No matter what industry you find yourself in, if you are an entrepreneur, you will eventually need to master the art of the cold call in order to expand your empire. However, if you follow these simple tips, there is nothing to fear! If the pressure is getting to you, take a deep breath and remember that the person on the other end of the line has had to do the same thing in the past. This should win you their patience for the first 30 seconds – so here’s how to make sure you give a great first impression.
1 – Don’t overthink it!
Practice is more important than analyzation here. The more you think about this the more worked up you’ll be. In order to fine-tune your “elevator pitch,” leave yourself voicemails and listen back to them until you’re confident.
2 - Make a script but don’t expect to stick to it
Write yourself an outline that you can check off to make sure you get the important points, but please don’t read word-for-word. That screams “I’m here to talk and not listen.”
3- Be warm, relaxed and professional.
Get yourself in the networking mindframe – you are here to make a connection. Using emotion-based words (ex: feel, resonate, stress) in the conversation will help you connect. Also ask yourself, how can I bring value to the other person - even if I’m asking for a favor? Allude to that to foster a connection
4- Don’t sell everything.
Remember, you are just calling to get the ball rolling. Ask to schedule a follow-up phone call or in-person meeting if you think you need more than 10 minutes.
5- Keep the conversation alive.
The best way to accomplish this is by asking open-ended questions and thought provoking statements. This is something you’d want to put in your script.
6 – Any scheduling should be concrete.
How does your Thursday look?” “I’m in your area all the time; can I stop by?” “When are the best times to call and follow up?”
7- MOST IMPORTANT: Confidence and comfort in working with the material is key.
Know the answers to the 5W questions of the top of your head and get a great 15-20 second pitch before you start calling. For more info on how to do that, check out this awesome article: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/elevator-pitch.htm
