Cold Calling

[Ozzy]

The smart one's omit the word 'car' to widen the net!

My best record for wasting their time was 12 minutes, until they realised was my "accident" was when I slipped getting up from the toilet after a few too many shandies and hung up.

 

[MBE2017]

A lot of cold callers seem to know that I'd been in a car accident recently.

When they are correct, don’t be angry at them, be angry at your insurance company selling your details for the finders fee. Once they pay out if you go for a claim, they simply increase your premium to allow for the cost, win/win.

 

[japancool]

When they are correct, don’t be angry at them, be angry at your insurance company selling your details for the finders fee. Once they pay out if you go for a claim, they simply increase your premium to allow for the cost, win/win.

I don't drive.

 

[Marketing Hub]

No, your calling to help their business, make them aware of a grant, selling them something to enhance their deliveries etc., etc.,

Yes.. That's what the sales person is thinking. The person taking the call is thinking SALES CALL!! How do I get off this call as fast as possible.

 

[MBE2017]

Yes.. That's what the sales person is thinking. The person taking the call is thinking SALES CALL!! How do I get off this call as fast as possible.

Many are thinking that, but the 5/10% realise the call is of use. There is no perfect way to generate sales, many hate sms marketing, leaflets, mailshots, etc. They are just different strings, cold calling just happens to be one of the best methods.

 

[SillyBill]

Cold calling reps can tell you more about your competitors , suppliers, market changes than you could ever hope to find out by other means.

That is a stretch. There are many means to get information and I couldn't actually think of a worse one than listening to an unsolicited cold caller. If you need to learn valuable information then you ought to have a seat or ear to the tables where valuable information is exchanged and discussed.

FWIW I think cold calling has its place in certain markets but for the numbers game that underpins its success to work it does translate that for the vast majority who will never entertain it (I am one) it is a vast expansive pool of lost time and productivity at best and at worst, harassment. The simple reason cold calling threads get impassioned responses is because for those who don't like them (i.e. most people) it is considered as an harassment on their time. Squaring the circle of how to bring in business without cold approaches doesn't change peoples' perception to it.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Yes.. That's what the sales person is thinking. The person taking the call is thinking SALES CALL!! How do I get off this call as fast as possible.

TV Shopping Channels succeed because they sell people things that they didn't know they needed. The philosophy is the same and your potentially denying yourself the opportunity to buy at a better price, stock a unique item or be the proud owner of a Unicycle that washes your clothes whilst you pedal round the house getting a suntan.

 

[Newchodge]

TV Shopping Channels succeed because they sell people things that they didn't know they needed. The philosophy is the same and your potentially denying yourself the opportunity to buy at a better price, stock a unique item or be the proud owner of a Unicycle that washes your clothes whilst you pedal round the house getting a suntan.

The difference being that people choose to watch TV Shopping Channels, they are not forced to.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

The difference being that people choose to watch TV Shopping Channels, they are not forced to.

True, but your not forced to listen to a sales rep either. I'm suggesting there are times when you should.
It seems to me that some folk on here are finding it difficult to distinguish between a random SEO improvement call, a cavalry call from the afield offering to rescue your virus laden computer and a salesman who's doing nothing more than presenting his products for sale to people he believes may have a need.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

That is a stretch. There are many means to get information and I couldn't actually think of a worse one than listening to an unsolicited cold caller. If you need to learn valuable information then you ought to have a seat or ear to the tables where valuable information is exchanged and discussed.

FWIW I think cold calling has its place in certain markets but for the numbers game that underpins its success to work it does translate that for the vast majority who will never entertain it (I am one) it is a vast expansive pool of lost time and productivity at best and at worst, harassment. The simple reason cold calling threads get impassioned responses is because for those who don't like them (i.e. most people) it is considered as an harassment on their time. Squaring the circle of how to bring in business without cold approaches doesn't change peoples' perception to it.

I'm not suggesting it's the only way to get information but your unlikely to hear that the Hairdresser round the corner is thinking of moving by attending a BNI breakfast club.

