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Topic: Cold Calling Phobia
| Author | Message |
| elena64 | Posted – 6/3/2008 1:07:11 PM | show profile I'm looking to generate new business clients for my copywriting services, and I keep reading that cold calling is the way to go. Cold calling seems daunting and I wonder if it would be worth my time. Can any of you share stories about getting work through cold calling, or at least overcoming your fear of this process? Thanks in advance |
| foodlit | Posted – 6/3/2008 3:04:05 PM | show profile Cold calling works. For what you do, I would suggest a combination of email and phone. Cold calling is a numbers game, its all about timing and volume, and targeting. You want to make sure you are calling people that you know use or could use your services. The timing won't be right for the majority of them when you first call them, but that's okay, you're planting seeds for future business. Remember, if they don't know you're available they can't give you work. You can make the call less stressful, by making it more introductory in nature, just saying something like, "I don't know if the timing is perfect for you right now, but I just wanted to introduce my copywriting services to you and send you some information so that when you do a need you can get in touch. Most people, will agree to let you send them information and will be happy that it keeps the call brief. If they seem receptive, you can as 'do you have a moment to chat or have I caught you at a bad time? I'd like to ask you a few quick questions to see if my service si something that could benefit you." Then you can just ask, 'how often do you use an outside service for copywriting? and 'would you be open to considering a new vendor if you like my work? I'd have a one or two sentence summary of your background too, as you want to establish crediblity. Then thank them for their time, and send an email attachment or links to your work...luckily if your work is great, that will do the 'selling' for you. Good luck! Be sure to ask every person you talk with too, 'do you know anyone else that could use my services?' It's amazing how people don't automatically offer referrals, but when asked, almost always come up with some. Email can be hugely effective too. If you already have someone's contact info, send them a short and sweet introductory letter about what you do, and offer to send samples of your work...or include links they can use. Then follow up with a call a few days later, just saying you want to 'make sure you received my information'. This works really well for me. Sometimes I get work just in response to the emails I send! Other times, its via initial call or followup call. Remember too that timing is everything, and that most people won't have a need the first time you get in touch, so you want to have a regular program of scheduled cold calling, where you 'touch base' with propects once a month....you can do this very effectively via voicemail, call them sper early in the morning and just say, "Happy Friday, am just checking in to see if you have any upcoming needs for copywriting assistance. I forwarded some information to you last month and am happy to answer any quesitons you may have...jane smith xxxx xx. Always leave your number twice in a voicemail, that way they won't have to relisten to your message beccause they can't quickly find a pen. By checking in with these early morning voice messages, you save time, and will be top of mind for when they do have a need and by leaving the vm, you're not interrupting them in the middle of something. I've gotten work months after my initial contact from people who held onto my information or were reminded when I checked in. It works. :) Pam |
| elena64 | Posted – 6/3/2008 3:33:12 PM | show profile Pam! Thank you for your thoughtful response. You can bet I will rely on your suggestions. Maybe cold calling isn't so bad after all. :) |
| observer | Posted – 6/3/2008 7:14:45 PM | show profile yes, Pam rocks! I always like reading her posts. also, you might expand your network on linkedin and once you have folks as your contacts you can connect to them - and friends of friends this way |
| cakey | Posted – 6/4/2008 8:11:00 AM | show profile what's appropriate? I'm still uncertain about LinkedIn protocol. Don't you risk alienating a second or third degree contact emailing them out of the blue with a pitch or to advertise your services? Maybe not. Still not sure how it works. |
| foodlit | Posted – 6/4/2008 10:24:39 AM | show profile I probably wouldnt' send a pitch directly through Linkedin, but would initiate contact outside of LinkedIn, using LinkedIn as a contact source. For two reasons, it could seem spammish through LinkedIn and many people don't regularly check their LinkedIn mail.Then either call or email directly to introduce your service. |
| jobhunter08 | Posted – 6/6/2008 4:48:39 PM | show profile I would say the best way to get over your fear of cold calling is to just do it. The more calls you make, the easier it gets. |
| JimmyG | Posted – 6/6/2008 4:56:20 PM | show profile Having been solicited many times by former co-workers to join their Linkedin circles, I find it obtrusive. If I were an employer, I'd consider it spam. I would email, then follow up by phone, then continue to follow up by email instead of the phone. I personally dislike being bothered by phone calls, and after the fourth or fifth call it starts to feel like harassment, whereas email feels more businesslike to me. |
