Cold calling SUCKS!

[barbigrl]

Is there anyone else out there that has to cold call businesses on a regular basis? It is a really hard thing to do.

So far today I have been hung up on three times, twice left on hold and heard 20 NO's! AHHHHHH :grumble:

Just feeling a bit discouraged today. :thumbsdown

Anyone have any tips to keep the momentum alive?

 

[RiverDave]

Is there anyone else out there that has to cold call businesses on a regular basis? It is a really hard thing to do.

So far today I have been hung up on three times, twice left on hold and heard 20 NO's! AHHHHHH :grumble:

Just feeling a bit discouraged today. :thumbsdown

Anyone have any tips to keep the momentum alive?

Just don't take it personal, and don't give em your name or info until they are responsive. That way you can call back next week.

RD

 

[Riverbound]

Keep plugging away. Cold calling does suck but the 1 yes will make up for the 100 NO's.

Been there done that.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Years ago I was in sales, did pretty well but my sales manager always wanted a detailed call sheet of at least a dozen or so cold calls everyday.. I would pretty much just make up a fake list everyday, I hated sales.. Just got tired of bugging people all day long.

 

[Havaduner]

Been there many times. As RB said, keep calling cuz the one yes makes up for all the no's.
I'm sure you've heard all the cliche's before, no just means not at this time, blah blah blah.
I tell my customers (and non customer contacts) I'll keep calling on you tell I get three orders, get out stay and and dont come back!
So far, I've only had one customer do that to me.

 

[Racey]

Not to be a dick, and i understand it's just your job, but i probably get about 10 cold calls a day, and nothing PISSES ME OFF more than having to stop what i'm doing, machining, welding, returning Emails, Posting on RDP , whatever, to answer a god damn bullshit cold call (aka telemarketing, using the telephone to market shit to me) more especially if it's a god damn indian.

It's probably worse for me being a one man type operation, without a secretary to answer calls and screen accordingly.

 

[Ziggy]

Keep trying M. Close ratio is very low so just accept the "no" from 99 of the 100 you contact. Don't take it personal.:thumbsup



Its a bit hypocritical of most of us...........Most of us hate those kind of calls.

 

[barbigrl]

Thanks guys....I don't really take it personal. But it wears you down sometimes. I force myself to make at least 30 a day. I have had some "yes" some "not at the moment but send me your info" and lots of "Oh we already use soneone" etc.



RD..I do that one too I am learning all the tricks.



I just get burnt out on it.



And Racey I hate getting cold calls too!! :bash: But most business start out that way.

 

[Wheeler]

Anyone have any tips to keep the momentum alive?

Jack Daniels. :drunk

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Only certain types can do it looooong term but the funny thing is those types don't usually have real sales and customer service talent. I have that talent but don't like bugging people. I'm currently working sales again until I can get into my real career endeavor.

Anyways remember now matter how good you are that it is still largely a #'s game.

Get into your mindset at the beginning of each day and before each call that you are going to do it and walk away with a sale. Whole positive thinking dealio.

Make a game of it. If you are getting someone being a jerk, play around with them to make it fun. Also use them for practice for when a real opportunity finds you.

Lastly when you get a chance at a non sales job then take it.

 

[rivergoer]

you just need to smile and dial. i make about a 100 a day...

 

[Ivan Dan]

Keep plugging away. Cold calling does suck but the 1 yes will make up for the 100 NO's.

Been there done that.

Me too....when I first got into real estate I sat on the phone cold calling for 8-10 hours a day. Believe it or not I actually got quite a bit of business from it. Most of the leads I got took months or years to cultivate but ended up being sales.

Like Bill and RD said....keep pluggin away and don't take it personal!

 

[barbigrl]

Only certain types can do it looooong term but the funny thing is those types don't usually have real sales and customer service talent. I have that talent but don't like bugging people. I'm currently working sales again until I can get into my real career endeavor.

Anyways remember now matter how good you are that it is still largely a #'s game.

Get into your mindset at the beginning of each day and before each call that you are going to do it and walk away with a sale. Whole positive thinking dealio.

Make a game of it. If you are getting someone being a jerk, play around with them to make it fun. Also use them for practice for when a real opportunity finds you.

Lastly when you get a chance at a non sales job then take it.

So true I am learing. I have been cold calling for about 3 weeks now. And I am sick of it. Like I said, it is just wearing. I can't give up yet though. I get to do this out of my house.

I am going to have to start making a game of it to keep my sanity. :grumble:

 

[barbigrl]

Me too....when I first got into real estate I sat on the phone cold calling for 8-10 hours a day. Believe it or not I actually got quite a bit of business from it. Most of the leads I got took months or years to cultivate but ended up being sales.