I used to call on Garden Centres selling, amongst other things, fencing. Cold calling on one that was having a major move round at a time when the gaffer was busy on the forklift. He shouted out that he wouldn't be looking to buy until he'd built the racking. 'We can do the racking, not free but cheaper than you could make yourself, bespoke, made to measure.' Dropped a card in the office, got an order a few weeks later. Which part of the call should be considered harassment?

 

[Newchodge]

True, but your not forced to listen to a sales rep either. I'm suggesting there are times when you should.
It seems to me that some folk on here are finding it difficult to distinguish between a random SEO improvement call, a cavalry call from the afield offering to rescue your virus laden computer and a salesman who's doing nothing more than presenting his products for sale to people he believes may have a need.

That is because (here we go again, circular argumenr) I find it more than annoying that someone believes that there interests are more important than mine and that I should stop whatever I am doing so they can further their own interests. I reckon 10 seconds is the most I will waste, given I have already wasted time stopping what I was doing, which mattered to me, in order to answer the phone. If the opening line is hello, how are you today, which it invariably is, the phone goes down straight away.

 

[Annoying Donkey]

That is because (here we go again, circular argumenr) I find it more than annoying that someone believes that there interests are more important than mine and that I should stop whatever I am doing so they can further their own interests. I reckon 10 seconds is the most I will waste, given I have already wasted time stopping what I was doing, which mattered to me, in order to answer the phone. If the opening line is hello, how are you today, which it invariably is, the phone goes down straight away.

Simple answer, stop being a slave to the phone...

PS I do know what you mean and agree. Bloody cold callers should be lined up and shot...!

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

That is because (here we go again, circular argumenr) I find it more than annoying that someone believes that there interests are more important than mine and that I should stop whatever I am doing so they can further their own interests. I reckon 10 seconds is the most I will waste, given I have already wasted time stopping what I was doing, which mattered to me, in order to answer the phone. If the opening line is hello, how are you today, which it invariably is, the phone goes down straight away.

I'm guessing that you have a sticker on your front door saying 'No Junk Mail, Newspapers etc.,'.

How do you respond to somebody who calls and says 'Hello how are you today. CLUNK...
'We are looking for people to take a stand at the village fete with all funds raised going to the local hospice' 'Hello, hello, are you there?

 

[Newchodge]

I'm guessing that you have a sticker on your front door saying 'No Junk Mail, Newspapers etc.,'.

How do you respond to somebody who calls and says 'Hello how are you today. CLUNK...
'We are looking for people to take a stand at the village fete with all funds raised going to the local hospice' 'Hello, hello, are you there?

Anyone who knocks on the door gets the same 10 seconds, they should get less because my office is upstairs and it takes longer to answer the door. Anyone who knocks for a second time when I am on the stairs is in danger. They don't get clunk they get 'Not interested'. It is the same principle. The caller values their interests above mine, so I do the same and value mine above theirs.

And no I don't have a sign on the door. If people want to waste their money printing material that goes straight into recycling without being looked at, that is their problem.

 

[MBE2017]

The thread is going round in circles, and little is new.

Cold calling works, but many dislike it. Fin.

 

[Fagin2021]

The thread is going round in circles, and little is new.

Cold calling works, but many dislike it. Fin.

Then to finish - I'll answer my original question. Yes, I am getting old and crabby.

I've just read todays offering from the HubSpot blog, where their sales director (no less) is describing the best telephone cold calling techniques.

Step two is 'establish empathy' and I quote...
"Here are some sample questions:

• So, [prospect name], I see you went to [university]. How did you like it?
• Wow, you've been at [company] for [X years]. How did you get started there?
• Congrats on your recent promotion. How is the new role? "

My response to any of those would be "what the f***s that got to do with you?"

Maybe things are different in the USA.

 

[HFE Signs]

 

[SillyBill]

Then to finish - I'll answer my original question. Yes, I am getting old and crabby.

