Ahhh, the Cold Call....Don't Hang Up!

You don't know them; they don't know you, but here you are on the phone. What to do? Well folks, it's your job- on either end of the phone.

Over 18 years in technology and when working for myself I can't even begin to calculate how many cold calls I've made. As a business owner, I can't tell you how many I've received. Here's the thing about cold calls, they are necessessary. They make the world go around. That's how business gets done.

There's likely thousands of books on the art of the cold call, but in the end it comes down to two humans on either end trying to see if their goals align. So if you're on the receiving end, give them the benefit of the doubt, be kind, they are just doing their job. It's your job to see if there's a better way of doing what you're doing. They might have it. And for goodness sake, don't hang up on people! That's just unprofessional.

If you are making the call, be respectful of their time and priorities. Do your research before you pick up that phone. Know something about the company, at least a few minutes on their website. Look at their title, it's OK to not know what they do exactly, but know what you don't know so you can ask. Listen more than talk.Vomitting everything you have to offer in the first two minutes of the call - also unprofessional.

So I guess in the end it boils down to be kind and patient, working together to see if you should be talking, and keep it professional - then cold calls can be more like warm baths. :)

Lillian