I feel like a lot of people get a little intimidated when they hear about cold calling. The idea of calling someone out of the blue and probably facing rejection can be really scary. But in my experience, cold calling remains key when it comes to generating leads, even despite the digital wave. In my readings, I’ve gotten to learn some things about cold calling that I find helpful and reassuring. It starts with researching a prospect, so I can tailor my pitch to their specific needs (this preparation is crucial). I find that using a script sort of as a flexible guide allows me to adapt the conversation naturally, which helps in building a genuine connection. This leads to establishing rapport, which is the main goal. I think it is really important to show real interest in the customer’s challenges and how I can help solve them.
Something we’ve discussed a little in class and that I’ve had the opportunity to learn more about is benefits versus features. I’ve learned to focus on the benefits of my offering, not just its features. How will my product make my customer’s life better or easier? One of the best things I’ve learned is to see objections as opportunities to deepen the conversation and clarify value, and even falling in love with rejection. I always feel like my approach can be better, so after each call, I reflect on what worked and what didn’t. I am constantly fine-tuning the words I say and the types of people I sell to. This reflective idea has helped to not only make cold calling a huge tool in my sales belt, but it has also made the entire idea of cold calling a lot less nerve-wracking, and a lot more effective and fun!
BoweryJE22