How to overcome loneliness in sales, cold calling

[Cookie Dough]

New member here, but I have been lurking for a while so I thought I would post.

Background
Masters student working on final project for submission. My project is simply a website, and I am focusing hard to pass to specifications. As it is an academic project, it is not highly trafficked but I have created all of the content, interviews, and surveys myself so it is rich in original content.

I have another website targeted for women about hair and beauty. This website gets an average of 20,900+ page views a month, and since 2007, around 6,000+ comments, so nice user engagement. I don't have paid hosting installed for my hair and beauty website, which is something I want to do, so I can get Google Ads.

Selling advertising
What I have been trying to do is do direct advertising sales for my hair and beauty website. I have a tiny bit of experience with this, as I sold advertising for a previous company I worked for (albeit for less than £50) and I did sell an advertisement worth several hundred pounds for a uni project.

Despite this initial platform of experience, I have really been struggling. I have called dozens of prospects but I am still struggling to 'close' a deal.

I have one potential contact who did take some marketing material I sent and I will be following up.

The problem
My fear is that I get so lonely studying from home doing this work and trying to sell advertising. I can't talk to my friends all the time, because none of them are trying to do what I am doing i.e. cold calling, setting up a website, so I get easily distracted.

Then I beat myself up about not doing enough calls, follow ups or closing any deals.

I would just like to hear any thoughts on how to overcome loneliness when doing cold calls from home and how to balance work goals emotionally.

Any advice is appreciated. I don't want to get burned out but then I feel like I am not working hard enough.

 

[Bruceflea]

Hi,

what is the site so we can have a look? i know you cant post links so if you could email me the site, i'll certainly have a look and tell you what i think.

cheers

 

[KidsBeeHappy]

Setting up a business is hard. As the old saying goes, if it was easy everyone would be doing it. And getting a bit lonely and feeling that you've little in common with other people that don't get what you're up to is again perfectly normal.

What I would suggest that you do is get into a bit of local networking. I always find that events like this are a great boost for keeping you motivated and on track. Also, seeing as you're a student, I'm making the wild assumption that you're under 30 - try the PYBT and talk to them about getting on their mentoring scheme.

As for balancing work and life goals - there is no answer to that one, everyone's balance is different, and everyone's balance changes on a frequent (probably daily) basis depending on what's going on. What I would suggest if possible is to try and reclaim at least one of the weekend days, and keep your PC switched off. You can't really do sales calls at the weekend, so make the most of it.

 

[Bruceflea]

who are you targeting when you are cold calling if you dont mind me asking?

 

[Newbus]

Unfortunatly I am unable to provide you any direct comfort with respect to fear of calling and the isolation of the task.

But I can give you some hope. First thing is plan plan plan. Really understand who you wish to target and what you what to acheive and what you want to say.....never make it up on the spot.

Next thing is just do it..... harsh but its effective. Set a 2 hour slot aside for this and nothing else. Ensure you have drinks, creature comforts and NO EXCUSE for moving from your chair for 2 hours.....Then keep repeating.

As time goes byyou will find it gets easier....Nothing will every be the same as your fist sale. That will give the moral for the future..

There is an interesting artical on this telemarketing blog www.telemarketinggb.blogspot.com about preparing for a telesales / telemarketing campaign.

 

[david9108]

Well I have to say I completely understand where you are coming from. Whe I first started my business I was working alone in an industrial unit and could go the whole day without seeing anyone. I also started very young, I was 22 (I'm 24 now) and I actually think being this young does make things harder.

Running your own business changes you and it can be hard to keep existing friendships and even harder to mamke new ones. You feel like your friends don't really understand the situation you are in and this ends up creating a distance between you and them. However I personally believe for anyone under 30 this is even worse - because it is more likely that friends in our age groups won't even be holding down 'proper' full tem jobs so the gap between you and them is even bigger. I may be wrong or even speakign out fo turn of course.

