An important part of generating leads for business and new customers is making cold calls. Cold calls are referred to as unsolicited random sales calls. Cold calls are a lot like telemarketing. The people that you are calling may have the same reaction as they have with telemarketers.
It is your choice to make these calls, as the person on the other end has not asked you to call them. If you do, be prepared for some negative responses along the way. While some people enjoy and even welcome these types of sales calls, others may give you a negative response; hang up on you or both.
You'll be getting many negative responses to your cold calls. An important part of making cold calls is to learn how to tactfully accept negative responses and reactions. You'll have no problems dealing with the positive responses, especially those that take an interest in what you're selling. You'll need to learn how to overcome the negative reactions and not let them get you down. Not every customer that walks into a store always makes purchases and the same will apply to your phone calls to people. Those negative calls can make you think you have to take self esteem classes, but the truth is that you just need to figure out why the call failed and look for ways to self improvement.
The main advantage of making cold calls is helping you approach customers. Many people are shy and unsure of themselves in person but do well on the telephone. Once you get the hang of how to handle yourself on the phone, you'll overcome your uncertainty in person as well. This, in turn, will help you have more success in your business dealings. Not everyone that makes cold calls actually sells merchandise to the customers they contact. They often perform 'permission marketing', which is getting permission from the prospective customer to send them information about a product, the company you work for and what you have to offer.
Cold calls are not a method every company uses. Every company has their own methods of telemarketing. While some companies will go to almost any extent to drum up business and sell products, others are more selective and limited in their marketing methods. Cold calls are a definite way to make your company and your product well known and increase the customer's awareness of you.
Keep in mind that you will not always get a positive response from everyone so don't give up. The best way to increase your success with cold calls is to speak to the customer with respect. Always use a pleasant and cheerful voice and attitude with everyone, even those that don't react as you'd like them to. You'll soon find that you're receiving more positive responses, which will increase your self-confidence and self motivation.
About the author:
Mike Cosentino is a professional development expert, entrepreneur, and a top sales trainer read more of his topics or subscribe to his free newsletter at www.mikecosentino.net |