I've just read todays offering from the HubSpot blog, where their sales director (no less) is describing the best telephone cold calling techniques.

Step two is 'establish empathy' and I quote...
"Here are some sample questions:

• So, [prospect name], I see you went to [university]. How did you like it?
• Wow, you've been at [company] for [X years]. How did you get started there?
• Congrats on your recent promotion. How is the new role? "

My response to any of those would be "what the f***s that got to do with you?"

Maybe things are different in the USA.

That is a very US type thing, I absolutely love the States, not done much business there but holiday there, IME even checkout operators can catch you off guard as a Brit. What flies there doesn't here. Horses for courses, any professional with half a brain cell would know that sort of patter in Britain would get at best a reaction of bewilderment (almost creepy), quite probably the usual flat out expletive reply.

 

[genixmarketing]

Then to finish - I'll answer my original question. Yes, I am getting old and crabby.

I've just read todays offering from the HubSpot blog, where their sales director (no less) is describing the best telephone cold calling techniques.

Step two is 'establish empathy' and I quote...
"Here are some sample questions:

• So, [prospect name], I see you went to [university]. How did you like it?
• Wow, you've been at [company] for [X years]. How did you get started there?
• Congrats on your recent promotion. How is the new role? "

My response to any of those would be "what the f***s that got to do with you?"

Maybe things are different in the USA.

Your response tickled me haha. It's not that things are different in the USA, it's that there is a lot of ego massaging goes on over a hubspot. I would put the phone down instantly if people asked me questions like that.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I worked with a guy who was so aesthetically challenged that he married his first ever girlfriend on the advice of his mother who said 'you won't find another'. The poor lad had dozens of facial moles and marks, multiple rotten teeth and very little dress sense. He did however sound like a movie star when he spoke, a cross between Sean Connery and Gregory Peck.

Over the telephone he could have used any of those lines as the ladies fell for his dulcet tones!

 

[genixmarketing]

Usually all the cold calls I get their number gets reported on the smart phone system they seem to use on samsung and then blocked, regardless of what they are selling it is irritating.

I believe it has had its day, too many cold callers scamming people and most people don't need the call and can find anything they need on the phone or computer.

I honestly think it's had its day too...it still works but there's just so much more efficient ways of doing things now.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I had a cold call today from a courier company, 'checking that you were happy with the delivery we made to you yesterday', followed by a couple of customer satisfaction questions before dropping in the 'do you send any parcels yourself?' Not a bad effort but I could see the secondary reason for calling coming a mile away.

 

[cjd]

Just keep calling guys, I'm sure it works...

 

[AllUpHere]

I honestly think it's had its day too...it still works but there's just so much more efficient ways of doing things now.

That just about sums it up doesn't it. Yes, you can make sales by cold calling if you are happy to do that sort of thing, but there are so many better (more efficient and effective) ways of achieving the same thing.

 

[MBE2017]

That just about sums it up doesn't it. Yes, you can make sales by cold calling if you are happy to do that sort of thing, but there are so many better (more efficient and effective) ways of achieving the same thing.

Strange if that is the case that cold calling continues. There are many routes to clients, each have their uses, but no single method works every time.

 

[AllUpHere]

Strange if that is the case that cold calling continues. There are many routes to clients, each have their uses, but no single method works every time.

I don't think it's strange at all. What are cold callers supposed to do instead? There are only so many bus drivers and bin men required at any one time.

 

[MBE2017]

I don't think it's strange at all. What are cold callers supposed to do instead? There are only so many bus drivers and bin men required at any one time.

Or PAYG marketing consultants and copywriters.

 

[AllUpHere]

Or PAYG marketing consultants and copywriters.

Oh come on, you can do better than that. My 4 year old would think of a better comeback than that.

 

[MBE2017]

Oh come on, you can do better than that. My 4 year old would think of a better comeback than that.

Well, maybe that’s why I am told I look very young for my age?