However I would say that things do get much better. I know have tw opeople workingfor me in my office and so that solves the lonliness problem to a certain extent. However I did start going crazy. I've been in sales since I was 16 and the one thing I can say to you is you have got to motivate yourself. What I used to do if I had a bad call was step away fro mthe desk and turn my music on - I had a particular song, which I referred to as my happy song which was actually Nina Simone's Aint Got No (think mullar rice advert if you don't know it) and, perhaps its best not to admit to this, but I even developed actions to go with it. I was on my own so nobody could see me but I felt so daft by the end of the 3 & half minutes of the song that I always had a smile on my face and felt refreshed to pick the phone up again - rather than focusing on the bad phone call or being on my own or whatever.

I'm sure it wouldn't work for everyone...perhaps even noone else, but it might be worth a go. Alternatively find some fellow business friends - we tend to understand where you're coming from and I'm sure you could private message someone for a chat.

I'd love to know how you get on.

 

[telemax]

New member here, but I have been lurking for a while so I thought I would post.

Background
Masters student working on final project for submission. My project is simply a website, and I am focusing hard to pass to specifications. As it is an academic project, it is not highly trafficked but I have created all of the content, interviews, and surveys myself so it is rich in original content.

I have another website targeted for women about hair and beauty. This website gets an average of 20,900+ page views a month, and since 2007, around 6,000+ comments, so nice user engagement. I don't have paid hosting installed for my hair and beauty website, which is something I want to do, so I can get Google Ads.

Selling advertising
What I have been trying to do is do direct advertising sales for my hair and beauty website. I have a tiny bit of experience with this, as I sold advertising for a previous company I worked for (albeit for less than £50) and I did sell an advertisement worth several hundred pounds for a uni project.

Despite this initial platform of experience, I have really been struggling. I have called dozens of prospects but I am still struggling to 'close' a deal.

I have one potential contact who did take some marketing material I sent and I will be following up.

The problem
My fear is that I get so lonely studying from home doing this work and trying to sell advertising. I can't talk to my friends all the time, because none of them are trying to do what I am doing i.e. cold calling, setting up a website, so I get easily distracted.

Then I beat myself up about not doing enough calls, follow ups or closing any deals.

I would just like to hear any thoughts on how to overcome loneliness when doing cold calls from home and how to balance work goals emotionally.

Any advice is appreciated. I don't want to get burned out but then I feel like I am not working hard enough.

In your type business, being able to switch off is as important as being able to work hard when necessary. By switching off I mean forgetting about your business, cold cold calling, web sites etc and doing something else.

Jonathan

 

[Cookie Dough]

who are you targeting when you are cold calling if you dont mind me asking?

Sure, this is a really good question. For my hair and beauty website targeted to women, I have been calling to big retail beauty companies, small ones who manufacturer consumer products, even e-commerce websites as well.

I have been told to focus on the US market because most of my readership is from the US and because my website is about ethnic hair too, so the market is bigger for them.

I have been doing this, but again, just a struggle because once when I called a potential US client, they told me to call the UK office (lol the accent threw them off I think)

telemax, do you mean like taking a break every now and then? I just feel so bad if I do that as I feel like I am not concentrating?

 

[Cookie Dough]

Setting up a business is hard. As the old saying goes, if it was easy everyone would be doing it. And getting a bit lonely and feeling that you've little in common with other people that don't get what you're up to is again perfectly normal.

What I would suggest that you do is get into a bit of local networking. I always find that events like this are a great boost for keeping you motivated and on track. Also, seeing as you're a student, I'm making the wild assumption that you're under 30 - try the PYBT and talk to them about getting on their mentoring scheme.

As for balancing work and life goals - there is no answer to that one, everyone's balance is different, and everyone's balance changes on a frequent (probably daily) basis depending on what's going on. What I would suggest if possible is to try and reclaim at least one of the weekend days, and keep your PC switched off. You can't really do sales calls at the weekend, so make the most of it.

I think you have made some real valid points, especially about networking and looking for mentors.

I don't want to sound like I am whingeing because I know this is a forum of go-getters and hard workers, but I think the loneliness factor was/is starting to get to me.

 

[Cookie Dough]

Unfortunatly I am unable to provide you any direct comfort with respect to fear of calling and the isolation of the task.

But I can give you some hope. First thing is plan plan plan. Really understand who you wish to target and what you what to acheive and what you want to say.....never make it up on the spot.

