Cold Calling

[e-web solutions]

We are considering phoning up local companies asking if they want a website designing or improving there current web pressence.

does anybody have any examples or ideas for a script to go by.

we have one at the moment but it's not too great

[ebonybailey]

http://www.ebonybailey.co.uk/training.php

Try this. The idea is to keep it brief but making sure all the important details in within it.

[e-web solutions]

Thats great that,

thanks a lot

[Greg]

You should verify that the company your calling has not registered with the corporate Telephone Preference service (TPS). It's illegal to cold call a company that is. Unsolicited cold calling to businesses could land you a fine of £5k.

To find out more go to http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/ctps/what/
There are a number of services that check TPS registration for you - this is one example http://www.selectabase.co.uk/tpscheck/ . I've never used them - it's not a recommendation.

[fastfences]

Hi James,

a few companies doing just that at present. Guess it annoys the heck out of some of us when you're working. From a customer's perspective, it all hinges upon the opening phrase. There must be a good hook. Can't help you with what that might be, but if the right one was used I may have been sold!
Cheers, Nigel

[Pete Williams]

I am getting sick of cold calling at present I am getting at least 2 per day on average. I would be much more likely to respond with some written advertising with a reply form.

That is just me though!

[ebonybailey]

They are telesales calls im guessing, not telemarketing calls.

[Pete Williams]

Yes, I hadn't differentiated.

[fastfences]

Yes, I hadn't differentiated.

How do you, if the call is unsolicited/uninvited? No-one would really object to a phone call which may reward us with an opportunity, but when the caller will not take 'no' for an answer and follows up with a tirade of 'overcoming objections' spiel, is it now wonder that many people are p****** off.
Cheers, Nigel

[ebonybailey]

Nigel makes a good point, but here are the differences: Telesales

Does what it says, it tends to be stationary, recruitment, broadband that sort of thing, the credit card over the phone type of calls.

Telemarketing- is promoting a product which will tend to be high value ( £10k+ ) if there is an interest an appointent will be made to discuss the product sevice. I think the smallest valur product of any of my clients is Konica at £40k.
Those who wont take no for an answer are ostly if not all telesales people, as they are badly paid and many need the commission, telemarketers earn a decent to good wage and rarely targeted in the same way.

[Pete Williams]

Agreed, I got called by Energy Telecom the other day, the sales person started the call by saying they were from BT and could change my BT rate to SME rather than large business.

Firstly my business is only me (not large!) secondly I don't use BT! When I pushed he got all stroppy and aggressive and then tried to make out he had clearly said Energy Telecom!

I will not be using this company!

[ebonybailey]

if you look on my site under the training section you will find a script that is a basic one, but you will see we use no "tactic". My 2p to my staff is I dont want to talk to anyone who does not want to talk to me

[Jayne]

Agreed, I got called by Energy Telecom the other day, the sales person started the call by saying they were from BT and could change my BT rate to SME rather than large business.

Firstly my business is only me (not large!) secondly I don't use BT! When I pushed he got all stroppy and aggressive and then tried to make out he had clearly said Energy Telecom!

I will not be using this company!

Hi,

Tips to get rid.

An easy way to get rid of them, is to say you are really busy and are interested to listen to them. Then ask them to ring up after your home time, it really anoys them :lol:

At home I have registered with the TPS through BT. So just tell them this when they ring, they soon hand up.

If you get any rude sales men, keep a pea whistle next to your phone and if they don't go away, just blow it :lol: like that one.

My Favourite...say...excuse me, do not call this number again, it is against the law to carry on with conversation if I have said no, if you call again I will report you to BT and they will fine you. Never call this number again and remove my number from your data base. :D

Jayne :D

[Jayne]

James,

Have you thought of spending a couple of days, going around shops and businesses and trying it face to face. Have some cards printed with your web address on, so they can see examples of your work, that's if they have the internet. If not, tell them how great the internet is and that they should check out their local library. This is how I ended up with the internet myself, one of our reps' told me to get it and there is plenty more people out there like me.

Use your local yellow pages book, check and see if the businesses you are going to, have a web site. If they do, say you can improve it and if they don't, get in there. Also, don't be over pushy, dress smart and most of all, be yourself.

Good luck

Jayne :D

[e-web solutions]

I have over 200 business cards printed and very high quality ones aswell. from a company called two creative in harrogate.

I havent really tried that form of marketing too much yet but i will be as soon as we have some brochures printed after we move premises.

I have some great pr ideas given to me from richard glynn from www.rgpr.net.

he was excellent and i have gone against the cold calling idea as i myself hate it when people phone me wanting to offer me phone lines, broadband etc.

thansk everyone

[daveashton]

Can I ask more simple questions

1: Is telemarketing a skill you have?
2: Is doing this the best use of your time?

If either or both is no call a good telemarketing company and run a small trial

[William Wilson]

Save yourself a lot of work by first identifying businesses that have a site and it needs a revamp or repair job.

With this info you’re not cold calling but acting as a concerned viewer and offer your services (a bit like a roofer saying do you know you have lost some roofing tiles I can fix ity for you approach).

Once you have a few successes referrals will/should kick in. My 2p worth

[Rob]

Cold calling to sell a web site is hard work. Those who don't have web sites haven't invested because either they think it's only for big businesses or you have to have some techie background. Without any compelling reason trying to persuade them on the phone would tough going.

If you are really serious about building up a client base why not consider hiring a room in a hotel / pub and offer a free seminar 'Everything you need to know about web sites and the internet'.

You can get the local paper to run a feature on their business page inviting business owners to attend; link up with local business groups; connect with your local Business Link etc.

Once you have a group of people in front of you there will be the time to develop your message and get across why they should have a site. The number may be smaller than you would get if you decided to just cold call but your audience are targetted - they have proved they want to know more just by being there.

This may sound a 'low tech' way of marketing a high tech solution but sometimes that's what small business owners want!

[Asteeleleith]

I am sure cold calling it does work, but unless done really skillfully it is the easiest way to P*** a prospective customer off.
i would say you have about 30 sec to get ur point across before the customer swtiches off and justs asks you to send info in the post.

i used to do it myself selling NVQ courses lol
i must admit i got most of my sign-ups that way
That and dropping leaflets personally into shops i think makes a greater impression.
Now here is physcology, drop into a shop unannounced, they will think u a customer. and treat u as such. They are then going to listen to you as to do otherwise would give the wrong impression to other customers.

Of course you are targeting companies with offers of a revamped website. Not so easy to drop into an office then

just a few thoughts though

Al

[marketsafe]

Hey james.

I love web design do a bit of it myself.

Noticed your atempt to cold call companies, i do telesales at marketsafeuk.com and we get a lot of arrogant receptionists.

lol you just got to hold your head up!

I know what it is like for them getting all the calls all day but for the really rude ones that say im not interested without the slightest of what you do i must say i enjoy using the do you like my tie question, which ends up in them saying i cant see your tie so i cant comment on it , its at that point you make them realise they just judged your product/service without even seeing it. some listen id say about 1 in 5 tat i try that say ok tell me more ! but needs to be used correctly