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

New landlord at our local free house, which I haven't visited since lockdown started. A regular says he's re-branding, new staff uniforms, bit of signage etc.,

Should I cold call him, it's at least 500 yds away, or create a marketing campaign to lure him into our web?

 

[Annoying Donkey]

New landlord at our local free house, which I haven't visited since lockdown started. A regular says he's re-branding, new staff uniforms, bit of signage etc.,

Should I cold call him, it's at least 500 yds away, or create a marketing campaign to lure him into our web?

If you were doing your marketing properly, they'd be calling you...

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

If you were doing your marketing properly, they'd be calling you...

I'm not naïve enough to think that I'd be the only one doing 'proper marketing', and clever enough to know that they wouldn't be cold calling.

 

[Quentin Pain]

Cold calling had it's day a long time ago, what I find irritating now is all the cheesy emails I get from the banks telling me how they are here for me that is of course until you try to call them and when you do get through the business manager can not see you for 4 weeks.

Which explains why they do it - to get booked up for weeks in advance. It all makes sense now. (who gives a monkey about reputation).

 

[JonathanVillagomez90]

Is it me getting old and crabby or is the quality of the cold call getting worse? Cold calling by telephone is a dog of a task so I’ve always tried to be polite and give a bit of time to anyone making a reasonable stab at it but the numbers that do so are flagging.

Particularly irksome are the callers who start with “and how are you today Sir?” My standard response is “very busy and in a bad mood” just to see how they cope with it.

Perhaps it’s because with so many other communication channels, the cold call has had its day?

Lots of "sales men" get lost and try to engage in conversation because they want to be "polite" instead of showing you how to help you, if they actually can.

Not knowing how to sell makes companies loose a lot of money and time

 

[Mark T Jones]

Yesterday I made a purchase on the back of a cold call - more precisely on a process that started with a cold call.

No "clever' lines. No learned closing techniques No today-only offers.

She asked questions, listened to the answers and geared a proposition around my business

It's a happy purchase, initiated by a cold call

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I enquired about a new printer the other day. Called 3 companies for advice and stock situation. All took my contact details, just one called me back and I will place an order with him in the next couple of days.

What surprised me is that, on being told I didn't need a multi function printer as I intended to buy a stand alone scanner, not one of them tried to sell me one!

 

[SillyBill]

I enquired about a new printer the other day. Called 3 companies for advice and stock situation. All took my contact details, just one called me back and I will place an order with him in the next couple of days.

Tis shocking. 1 in 3 is not an atypical hit rate I don't think when dealing with SMEs. Need the patience of a saint if you wanted to ring around for quotes. You end up buying from the one company who does quote.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Yesterday I made a purchase on the back of a cold call - more precisely on a process that started with a cold call.

No "clever' lines. No learned closing techniques No today-only offers.

She asked questions, listened to the answers and geared a proposition around my business

It's a happy purchase, initiated by a cold call

That's how pro's do it, reach out with an offer that hits the pain point, follow up with more contact, fact find, suggest the best option or refuse if the best option isn't with their company.

Then ask for referrals

 

[Fagin2021]

Here’s a challenge...

I’ve just taken a ‘phone call from a salesman of a well-known appliance retailer from whom we bought an upright freezer last year.

He wanted to sell me an extended warrant. During a brief but friendly conversation I explained that I was perfectly happy with the freezer and their service, but wasn’t going to go for a warranty because I prefer to wait until an appliance expires, then buy new.

He politely thanked me for my time and the call ended.

What should he have said ?

 

[AllUpHere]

Here’s a challenge...

I’ve just taken a ‘phone call from a salesman of a well-known appliance retailer from whom we bought an upright freezer last year.

He wanted to sell me an extended warrant. During a brief but friendly conversation I explained that I was perfectly happy with the freezer and their service, but wasn’t going to go for a warranty because I prefer to wait until an appliance expires, then buy new.

He politely thanked me for my time and the call ended.

What should he have said ?

He should have said "why the hell am I wasting my life trying to sell extended warranties? Please help me find something useful to do."