What is the best form of cold calling?

Question

What is the best approach to use when cold calling a small business?

-email
-telephone
-walk in

Answer 1

Call ahead and set up a time to meet. Choose a time when they're not busy, don't push too hard, and bring bagels or something with you.

Answer 2

You can't expect to find one method that will work with all businesses. It's called doing your homework...find out how a business does business...do they have a policy against cold calls, walk ins, etc.? Do they have a receptionist who has been trained to screen out cold calls? Do they have an email system that weeds out and deletes emails from people looking to drum up business (my workplace has all of these).

A little research will result in less of your time being wasted banging on doors, writing emails or calling people who won't want to pick up the phone.

If you just cold call everyone, you could very well alienate a potential client who would have been more receptive to you had you called and made an appointment.

That said, the telephone seems to be the best of these three...if you can't get through directly to the contact you need to speak to, the person who does answer the phone may be able to tell you how best to deal with that contact...if he or she prefers emails, phone calls at a specific time, or a face to face, etc.

That person can also give you more direct contact information ie a direct email address or phone number for the person you're trying to connect with. They may be able to schedule a phone meeting or a face to face for you at that person's convenience so they don't have to drop what they're doing to see you. They can also give you little bits of information that can help you establish rapport with your contact faster...how does he or she like to be addressed? Is he or she a chatter or do they like to get right down to business immediately...

Answer 3

"cold" calling is best called something else, so that it is an achievable goal. You most likely are first wanting to find out if the person/company is a "qualified' buyer. so ou have a 50/50 chance of making that goal. Walking in is helpful in terms of finding out the contact name and title. In most companies you'll not be able to see the person. receptionists if they have one, can be good sources of information. email is o.k. once you've established a bit of a relationship. Also many companies screen out those type of emails. The biggest thing in all these calls is consistency, consistency, consistency. Most salespeople get slow, make a slew of calls, get busy and that's it. It's the salesperson that keeps in touch via snail mail, calls over a period of time, is who they will remember.

Answer 4

Depending on who you are calling, but walk in is best I think, b/c very few times will you get pushed out the door, but it's easy for them to hang up by just saying "gotta go, bye." *click* If you're attractive, walking in can be to your advantage, b/c those working at the front will be more likely to be receptive. If you're not attractive, telephoning may be best. Unfortunately, social scientists have proven that it's true: attractive people are viewed as nicer, more intelligent, etc.
E-mail is the easiest, but also the least likely to be effective. Direct mail is effective, depending on what you're selling, and to whom.

Answer 5

Brian Tracy suggests the best way is to telephone them. Once you get them on the phone, immediately thank them for taking the time... "Thanks for taking the time to talk with me, I know you're busy."

Immediately tell them why you are calling and what's in it for them. If they are interested in learning more, make an appointment. Remember, the only purpose of your call is to make an appointment!

Thanks for asking,
Rod

Learn how to get all the referrals you can handle in just 17 minutes or less... http://www.sendoutcards.com/Rod_The_Card_Man

Answer 6

Definately a walk in. It is easy to reject you on the phone. Email is second best, if you have the person in charge's email address. Just a general address to the company isn't good.

Answer 7

Phone

e-mail people will ignore unless youve established yourself
walk in- people will either feel obligated to talk to you not have the time to talk, or maybe they will.

Phone if you get rejected they are less likely to remember in several months, they are less likely to get upset that you are being intrusive.

Direct Mail works well too.

Answer 8

Whenever possible, walk in. Be polite and most of all, be patient! You may be advised to call for an appointment in the future, but since you are there...

Answer 9

telephone.