computer screen when they read your email.

They may have a pile of emails sitting next to them and decide which ones are most important based on the way they look.

Your professional image is one of the most important things about how you sell yourself and your business, so take this seriously! Dress professionally, impressively, and show that you are serious about your business and trustworthy.

Go To A Quiet Room To Make Your Calls

Find a quiet room. If you’re not already in one, go to the bathroom, get into the shower, sit in your car (with the radio off) or do whatever it takes to find a place where you can make calls without interruption.

The last thing you want to do is sound distracted while reaching out to potential clients.

Make sure your phone volume is turned up. If your phone isn’t loud enough, callers won’t hear you and they may hang up before hearing what you have to say!

Stay focused on what matters most: making sales! Don’t let yourself get distracted by other things happening around you (or worse yet on their end).

Make Sure Your Demeanor Is Warm And Friendly, Even If You’re Nervous

If you’re nervous about calling someone and thinking about the potential rejections, here are a few things to remember:

Be warm and friendly. Don’t just focus on being confident; be friendly! Be sure to use a friendly tone of voice and smile when you speak.

Start with a simple greeting like “hello” or “good morning/afternoon/evening.” Then move into a basic introduction, such as “I am calling from [your company], we specialize in [something related to your product], do you have any interest in learning more?”

You can also ask if they received your email, but don’t get too caught up that they may not remember every cold email they receive!

Don’t Waste Time On A Voicemail — Get Right To The Point

Don’t waste time on voicemail. Get right to the point. This is especially true if you’re cold calling since most people don’t have time for lengthy messages on their voicemail. Keep your message short, sweet, and to the point (KISSTP).

Don’t forget to leave your name and number! If it’s an automated system that doesn’t allow you to leave a message, try leaving a callback request instead of hanging up.

Finally, remember that there are two types of cold callers: those who want something from the person they’ve called (a job interview or sales pitch) and those who want something from their company (a donation or membership).

Regardless of whether you fall into one category or both, make sure you include any relevant web links or social media profiles for clients.

So they can easily find out more information about what it is that interests them about what interests them about what interests them

Acquiring clients through cold email involves strategic planning. Discover 16 proven Strategies to Get Your First Client Using Cold Email that will help you establish a strong client base and foster lasting relationships.

Keep It Short, Sweet And To The Point (KISSTP)

KISSTP is a great way to remember the four points above.
Keep it short. Make your point in as few words as possible.
Keep it simple and clear: avoid jargon, slang, slang acronyms and abbreviations (unless you’re certain that your reader knows exactly what you mean), etc.

Keep it sweet: don’t be negative about anything or anyone (even if they are). You want people to feel good about themselves and what they do when they read your email/letter/whatever so that they have a positive impression of you!

Keep it to the point: make sure that everything has a purpose; if there’s no need for something they don’t put it in there – take out “filler” phrases like “I think”, “in my opinion”, etc., unless they contribute directly towards making your point clearer or more persuasive.”

Write Down What They Say — Verbatim — As Soon As Possible After The Call So You’ll Remember What You Need To Do Next

Write down what they say — verbatim — as soon as possible after the call so you’ll remember what you need to do next.

Don’t rely on your memory because it’s not good at remembering all the details of a conversation, especially when there are several conversations throughout the day.

Here’s a template that works for me: Client Name (Company Name), Date and Time of Call, Topic of Conversation, and Action Items Needed Next:

Make sure your client list is up-to-date and include those who are not currently clients but have expressed interest or have asked for more information about what you offer.

Include Any Web Links Or Social Media Profiles For Clients When You’re Scheduling Meetings

Add your website URL and/or social media handles to your email signature (for example, “Sarah Smith, CEO at [Company Name]”) so that people can get in touch with you at any time.

If someone wants your contact info but doesn’t have it readily available, they’ll go searching through their email inboxes and if they can’t find it there, they might not bother to look elsewhere.

Elevating your cold email tactics can significantly impact your conversion rates. Dive into our insights on 12 Cold Email Tactics That Double My Conversion Rate to refine your approach and achieve better results in your outreach efforts.

Follow Up After Your Meetings With A Phone Call Or Email With A Recap Of What Was Discussed And Agreed Upon At The Meeting, And Schedule The Next Follow-Up Call Or Meeting Date

Once you’ve had a meeting with the prospect, follow up with a phone call or email with a recap of what was discussed and agreed upon at the meeting, and schedule the next follow-up call or meeting date.

If it’s not possible to get hold of them right away, leave them a voicemail saying that you’re following up on something important and to please return your call.

If they don’t respond within 24 hours, send another follow-up message that also reminds them of your previous messages, but do so without being pushy.

You can also try sending another text message if you think that might work better than an email for this particular person (for instance, if they’re younger).

Conclusion

In conclusion, cold emailing is a great way to get your company noticed by potential clients and customers.

However, it should not be used as the first point of contact with your target audience. Cold calling is a better option because it allows you to speak to people directly and make them aware of your offerings right away.

FAQs

What are the key factors to consider when choosing between cold calls and cold emails?

The decision between cold calls and cold emails depends on factors like the target audience’s preferences, the complexity of your message, and your available resources.

Are there specific industries where cold calls are more effective than cold emails?

Yes, industries that involve high-touch sales or personalized communication, such as B2B services, often find cold calls to be more effective in building relationships and conveying complex information.

How can I make my cold emails more engaging to improve their effectiveness?

Crafting compelling subject lines, personalizing the message, and providing clear value propositions are effective ways to make cold emails more engaging and increase their impact.

When should I use a combination of cold calls and cold emails in my sales approach?

A combination of both cold calls and cold emails can be powerful in nurturing leads. Use cold emails to initiate contact and provide information, and follow up with a well-timed cold call to establish a more direct connection.

What strategies can I implement to measure the success of my cold calls and cold emails?

Tracking metrics such as response rates, conversion rates, and engagement levels can provide insights into the success of your cold calls and cold emails, enabling you to refine your approach over time.

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.