Cold Calling 101: 13 Steps to Cold Calls That Work!

Cold Calling Step #1: Cold calling can't hurt you.The first step to effective cold calling is to realize that cold calls aren’t going to hurt you. Many salespeople are so scared of potential rejection that they hold back when it comes to taking risks with cold calling.
                               
Cold Calling Step #2: Make cold calling a game.Cold calling is about numbers. It’s about pushing through potential rejection until you ultimately get through to a prospect who’s a good fit, is willing to have a conversation with you, and might lead to a next step.                                
Cold Calling Step #3: Be willing to take risks.

I know it might seem like this step is repeating some earlier ideas, but it’s so important, I can’t emphasize this enough.
                       
Cold Calling Step #4: Warm it up as much as possible.I don't mean get warmed up for the call; I mean warm up the actual cold calling interaction with the prospect as much as possible—before it happens.             
                               
Cold Calling Step #5: Script out the entire call.I get more pushback on this idea than almost any other sales advice I give. So many salespeople tell me, “Oh, I don’t like to use a script. It makes me sound scripted.” My response is always the same.                                
Cold Calling Script #6: Know your first seven seconds cold.We don't often think about how we're initially introducing ourselves to prospects.                               
Cold Calling Step #7: The more you talk about you, the worse you do.The data shows that when salespeople talk about themselves or their own companies, they do significantly worse with prospects. The more you talk about yourself when cold calling, the worse you’ll do.
                               
Cold Calling Step #8: Focus on the challenges you're seeing.During cold calling, one of the best ways to engage prospects in conversation is to focus on the challenges you're seeing in the marketplace. This will show that you have your finger on the pulse of what's actually happening.
                               
Cold Calling Step #9: Engage them to start talking.As I said before, the more prospects start to talk in a meaningful way, the more likely they are to stay on the phone with you, and the most likely you are to schedule a next step that turns into a sale. While so many salespeople are focused on pitching whatever it is that they sell, they should instead be engaging prospects in a true dialogue.
                               
Cold Calling Step #10: Dig into what's really going on.Once you’ve got the prospect talking, don’t go into pitch mode. When a prospect says, "Actually, one of the challenges we're dealing with is this," don't say, "Well, I've got the solution for you!"                                
Cold Calling Step #11: Get that next step locked in.This is the most important part of cold calling. You absolutely must establish a next step. I always ask salespeople, “What's the purpose of a prospecting call, or a cold call?” They respond, “To get a sale.” But that’s not true.
        
Cold Calling Step #12: Confirm the next step.When you get someone to agree to a meeting, while you're on the phone with them, send out a calendar invite. Make sure that it gets into their inbox, and that they accept the invite.
                                                              
Cold Calling Step #13: Don't run away from the phone after each call.As I said before, cold calling is about numbers. It’s about making a lot of dials. The difference between cold calling that’s effective and cold calling that gets you nowhere is simply a matter of picking up the phone right after you hang up with your last prospect. Get right back onto the phone, dial the next number, and keep pushing through.
                               
So, there you have it. Now you know Cold Calling 101, and you learned the 13 steps to cold calls that work. I want to hear from you. Which of these ideas did you find most useful? Be sure to share below in the comments sections to get involved in the conversation. If you enjoyed this, check out my free eBook on 25 tips to crush your sales goals.

[CesarChavezPhotos]

1 - They can't hurt you
2 - MAke it a game
3 - Be willing to take risks
4 - Warm it up as much as possible
5 - Script out the entire call
6 - Know your first 7 seconds cold
7 - The more you talk about yourself, the worse you do
8 - Focus on the challenges you're seeing
9 - Engage them to start talking
10 - Dig into what is really going on
11 - Get that next step locked in
12 - Confirm the next step
13 - Dont run away from the phone after each call

[JCarter]

Here's a tip: Quit watching this video and dial the numbers. It's a great video from a great channel but that was how I got 3 appointments today. Just do it. Then do it again. And again :). Nobody says it's easy, but ya gotta do it. You never know, you may possibly meet a new best friend or find your way to a giant account with that one special phone call in the middle of all the other pointless calls. (Do it now!)

