Learn to turn cold call anxiety into confidenceHome > Free Business Articles > Learn to turn cold call anxiety into confidenceIf you've been known to put off making cold calls, you're not alone. It's always easier to do the following activities to build your business before you actually make a brand-new, totally cold call.
1. Have A Plan It is so much easier to get started when you have a detailed list of accounts to call on. When entering a new industry, try and get in touch with someone who works in that industry with noncompetitive products and ask for a list of companies or accounts, or a recommendation for where you can get them. Once you have a list, gather background information on the companies. 2. Call With Confidence When you're not in the mood to cold-call, call one or two of your best customers and ask how they're doing. Sometimes hearing good things about your product or service lifts you up and reminds you why you're doing what you're doing in the first place. 3. Don't Give Up Don't forget that nothing teaches you how to cold-call like making cold calls! Just when it seems as though everyone is giving you the cold shoulder, someone take your call and you have a qualified appointment. That little triumph enhances your enthusiasm for the next call. Don't stop after a successful call, because it breeds success for the next call. 4. Learn To Be Comfortable Being Uncomfortable It's never easy when you first start making cold calls, but the fear is diminished by action. What people fear the most if the unknown. When you start learning by doing and see that success comes from not giving up, it gives you energy and confidence to keep going. There are not many people who love cold calling. But there is a way to feel comfortable doing it, and that is by doing it every day, even when you don't want to. Successful people do the things unsuccessful people don't like to do. 5. Get To Know Your Target Find out something about the person you're calling before or even during the call - what are his or her challenges, goals or hobbies? Later, follow up with relevant information, such as an article from a magazine that addresses those issues. Include a note that says, "Thought you'd enjoy the enclosed" - it will help open the door a little wider for the next call. 6. Be Polite Common courtesy goes a long way with everyone you speak with to get to the decision-maker. For instance, if you hear the phone ringing in the background, ask, "Do you need to get that? I can hold." 7. Push Face-to-Face Meetings When people ask you to send them something in the mail, try and arrange to meet up with them instead by saying, "I'd prefer to get together instead. How's this Thursday morning, or would the afternnon work better for you?" 8. Follow Up Sending handwritten thankyou notes right after the call to the receptionist, secretary, CEO or whoever helped you on the phone makes a lasting impression. 
|
Advertisments
