VA – How Cold Calling Works?
Definition
Cold calling is defined by Google as the solicitation of potential customers who had no prior interaction with salespeople. Basically, it involves calling random numbers to upsell your product or services and hoping the other person answers. This approach is similar to door-to-door sales. It still works to some degree, even in 2024. I’m not exactly sure when it started, but trying to get leads has been one of the most profitable ways to gain customers.
Effectiveness
You could spend a lot of money on advertisements, but sometimes that doesn’t work. So, you actually need to dial telephone numbers in your area or a particular region to introduce your product or services. The term “cold” means that the person is not aware of who you are. Based on my experience, 85% of your calls will go to voicemail. Personally, for the first two weeks, it was wonderful because I was really afraid to take calls. But as soon as I got the hang of it, I felt bored because it seemed like I was earning money without actually getting results from my clients.
Challenges
I was annoyed by voicemails. Sometimes, the remaining 15% of calls are rejections, verbal abuse, or name-calling. I tend to speak a little bit fast, and my accent is still not Western or American, so people often think I’m a scammer. This was demotivating because I was trying to offer a service that would help them, but I was considered a scammer.
Understanding Rejection
In the States, many people receive cold calls and hate them. I personally receive cold calls and hate them too, so I understand their sentiments. Out of the remaining 15%, 12% are outright rejections. The remaining 2% might listen but still reject your offer. These are the people who actually listen to you but reject you personally. Within this 2%, some might give a soft “no” but eventually might say “yes.” This is where we start recording information on what might resonate with them.
Strategies
Out of an 8-hour shift, that 2% might mean 2 calls that need follow-up. The last 1% are those calls that show interest. You can offer a scheduled callback to your clients or refer them to an expert who can discuss it more. If you have 100 calls in a day, it’s hard to filter them down. Once you get the 1%, what happens to the 85%? You call them the next day or the day after. I’ve learned it’s better to call them again after a few days.
Persistence
If you call them twice in the same day, they will hate you. If you call the next day, they will still hate you, but if you call after a few days, they might not be as pissed off.
Conclusion
When it comes to cold calling, you need to understand how to face rejection. If you don’t like rejection, this is the best place for you to learn to handle it. I have had many phones dropped on me during my journey, and there are a lot of pranks as well, which put a smile on my face. The pranks get funnier every time. People should try cold calling because it toughens your skin, especially in this day and age.
Ian Tanpiuco is an ESL and virtual assistant. With a decade of experience, he has become an expert in his field. Dedicated to helping others achieve their goals, Ian works tirelessly in the classroom or as a virtual assistant.