Like Bill and RD said....keep pluggin away and don't take it personal!

8-10 hours?? DAM! I can handle about a solid 3.

 

[Ivan Dan]

8-10 hours?? DAM! I can handle about a solid 3.

I did that for about 4-5 months too while I was waiting for my RE license. :skull I also called through expired listings, for sale by owners, and some warm leads which was a HUGE relief once in a while.

 

[cave]

Only certain types can do it looooong term but the funny thing is those types don't usually have real sales and customer service talent. I have that talent but don't like bugging people. I'm currently working sales again until I can get into my real career endeavor.

Anyways remember now matter how good you are that it is still largely a #'s game.

Get into your mindset at the beginning of each day and before each call that you are going to do it and walk away with a sale. Whole positive thinking dealio.

Make a game of it. If you are getting someone being a jerk, play around with them to make it fun. Also use them for practice for when a real opportunity finds you.

Lastly when you get a chance at a non sales job then take it.

I had a great coach when I started calling FSBO's back in the day. When I got someone who was a Richard Cranium I just played the game. They don't know me and I don't know them. I was never aggressive and I tried to get them comfortable. I know its tough but right now especially, this is the best time. You never know who's ready to change company's for what ever reasons.

 

[Instigator]

Is there anyone else out there that has to cold call businesses on a regular basis? It is a really hard thing to do.

So far today I have been hung up on three times, twice left on hold and heard 20 NO's! AHHHHHH :grumble:

Just feeling a bit discouraged today. :thumbsdown

Anyone have any tips to keep the momentum alive?

Sales 101
Ask only open-ended questions. That being a question that requires an expanded reply. Start the question with What, Why, How, Where, When, Who.
If you start your question with a closer such as Do, Are, Will, Is, you will always get the answer that you Don't Want to hear.
Create a series of "open-ended questions" in a specific order that will get you the answers that you want and the sales will become much easier and happen naturally.
Finally, realize early on in the process if there is no sale to be had and move on. If you press something that is not going to happen you will just look like a pushy fool to the other party and ruin your reputation along the way.
Always remember that the next cold call could be the "Best Call of the Day" Just my .02

 

[LukeDogg]

Jack Daniels. :drunk

Drink while you work Melissa. It makes the No's go down easier.

 

[billet racing]

Sprinkle some calls to your regular customers. Thank them for the business and see if your doing everything right. It helps brighten up your day to have a good positive conversation. Recharge the batteries.

Also helps because while your calling new customers, someone is calling yours. Make sure your cuurent customers know you care for them and you will save some as well.

Jerry

 

[tbone1904]

I did that for about 4-5 months too while I was waiting for my RE license. :skull I also called through expired listings, for sale by owners, and some warm leads which was a HUGE relief once in a while.

Are you a Broker as well?

 

[Ivan Dan]

Are you a Broker as well?

No I'm not a broker just a realtor.

 

[whiteworks]

I get about 5-10 calls a week for some bullshit. The only one that sticks in my mind is the bad joke guys from phoenix. They start the call by saying this is _________, you know the guys with the bad jokes from Phoenix. Do you have time for a joke? Then insert some bad joke, get a chuckle and go on to try to sell me pens or mouse pads or key chain lights or some shit. they are pretty cool and can talk shit with the best of them. I have been getting calls from them for a few years so they must be doing something right because they are still in business.

 

[locogringo]

Barbigrl;

If I can add my input, take it for what it's worth....

Some here will know what neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is. Here are some extremely effective techniques to turn that "Sales job" in which you hate cold calling into a glorious turn of events.

There are roughly 80 highly effective NLP phrases that will help change the person you are talking to receptiveness. I am going to give ya 3 for now that should do wonders for you this week.

These 3 words will change the way they react towards you. They are Since, Now and As.

"Huh?" you say to yourself (I hear you and others saying it).

These are beginner NLP words that change the core of what you are
wanting your client to do.

Here are some examples:

Since you already know that "x" will bring you this much more of "x", you are already realizing that ultimately we are the best answer.

Now that you are beginning to realize the benefits to what I am offering you, how would you like to take the next step?

As you can see the benefits to what I am offering you...

There is so much mlore involved but I guarantee that when you use these little methods, your sales will begin to expand significantly.

By the end of the week, as this begins to take shape, let me know by PM and I'd be happy to mail you out something more to help in your skill building from a good friend of mine who has spoken for me at my real estate functions I used to put on.

Good luck this week.

