Is Cold Calling Really Dead? The Answer May Surprise You
Finding new customers is key to growing your business and there are endless techniques that you can use to find your ideal customer base. In the past cold calling has been seen as one of the most effective ways to acquire new leads to grow a business, but does cold calling still work?
You’ll find that experts are somewhat divided—many admit that cold calling is still effective, albeit uncomfortable and time consuming. Others caution that cold calling is dead and has been taken over by email and social media. Still, it’s impossible to dismiss the fact that cold calling can be incredibly useful when done properly. Keep reading to find out more about how you can combine cold calling with other forms of outreach, like email, to strike the perfect balance and start reeling in more clients.
Cold call correctly to see results
We’ve all been on the receiving end of an unwelcome telemarketing phone call during the middle of dinner. Tactics like this have given cold calling a terrible name, and rightfully so. However, you have the power to use cold calling respectfully and effectively. Try the following methods on your next cold call:
Try out these methods first, and then keep learning more about cold calling to improve your skills. For example, did you know that smiling affects how you speak?
Combine cold calling with other techniques
If the idea of cold calling a prospect makes your skin crawl, you can still combine phone calls with other methods that help “warm” a prospect up. Let your sales team take on a tiered approach, like this one:
Yes, it can really be that simple. You can also use LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social media tools to make initial contact with a prospect, and make that first phone call when the timing is right.
Cold calling may look different than it did 20 years ago, but cold calling is absolutely still effective. So, go ahead, do some initial research, then pick up the phone and start making some personal connections. You may find that the process isn’t all that bad.
Does your company utilize cold calling in their sales funnel, and do you find that it’s effective? Share your experiences with other readers!