[storytimewcami]

Some will, some won’t, so what. NEXT! I’m going to remember that💪🏾🙌🏾

[unitewithch]

After cold calling for IT services for over 10 years the #1 downside to cold calls is NOT Rejection, it's making X number of dial's daily and only getting maybe 1 or 2 people on the phone. Once you get that person on the phone, it's then having the mental energy to actually be able to have an intelligible conversation.

Today, cold calling is an increased amount of work for much less payoff compared to even 5 years ago.

[brothersvanhees]

Rather than worrying about the entire call going smoothly it really helps me just focusing on my opening going really well! That usually paves the way for a smooth chat with a prospect and seems less daunting

[Vinh]

I used your sales pitch techniques for an interview. The COO was so impressed I got an offer that day. They made their decision halfway through and said most sales people are not as interactive or engaging. I used the PowerPoint and then went to the whiteboard. They said they had no time to look at their phone and felt their concerns mattered.

Thank You

[goodmanwiseman]

The script advice is great. You don't necessarily use every aspect of the script, but you do practice it and you do have it ready to go during the call so you can always keep your flow and momentum.

[MEUProductions]

My job makes me book 5-7 sales visits per day, three times a week exclusively through cold calling over two days. It's brutal.

This video gave me quite a bit of encouragement. Thank you.

[jamesburnett]

I can really relate to this video. Working in a small company which is only two years old; I am making a lot of cold calls- a lot. I enjoy it more now. I have gotten over my personal bias and negative beliefs. Research where, what, why, how, what is happening before calling if you have the time. Watch comedy before. Happiness, laughing, makes you smarter- neuroscience tip, and it works.

[michaellopez]

to pick up the phone and start dialing. Don't procrastinate, just pick up the phone and get the reps in

[GilliMarieMoody]

Unlike resumes, cold calls actually get me work within 1-3 weeks(!).

[martinmardov]

Hello,
I've been in cold calling for many years. I agree to the following:
1. First impression 2. TALK to the prospect 3. Be on point 4. Follow the pitch 5.Get the prospect talking about himself 6. Number of calls 7. Get the next step confirmed

[dakotamcree]

I never really realized, but the whole “they can’t hurt you” step really is all that stops me. If I can understand that, I’ll own it all :)

[ThierryHenry]

Very good tips Mark. Don't stop calling until you get what you want. Use momentum because it s a number game. More call more chance to get a YES. 💯

[kennedyjustinen]

Hey Marc, I found the first 7 seconds tip the most useful. Followed by immediately mentioning what the purpose of the call is, asking the prospect if the challenge you see is something they can relate to, engage them in the convo

[VinnyLicari]

Awesome video, thanks for the help. Going to listen all week

[MyTEEsharp]

“When you’re not afraid of making that mistake, GOOD things happen!” Truer words have never been spoken! God Bless!

[calebeverist]

Mark, the last 12 out of 13 People I reached by phone all responded friendlier and asked me how I was doing after I applied your tip; “how have you been”. You are right, it disrupts their pattern of thought. I’ve coupled that with changing to a softer tonality as you’ve suggested in another video and I’m finding the calls are kicking off in a much better way, I’m getting more people to hear me out and less objections/hang up. Great content, keep it coming!

[felixjurcak]

I just want to say THANKS! I am fresh new in sales bussiness and its hard like really hard. And my job is to cold calling. I had my first call today (11/07/2019) and I almost run from office because I was stressed out ass hell! Then I opened YT searched for "cold calling tips and tricks" watched your video and my first call was succesfull... I had only 4 more calls after that 2 of them ended with rejection but still thanks. I will definitely get better in this with your help. Thanks a lot again keep up doing great work!

[heliomachadodosreisjunior]

Marc, thank you a lot for your video. For me, the most interesting tip to improve my results is that the more you talk about you, the worse you do. I have to learn how to listen more and ask the right questions to nail a sale.