 

[SuperDave013]

I'm starting to like the sales end of my biz the best. But I could not imagine cold calling on the phone. But doing it in person is some good fun. Most are pretty cool and a few are real dicks. One guy almost kicked my ass on the spot. I really thought we were going to go at it. About a month later he calls me and orders 500 parts. :champagne:

I get at least 10 cold phone calls every day. The guy they need to talk to is also our tech support guy ..... so we'll have to get your credit card number before you can speak to him.

When I'm feeling freasky I turn into Clark Barkston
Hi, I'm Clark Barkston, the #1 fittness professional! (he's really claims to be #1 finance guy but I turned him into the fittness dude)
And I have THE information that YOU requested for only $10.00! That's a great deal! We just need your billing information and YOU will be all set. lol

 

[Tom Brown]

Anyone have any tips to keep the momentum alive?

Talk sexier.

 

[Tom Brown]

I get about 5-10 calls a week for some bullshit. The only one that sticks in my mind is the bad joke guys from phoenix. They start the call by saying this is _________, you know the guys with the bad jokes from Phoenix. Do you have time for a joke? Then insert some bad joke, get a chuckle and go on to try to sell me pens or mouse pads or key chain lights or some shit. they are pretty cool and can talk shit with the best of them. I have been getting calls from them for a few years so they must be doing something right because they are still in business.

I consider Whiteworks to be an authority in the area of sales. RDP members are lined up in droves to buy his cast away shit.

 

[HBCraig]

Calling on the phone is rough. I make a few cold calls per week but I need to in my biz. But, I have some inside contacts in most cases so they are truly cold I guess.

Hard work Barbi, hard work. It is just a job, remember that.

 

[Instigator]

Calling on the phone is rough. I make a few cold calls per week but I need to in my biz. But, I have some inside contacts in most cases so they are truly cold I guess.

Hard work Barbi, hard work. It is just a job, remember that.

How's the Equipment Business in California for you right now? Any signs of life? It's Brutal here.

 

[barbigrl]

Sales 101
Ask only open-ended questions. That being a question that requires an expanded reply. Start the question with What, Why, How, Where, When, Who.
If you start your question with a closer such as Do, Are, Will, Is, you will always get the answer that you Don't Want to hear.
Create a series of "open-ended questions" in a specific order that will get you the answers that you want and the sales will become much easier and happen naturally.
Finally, realize early on in the process if there is no sale to be had and move on. If you press something that is not going to happen you will just look like a pushy fool to the other party and ruin your reputation along the way.
Always remember that the next cold call could be the "Best Call of the Day" Just my .02

Thank you for the advice....I do say "Do you..... Instead I should say "How do you.....


It has been years since I have done sales, and I have only been back at it for 3 weeks. I just have to keep going.

 

[barbigrl]

Barbigrl;

If I can add my input, take it for what it's worth....

Some here will know what neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is. Here are some extremely effective techniques to turn that "Sales job" in which you hate cold calling into a glorious turn of events.

There are roughly 80 highly effective NLP phrases that will help change the person you are talking to receptiveness. I am going to give ya 3 for now that should do wonders for you this week.

These 3 words will change the way they react towards you. They are Since, Now and As.

"Huh?" you say to yourself (I hear you and others saying it).

These are beginner NLP words that change the core of what you are
wanting your client to do.

Here are some examples:

Since you already know that "x" will bring you this much more of "x", you are already realizing that ultimately we are the best answer.

Now that you are beginning to realize the benefits to what I am offering you, how would you like to take the next step?

As you can see the benefits to what I am offering you...

There is so much mlore involved but I guarantee that when you use these little methods, your sales will begin to expand significantly.

By the end of the week, as this begins to take shape, let me know by PM and I'd be happy to mail you out something more to help in your skill building from a good friend of mine who has spoken for me at my real estate functions I used to put on.

Good luck this week.

Thank you! I will try this!! Let you know how it goes.

 

[barbigrl]

Talk sexier.

I don't know if this will work with the women.

 

[Instigator]

Thank you for the advice....I do say "Do you..... Instead I should say "How do you.....


It has been years since I have done sales, and I have only been back at it for 3 weeks. I just have to keep going.

You got it. Now get off your ass and get back to work. J/k

 

[VoodooMedMan]

I don't know if this will work with the women.

Are you sure about that? Gay is the in-thing these days.

 

[DaveC]

Are you sure about that? Gay is the in-thing these days.

 

[HBCraig]

How's the Equipment Business in California for you right now? Any signs of life? It's Brutal here.

I changed divisions from the dirt side to the crane side. Much better but still not good. Very slow and everybody is bidding. Financing sucks, credit needs to be sky high, etc..

you?

 

[Tom Brown]

I don't know if this will work with the women.

Perhaps not but it's fun to think about. :thumbsup