Marketing is a crucial part of business development and there are a lot of ways to do it. One of the most challenging and frustrating methods of marketing is cold calling, but it is also one of the most effective. The cold calling technique is one way to directly market to customers or prospects using the telephone. In the business-to-business sector, this is used primarily to sell product or services, set appointments, and generate leads. It basically refers to contacting an unfamiliar person or company, introducing the service or product being offered after which the telemarketer tries to make a sale. The people being contacted are called “prospects”, who may or may not have a requirement for the product or service. Cold calling can be a stressful task for most people, but there are some who do extremely well at it. For those who feel intimidated by it or are hesitant to make their first cold call, there are tips that can help phone representatives make good cold calls.
For effective cold calls, agents or telemarketers must make each call count. The more calls they make, the higher their chances of making a sale or setting an appointment. Below are few of the things that they can do to achieve cold calling success:
Be persistent. Persistence is an essential aspect of any telemarketing or cold calling campaign. Agents must keep calling and never give up when a prospect declines. Generally, telemarketers are able to make one sale or appointment out of ten contacts. Of course, this ratio can be lower or higher depending on the quality of the prospecting list, and the will of the agents to get that sale. Some telemarketers would lose hope after three to five attempts. But, as most salespeople say, cold calling is a numbers game. Again, the more calls made, the higher the chances are of making a sale. So, never stop calling.
Have a good list of prospects to call. Many businesses fail to realize that success in cold calling can be achieved by having a good list. Building good, well-targeted calling lists requires time and analysis. Sure you can use recycled or inexpensive list in your campaigns, but, your chances of getting favorable results are slim and none. Do not use outdated and over-saturated lists. Companies that engage in telemarketing activities should not hesitate to spend extra dollars on high-quality lists. Telemarketers can maximize their cold calling efforts if they have good prospects to call.
Be prepared. Preparation is a must in any task, and cold-calling is no exception. Preparing and planning for the right cold callers, the right call guide and a good list can take your telemarketing campaigns to greater heights.
For effective cold calls, agents or telemarketers must make each call count. The more calls they make, the higher their chances of making a sale or setting an appointment. Below are few of the things that they can do to achieve cold calling success:
Be persistent. Persistence is an essential aspect of any telemarketing or cold calling campaign. Agents must keep calling and never give up when a prospect declines. Generally, telemarketers are able to make one sale or appointment out of ten contacts. Of course, this ratio can be lower or higher depending on the quality of the prospecting list, and the will of the agents to get that sale. Some telemarketers would lose hope after three to five attempts. But, as most salespeople say, cold calling is a numbers game. Again, the more calls made, the higher the chances are of making a sale. So, never stop calling.
Have a good list of prospects to call. Many businesses fail to realize that success in cold calling can be achieved by having a good list. Building good, well-targeted calling lists requires time and analysis. Sure you can use recycled or inexpensive list in your campaigns, but, your chances of getting favorable results are slim and none. Do not use outdated and over-saturated lists. Companies that engage in telemarketing activities should not hesitate to spend extra dollars on high-quality lists. Telemarketers can maximize their cold calling efforts if they have good prospects to call.
Be prepared. Preparation is a must in any task, and cold-calling is no exception. Preparing and planning for the right cold callers, the right call guide and a good list can take your telemarketing campaigns to greater heights.
Usually I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this article really forced me to do so! Thanks, really nice article telemarketing
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