Problem taliking on the phone to shops I want to sell my work to - want to sound professional?

Question

I have started to make ceramics for use in the kitchen and need to call buyers and set it up so I can email them photos and details of my work. The trouble is I absolutely hate using the phone and need to know what to day without sounding dumb and amateurish, which I'm not - but you'd never know from the way I speak on the phone.
It has to be calls first, just emails won't do. Or will they? If you know anything about this area e.g if it's your job to receive calls like mine, then I would dearly love to hear from you. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

When I started out with my ceramics and catering business....I went to see the businesses. People usually want to know who they are going to deal with and want to actually see the product they're going to be selling. I think you need to do this just to establish contacts. Once you have business with them...they may opt to use a web site to look at your other products. Also...by doing business face to face....you are letting them know that you can provide a personal service. Also...depending on the type of store/business you're appealing to...they may not have use of a computer. They also need to see the product so they can look at the quality of the work. Most savvy business owners would never agree to sell something to their customers that they know nothing about. It takes business owners at least 5 years to establish a customer base and they don't want to start ripping them off.
If you have difficulty speaking...you can take a public speaking course at a local college or take a friend with you until you are comfortable enough doing it on your own. Write down what you want to say and memorize it. It's called a sales pitch.

Answer 2

Go with 'mhchicet'