Next thing is just do it..... harsh but its effective. Set a 2 hour slot aside for this and nothing else. Ensure you have drinks, creature comforts and NO EXCUSE for moving from your chair for 2 hours.....Then keep repeating.

As time goes byyou will find it gets easier....Nothing will every be the same as your fist sale. That will give the moral for the future..

I have been using this as a way to try and be upbeat. I know I need to just make that first sale, and I will feel so much more confident about everything.

2 hour slot is a great idea, I will give this a go tomorrow.

[Sorry had to delete the link as it won't let me post but I will check it out, cheers]

 

[Cookie Dough]

Well I have to say I completely understand where you are coming from. Whe I first started my business I was working alone in an industrial unit and could go the whole day without seeing anyone. I also started very young, I was 22 (I'm 24 now) and I actually think being this young does make things harder.

Running your own business changes you and it can be hard to keep existing friendships and even harder to mamke new ones. You feel like your friends don't really understand the situation you are in and this ends up creating a distance between you and them. However I personally believe for anyone under 30 this is even worse - because it is more likely that friends in our age groups won't even be holding down 'proper' full tem jobs so the gap between you and them is even bigger. I may be wrong or even speakign out fo turn of course.

However I would say that things do get much better. I know have tw opeople workingfor me in my office and so that solves the lonliness problem to a certain extent. However I did start going crazy. I've been in sales since I was 16 and the one thing I can say to you is you have got to motivate yourself. What I used to do if I had a bad call was step away fro mthe desk and turn my music on - I had a particular song, which I referred to as my happy song which was actually Nina Simone's Aint Got No (think mullar rice advert if you don't know it) and, perhaps its best not to admit to this, but I even developed actions to go with it. I was on my own so nobody could see me but I felt so daft by the end of the 3 & half minutes of the song that I always had a smile on my face and felt refreshed to pick the phone up again - rather than focusing on the bad phone call or being on my own or whatever.

I'm sure it wouldn't work for everyone...perhaps even noone else, but it might be worth a go. Alternatively find some fellow business friends - we tend to understand where you're coming from and I'm sure you could private message someone for a chat.

I'd love to know how you get on.

I'm the same age range as you

I think you make some great points, and all of you have made me realise that it is okay to not be superhuman or a machine with cold calling or sales. It does take time and it is not immediate.

Again, don't want to sound like I am whingeing because I have made some head way. Simply doing the calls at first was so hard but they had to get done, but then I'd get even more scared realising that I wasn't converting.

For my academic website, I did get some press coverage on a graduate careers website which is now owned by the same publishers as The Times & The Sunday Times, so I was delighted to have had that. So there have been some positives and I am grateful to God that they have happened.

I follow you 100% on the friendship thing. Most of my friends don't understand at all, and I suspect some of them are getting really bored by my sales/business talk.

My family are not supportive either and want me to do what they want, so it is hard.

However now I found this forum I will be on here a lot more

I will keep you updated when I close that first sale, God Willing.

 

[Ian Feingold]

I'm no typical salesman but it's my business so it has to be done! Suggest you split your calling into 2 hour slots, don't start the cold calling till 10am, don't call during lunch time and don't call after 4pm (you'll only get disheartened). Go for intense bursts of activity. But don't forget, if you sound fed up, youve got no chance of converting!

 

[Cookie Dough]

I'm no typical salesman but it's my business so it has to be done! Suggest you split your calling into 2 hour slots, don't start the cold calling till 10am, don't call during lunch time and don't call after 4pm (you'll only get disheartened). Go for intense bursts of activity. But don't forget, if you sound fed up, youve got no chance of converting!

Hi Ian, I think blocking it off in time slots is a great idea like you said.

I suppose we all hate the rejection, but it has to get done. No one will be calling you.

 

[maxine]

Firstly agree with Newbus about being prepared... everything from lists, to research, to data organised properly, what you are going to say, responses to some comments and objections, what you want to get out of the call... just everything ready and organised, perhaps in a CRM system.

Then you just really need to get into a positive frame of mind and go for it Might sound easy but things that help me are:

* Record your efforts such as how many call attempts, how many actual conversations, how many not interested, how many request further information, how many quotes/appointments/actual sales.

* You can then analyse the difference between say the call attempts to actual conversations to work on this area rather than always focusing on the end sale.

* When you know roughly what your starting point is for number of call attempts to number of actual sales you can then look at this in a way that says if I do X amount of hours in a certain way I will get X... this is then very motivating as the rejections are all fine as you are getting closer to your goals.

* Having a few virtual friends to chat to on instant message msn/skype can break up the time spent on hold or in between calls

* And then there is twitter for a fab distraction and lead generation all in one

* But just track efforts and progress toward the overall goals but broken down into smaller goals

Oh, and if you are doing it for anything in particular ie; a holiday, then have a photo placed on your wall for you to see when you are making your calls lol

Good luck

 

[macchior]

Get a pretty young intern.

 

[blueskythinker]

Hi Cookie Dough

I admire the fact that you are giving it a go because sales is all about coping with knock backs and managing to keeping a smile on your face when selling from home is tough. When you are by yourself there isn't the banter and moments of light relief that you get with office life.
It may sound a silly suggestion, but having a radio on for company can keep your spirits up.
I'm convinced there's certain music that is good to sell to and once worked with a colleague who attributed his impressive sales achievements to his Abba Gold CD!

 

[Cookie Dough]

Firstly agree with Newbus about being prepared... everything from lists, to research, to data organised properly, what you are going to say, responses to some comments and objections, what you want to get out of the call... just everything ready and organised, perhaps in a CRM system.

Then you just really need to get into a positive frame of mind and go for it Might sound easy but things that help me are:

* Record your efforts such as how many call attempts, how many actual conversations, how many not interested, how many request further information, how many quotes/appointments/actual sales.

* You can then analyse the difference between say the call attempts to actual conversations to work on this area rather than always focusing on the end sale.

* When you know roughly what your starting point is for number of call attempts to number of actual sales you can then look at this in a way that says if I do X amount of hours in a certain way I will get X... this is then very motivating as the rejections are all fine as you are getting closer to your goals.

* Having a few virtual friends to chat to on instant message msn/skype can break up the time spent on hold or in between calls

* And then there is twitter for a fab distraction and lead generation all in one

* But just track efforts and progress toward the overall goals but broken down into smaller goals

Oh, and if you are doing it for anything in particular ie; a holiday, then have a photo placed on your wall for you to see when you are making your calls lol

Good luck

Great points, I don't record my efforts, and I think this is something I should do.

My aim for the calls is so I can live alone and get out of home, but more so than not, I really want to be able to provide for my youngest sister so I need to stay focused on her, when I am feeling down.

The photo is a great idea, never thought of having this near the phone, but I do have some in my room.

 

[Cookie Dough]

Hi Cookie Dough

I admire the fact that you are giving it a go because sales is all about coping with knock backs and managing to keeping a smile on your face when selling from home is tough. When you are by yourself there isn't the banter and moments of light relief that you get with office life.
It may sound a silly suggestion, but having a radio on for company can keep your spirits up.
I'm convinced there's certain music that is good to sell to and once worked with a colleague who attributed his impressive sales achievements to his Abba Gold CD!

Great idea, never thought of this. I will be implementing this today because I know I will need to get cheered up.

Thank you for all your support and comments. Great atmosphere here; I will report back if I can close the deal.

 

[captaincloser]

The last poster is correct-music is a huge plus in the background and I have a radio sitting in front of me at all times. It is a huge help, just watch the volume....Have fun while you work..endless little things a radio helps with whilst dialling..and talking sometimes.


Your frame of mind pre-determines outcomes in phone sales.

However one 'tip' I will pass on is never, never, never work at phone sales or appointment making or anything that means you are on the phone big time if you have silent partners working with you in the office.You must have your own space or be working with others also hitting the phones (this helps of course). I will not elaborate but silent colleagues and worse still your boss are killers in office based sales unless they also pound the phones alongside you. Anyone saying they can switch off from silent partners is in La La land.

I have been doing this almost since Bakerlite phones (the big black chunky phones for anyone under 45) were around, run many teams and worked solo for years and there is no mistake here. Do not work with silent listeners...
Good luck.